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I’m sharing Peaches recent tooth resorption story in hopes others can learn from my experience and spot this common dental issue before it’s too late and they have to pull out your cat’s teeth 
What is Tooth Resorption?
“Feline tooth resorption is a condition in which the body begins breaking down and absorbing the structures that form the tooth. The process usually starts in the enamel along the gum line and continues towards the center of the tooth. Eventually, the tooth will be almost entirely gone. All that will remain is a raised bump on the gums.”
It looks like this:
Online it says it develops around 5 yrs of age but Peaches is only 3 yrs and 9 mo.
What happened?? I brush her teeth regularly. She has oral drops in her water. She does her Annual Wellness Checks on time until last yr our vet clinic has stopped doing their annual reminder phone calls for it due to a high staff turnover due to Covid. Within 6 months, my cat went from not needing dental cleanings to now needing her tooth extracted. Estimated to cost around $2k CAD.
I should’ve noticed that the last two months Peaches has been giving me a harder time brushing her teeth. She seems to be a lot more uncooperative but she never meowed or moaned or anything. It’s so subtle this slipped by me.
The tooth with the issue is her tiny pre molar on the lower jaw (almost fully covered by her gum) that I can’t see (didn’t know existed?) during brushing ‘coz it’s the tooth that gets covered by that extra flap on the inside of her mouth/lips:
Around that “missed” Annual Wellness check I have come to learn that Peaches and Harley’s vet has quit. I just felt let down because I was relying on them to be on top of these doctor things given I’m aware that Sphynxes are known to be a lot more prone to dental problems. I just didn’t know these things could escalate so quickly.
Anyway, I hope my story helps a lot of people because this is really shitty. I thought I was on top of things doing the best I can (I have 5 diff types of toothbrushes) yet it wasn’t enough
I’m going for a second opinion tom just bec I really don’t like how our previously good vet clinic is not as good anymore without their original vet. They still don’t allow owners inside their clinic as a Covid precaution.
We just drop our cats so communication is hard. It was my partner who picked up the cats today and all he remembered was Peaches might be in pain coz of her teeth and hands me this estimate if we want to go ahead with dental cleaning and extraction. They didn’t even prescribe any pain meds in the meantime.
How often do you guys get your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned??
When I asked why they never did dental cleaning on P they just said it wasn’t needed before. It’s just frustrating that this happened is all. So unnecessary and feel like it could’ve been prevented with more education and also if they had not stopped those reminder calls. I didn’t forget about it more like I might as well wait a little longer so both cats wellness visit can happen the same day. But yep, very bad move…
Here is Peaches just getting some extra loving from us:
What is Tooth Resorption?
“Feline tooth resorption is a condition in which the body begins breaking down and absorbing the structures that form the tooth. The process usually starts in the enamel along the gum line and continues towards the center of the tooth. Eventually, the tooth will be almost entirely gone. All that will remain is a raised bump on the gums.”
It looks like this:
Online it says it develops around 5 yrs of age but Peaches is only 3 yrs and 9 mo.
What happened?? I brush her teeth regularly. She has oral drops in her water. She does her Annual Wellness Checks on time until last yr our vet clinic has stopped doing their annual reminder phone calls for it due to a high staff turnover due to Covid. Within 6 months, my cat went from not needing dental cleanings to now needing her tooth extracted. Estimated to cost around $2k CAD.
I should’ve noticed that the last two months Peaches has been giving me a harder time brushing her teeth. She seems to be a lot more uncooperative but she never meowed or moaned or anything. It’s so subtle this slipped by me.
The tooth with the issue is her tiny pre molar on the lower jaw (almost fully covered by her gum) that I can’t see (didn’t know existed?) during brushing ‘coz it’s the tooth that gets covered by that extra flap on the inside of her mouth/lips:
Around that “missed” Annual Wellness check I have come to learn that Peaches and Harley’s vet has quit. I just felt let down because I was relying on them to be on top of these doctor things given I’m aware that Sphynxes are known to be a lot more prone to dental problems. I just didn’t know these things could escalate so quickly.
Anyway, I hope my story helps a lot of people because this is really shitty. I thought I was on top of things doing the best I can (I have 5 diff types of toothbrushes) yet it wasn’t enough
I’m going for a second opinion tom just bec I really don’t like how our previously good vet clinic is not as good anymore without their original vet. They still don’t allow owners inside their clinic as a Covid precaution.
We just drop our cats so communication is hard. It was my partner who picked up the cats today and all he remembered was Peaches might be in pain coz of her teeth and hands me this estimate if we want to go ahead with dental cleaning and extraction. They didn’t even prescribe any pain meds in the meantime.
How often do you guys get your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned??
When I asked why they never did dental cleaning on P they just said it wasn’t needed before. It’s just frustrating that this happened is all. So unnecessary and feel like it could’ve been prevented with more education and also if they had not stopped those reminder calls. I didn’t forget about it more like I might as well wait a little longer so both cats wellness visit can happen the same day. But yep, very bad move…
Here is Peaches just getting some extra loving from us:
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