Tootsie's left fang is completely crooked - what the heck?

Mandy and Ellie · Jan 8, 2016

Tonight while my boyfriend and I were eating dinner, we both were watching Tootsie yawn. And at the same time realized we didn't see her left fang? We had NEVER noticed an issue before. We tried to look in her mouth and noticed her left fang is totally crooked, like it grew in that way. I never remember seeing it like this but then again, we may have just not noticed her adult fang (her kitten fang was totally straight). We tried examining it and noticed it looks like her bottom fang is pushing toward the top one that's crooked. When do cats lose their baby teeth? Tootsie is about a year and a half old, born June 28th of 2014.

I tried getting photos, but it was nearly impossible since she has SUCH a small, smooshed Persian face.

I plan on making her a vet appt tomorrow but we're in an awkward spot since we're wanting to switch to a local highly-rated feline-only vet. I'm not sure when we'll be able to get in since they're more popular than our old/current vet.

I'm wondering how urgent this is? Has anyone seen this before? She had no reaction when I pushed on it. I planned on getting her and Ellie full dentals but was waiting until summer when I graduate college and get graduation money (and am working full time!). But if it's urgent I am obviously willing to charge it. Like I said, I plan on getting a vet's opinion but would really appreciate insight if anyone has experienced this!

I apologize for the blurry photos. Squirmy cat with a small mouth + iPhone camera don't = good results!

Mandy and Ellie · Jan 8, 2016

Okay, so I went back through old photos to see if I noticed it. I looked closely at one from late April/early May of her yawning. I zoomed in (its kind of blurry) and it looks like it's been that way. I can see her right fang, but can't see the left one - and when I look closely I see it bent toward her front teeth. So weird.

Please excuse the scary jaw picture, she looks evil LOL

Also, I could've sworn I posted this in Health and Nutrition. :fustSorry about that mods.

10cats2dogs · Jan 8, 2016

Hi Mandy!
I would be concerned, if, it looked like her fang was causing any other mouth problems, like if she was in danger of her crooked tooth, pushing through her lip, for example, or rubbing a spot raw, inside her lip...
So, as long as you don't see any other mouth issues...I personally, don't think it's an emergency...
I hope someone else has some thoughts for you!
Sharon

Arianwen · Jan 8, 2016

If this was new, I'd make an immediate appointment but if this is normal for her and is causing no problems then it is not an emergency. Think of how many people have by nature crooked teeth - animals don't worry about aesthetics so as long as she isn't in pain, it won't worry her.

Mandy and Ellie · Jan 8, 2016

Thanks so much for the responses, Sharon and Arianwen! It definitely helped calm my nerves. At first, we were both so shocked and thought something happened - then we realized it seems to have always been there since her adult teeth grew in and we just never noticed. It's so odd because I've never seen such crooked teeth in a cat before! haha the rest of her teeth are nice and straight, and luckily the crooked tooth doesn't appear to be causing any issues and the gums look fine. I'm guessing it grew in wonky because her baby tooth came out late or something? I'm just glad to hear it doesn't appear to be urgent. I plan on taking her in for a checkup in the next few weeks at the new vet but was definitely wanting to do the dental cleanings in the summer when my finances and schedule are better.

bluemilk · Feb 5, 2016

You may want to have it looked at, just to make sure it won't cause problems down the line. Does she notice it at all? Maybe it's something she can live with, look at Steve Buscemi! :lol:

Tootsie's left fang is completely crooked - what the heck?

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