I Lost My Teeth! My Experience At The Dentist

Help! Help! Someone took my teeth! If you happen to find two canines, a molar, and two more teeth please return them to Lola The Rescued Cat! 

 *giggle giggle* Sorry, I couldn’t resist being silly. Hello, and happy Friday! Last month (on November 7, to be exact) I went to the dentist and I wanted to tell you all about my experience. The saga with my teeth actually started a while back. You see, when I was adopted almost seven years ago my two top canine teeth were already broken (life on the street was a little tough, what can I say?), but it never seemed to be a big deal until recently. When I went to my vet, Dr. Sheheri, in October she was a little concerned about how they were looking so she recommended that I go to a dental specialist to have my canines removed. She also thought that it was possible that bacteria was entering my broken teeth and could be one of the reasons that I’m stuffy, sneezy, and have a chronic runny nose.

As you can see, I wasn’t so happy to hear that news. 

Getting ready for the vet that day was a little traumatic, and I got so upset I had a nosebleed when I came out of the carrier at the office. Dr. Sheheri was a little concerned about that as well, so she did a test and found that I have obstructed breathing in one of my nostrils. Because of this, she suggested I get a CT scan of my nasal cavity while I was at the specialist and would already be under anesthesia. 

I wasn’t happy about that, either! Will tried to make me feel a little better. 

He tried hard, but I was still upset about losing my teeth! I have a public persona to keep up with and I always need to look my best. I was afraid of losing my cuteness.

Dr. Sheheri recommended one of the best dental specialists around, Dr. Carmichael. Mommy tried to get an appointment with him at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, but I couldn’t be seen until February! Can you imagine that? Dr. Carmichael also sees patients at the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island in West Islip, and I was able to get an appointment with both him and the internist on the same day early in November. 

Mommy and I took off for Long Island early in the morning. I was a good girl on the ride, and only meowed a little bit (and I didn’t pee in the carrier.) 

Since it was Election Day there was less traffic than usual and the drive was pretty smooth. When we arrived, there were a lot of patients in the waiting room, and I was one of only three cats waiting. I wasn’t used to being around so many dogs because Lexy and I go to a cat only vet. But they were all well behaved and Mommy kept my carrier safe. Here I am in the waiting room.

After my intake with the nice Vet Tech, Alex, who only works in the dental department, I figured I’d make the best of things and pose for a few photos. 

I decided to freshen up a bit before the doctors came in.

Dr. Carmichael and his intern, Dr. Goodman, came in to speak with Mommy about why we were there and to check my teeth. Dr. Carmichael said it looked like my canines would have to come out, but x-rays would have to be taken to be sure. He also pointed out another tooth that looked decayed. Dr. Carmichael’s opinion was that it is very possible that my bad teeth were contributing to my nasal problems. He swept me away for a couple of minutes to quickly discuss this with the internist, who agreed with him, so we decided we would hold off on the CT scan for now. 

We had to wait a few more minutes for me to be admitted. I was starting to get a little nervous! 

After another vet tech came in and gave us the estimate, I gave Mommy a kiss and she gave me a hug and I was off to the operating room. (Of course, she asked a bazillion questions before she left. The most important thing she wanted to know was how I would be monitored during the procedure. When she found out that one Licensed Vet Tech would be assigned to monitor me the whole time, she felt a lot better.)

Lucky for Mommy she has friends who live in that area, so she met them for lunch and passed some time with them. After that, she did a little shopping and then went back to the clinic to wait for me. Dr. Carmichael called her twice – once right after my procedure, and again when I woke up from the anesthesia. Wasn’t that nice of him? 

When she picked me up she was surprised to find out that I had FIVE teeth pulled! The x-rays showed that my canines were very decayed, so out they came! I also had a molar and two other teeth removed. Don’t worry, though, because I was not feeling any pain! I was given my pain medication via injection, as well as my antibiotics, so Mommy didn’t have to worry about giving me any medication at home. 

It was probably a good thing I was on medication because the ride home was LONG! It started pouring down rain and the traffic was terrible (or so Mommy tells me.) I just relaxed in my carrier in the back seat. 

I was still a little out of it when I got home. 

But then something called a paradoxical reaction started. Instead of being sedated I was a little hyper and agitated. I jumped on Mommy’s lap and rolled and rolled and rubbed and rubbed on her until I almost fell off! Then I started walking around the house… and walking, and walking, and walking. And meowing, and meowing and meowing. Lexy wasn’t quite sure what to make of all of this, so she just left me alone for the most part. A few times she came over and licked my head to make me feel better, but she was very patient. The medication was a slow release which lasted 72 hours, so for three nights Mommy didn’t sleep very much. (Sorry, Mommy!) She said I was high as a kite, so I posted this on Facebook: 

Hi, friends! I thought I'd give you a little update on what's going on. Well, Mommy says I'm "high as a kite", but that doesn't make any sense to me because I'm not in the sky, I'm on the ground! She can't get a picture of me tonight because all I do is walk, walk, walk around the house. My pain medication, which was given by injection, is extended release and lasts 72 hours. Hmmm.... I guess that means Mommy won't be getting any sleep! MOL I don't really have any swelling and the best news is I'm eating! Lexy is very unimpressed with my walking about and is just ignoring me for the most part. At least she didn't hiss at me when I came home from the vet. As soon as I stand still long enough we'll post some photos. 

After 72 hours Mommy was very happy I was back to my sweet little self. You know what the worst part was? I couldn’t eat dry food for ten whole days! Mommy played it safe and waited 12 days until she gave me some. She wasn’t going to give us dry food again at all, but I lost some weight and she wanted to fatten me up a little bit. 

I went for a follow up last week, and I’m doing good! I wasn’t very happy about going back to the vet, so I peed in the carrier. Like, a lot. (Sorry, Mommy!) Dr. Sheheri said it may take a little while for my nose issues to go away, and possibly I may need a course of antibiotics, but we’ll see.  We’re playing it by ear for now, and I’ll keep you all posted. I did lose a ½ pound, which is most likely because the dry food stopped. I’m eating like a horse now so I’m sure the weight will come back on in no time. 

This post was a little longer than I planned, but before I end I want to thank a very special friend, Coryelle Kramer.   We first heard about Coryelle on Sweet Purrfections and we’ve since had two readings with her. Coryelle is just amazing, and we’re so glad we connected with her. She gave us good insight and advice and sent me healing for a while. (It really did help me!) Thank you, Coryelle, for caring so much about all of us. I’ll be meowing with you again soon! 

The next step in my journey is clearing up my nose. We’ve got some ideas that we’re going to be looking into, and we’ll share all of that someday soon. 

One last thing… if you live in the New York area and need specialty dental for your cat, Dr. Carmichael is your man. And if you need any specialty vet, VMCLI is the place to go. Mommy was very impressed from the moment she pulled into the parking lot and saw this little garden. 

Everyone was very professional and caring, and the clinic was immaculate and smelled clean, too. 

Thanks for reading about my dental experience! And by the way, I think I still look cute! MOL 

Lola