Cat question with loose tooth

[Richard]

I hate it when things happen on Saturday's and our vet is closed! (I really don't want to go to the emergency Vet if I can help this)

I just noticed that our cat's lower canine tooth (one of them) is evidently pointing out his mouth.

Essentially, it looks like it's been rotated in its socket and he's now trying to "work it" like he has peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth.

I'm guessing it's going to have to come out but other than acting like he's got peanut butter stuck on top of his mouth, there are ZERO indications he's in pain.

Emergency vet is 40 minutes away and probably expensive.

I'm pretty sure I could get him into my vet on Monday.

Since he doesn't appear to be in any pain, what say you?

I'm guessing this happened today. My wife was cuddling with him just this morning and we didn't notice this.

You can see the tooth protruding from his mouth.

Again....right now as I'm typing, I just discovered this and he's as calm as calm can be.... just laying on my desk like he always does. I wouldn't have even known this (by his actions) had I not noticed that he had "a string hanging from his lip"

 

[Fuddy1952]

We have cats.
We're not veterinarians or experts, but what I would do is once you're holding him, and he's relaxed you should be easily able to squeeze the back of his neck, then other hand thumb/index finger gently squeeze at back, where jaw hinges and he should open his mouth.
We check ours like that. If it's red and has inflammation we may have a 24 hour clinic. We do about 15 miles away. Our local vet is about 6m away when we call her she'll meet us at her office.
If it's not inflamed and extremely loose I'd pull it so he doesn't swallow it accidentally.
We've had cats loose teeth, it's usually no big deal.
One thing if it's just loose, no inflammation, I'd roll him up in a towel first. We have five right now...if you're gentle, talk to them, you can work on them.
Ours I keep their claws trimmed, brush their teeth, baths...they're no problem.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Spell check goofed my reply, but basically if red and inflammation, I would get him to vet, otherwise if very loose...pull it. If not inflammed, not very loose, then veterinarian on Monday.

 

[plowhog]

pull it.

I've had cats before. That would be quite something .... can you get a video?

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'd be pulling a good tooth!
Cats are great, as are all animals...my opinion. Ours I've pulled real loose ones simply by hand, or pliers if necessary.

 

[RobertBrown]

He'll figure it out.......just leave it alone.
Watch for signs of infection, but I'm guessing that tooth will be gone soon and you will be wondering why you were worried.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Poor kitty! One of my cats has had teeth pulled and not many left. It makes eating difficult for the cat.

My vet is great but that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers any way they can. It's a real shame.

 

[Richard]

I called the emergency vet. She said as long as he doesn't appear to be stressed or in pain at all (he doesn't), then to just wait until Monday and go to our regular vet. If he seems to be stressing or in pain....bring him in.

So I have a plan "A" and "B" now...

I've never seen this happen to a cats tooth.

 

[Richard]

My vet is great but that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers any way they can. It's a real shame.

I had that feeling once.

Wife brought a stray dog home, dog was leaking just a bit. Took him to our vet. Ended up spending $1,500 on her before our Vet decided & recommended we take her to UT (University of TN Vet School where they do more in depth procedures) and have a urethera collegen injection.

No problem. Took her to UT and they ran a battery of tests (happened to be EXACTLY what he did). THEY charged me $1,500 and then came out and said "yes.... after the tests we've done, we recommended she have a urethera collegen injection....we think it might help" (cost was another $1,500)

I went pretty ballistic on them telling them that was the EXACT reason why I was here and they wasted $1,500 doing the same tests that my vet (their prior student) did....

"Well, we're a teaching school and our students have to learn the process"

'Well, they can learn on a new case, not when it's coming in on a referral.... You know that $1,500 will buy a LOT of doggie-diapers"

Paid their bill, walked out and just kept her in diapers.

 

[plowhog]

that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers.

There are veterinarians that run a business, and there are businessmen who happen to practice in the veterinary industry. If you hear words like "gold standard care," go find a vet that is running a business, not the other way around.