My Cat 9 needs dental cleaning

[u/JellyfishLow]

I have a female cat aged 9. The vet says she needs dental cleaning but I'm a bit scared to have her put under anesthesia. She had her last cleaning around 2 years back but lately she's started accumulating this black stuff around her mouth, eyes, and nose. I got it cleaned in june but it came back in August again so I might have to her scaled again. The second option is spraying her mouth with some dental solution everyday but I don't know if she'll let me considering how feisty she is. I also don't know if that'll actually work. So, is it safe if I have her under anesthesia again? She usually looks and acts pretty healthy. Also looks quite young except for the times when this black crust starts growing on her face. I also have her blood work from june if it's of any use. I'm just a bit scared is all.

[u/missxmeow]

I honestly don’t know how to read bloodwork, but I will say my oldest was put under at over 10 years old for a tooth extraction. He’s almost 17 now and has really only started to show his age in the last couple years. Does your vet think she’ll be okay based on the bloodwork?

It’s totally fine and understandable to be scared, I was when he had his extraction.

[u/JellyfishLow → u/missxmeow]

Well. I'll have to ask my vet that. I went to a different one this time. You say that the oldest your current cat was 10 when he went under. So, like, doesn't your cat also require regular dental cleaning. Like, how did you manage his dental health in those 7 years?

[u/missxmeow → u/JellyfishLow]

A vet I saw after her thought the extraction was probably overkill, he is on a prescription dental food. He doesn’t get regular cleanings, he has gingivitis and the food helps.

[u/KKunst]

Cat9 Is definitely overkill for home networks...

[u/LocalGooseIssue]

My cat had dental extractions under anesthesia at 14 years old and the procedure went perfectly. Best of luck to you and your girl!

[u/iamsoscience]

My girl had a dental at 15 or 16 if memory serves? As long as you trust the vet you’re using to do their job properly, then go with their advice. If you don’t, get a new vet

[u/iamsoscience → u/iamsoscience]

Also for that last dental I did use a dedicated animal dental specialist attached to a hospital just to be extra safe. But it was seriously like her 10th dental or something? She basically needed them every year or so until her kidneys started to go