I have never heard of a cat dentist. I think I'm glad I haven't. Our vet takes care of cat dental problems themselves and we are spared specialist fees. I certainly appreciate that.

My vet, too, has taken care of teeth issues in the past. When in for a cleaning, my old cat had 4 teeth removed. It didn't seem to be a problem for her at all.

My vet, too, has taken care of teeth issues in the past. When in for a cleaning, my old cat had 4 teeth removed. It didn't seem to be a problem for her at all.

Great if you have a school of veterinary medicine nearby. Can see veterinary specialists (neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, etc.) at very reasonable rates.

Yes, kitty has seen their dentist.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vet Teaching Hospital

Your vet may have seen more of a problem with your cat's teeth than she feels qualified to handle. Be glad that she was willing to send you to a specialist and not try to do something she knows she's not capable of. Remove a rotten tooth root is more complicated than just removing a tooth.

I feel fortunate to have a specialist remove Rascal's root and to give him a thorough check up.
I feel so bad that I didn't think to have his teeth cleaned and checked on a regular basis.
Hoping for the best for our precious boy.

My cat is about 18. He has never cooperated with dental hygeine, and had to have his canines removed several years ago--his canines had looked more prominent, apparently from infection.

More recently our vet had to sedate him and remove several more teeth; it cost over $800!

Our cats are going to bankrupt us.

:o(

I too have never heard of a cat dentist. Our vet is the one that will clean the teeth and pull them and such.

I was suprised to learn they do root canals on cats!

Just waiting to hear of kitty braces & tooth whitening....

$800.00!!! Yikes!
Hope I don't faint when I hear the bill.
Rascal's dental appointment is in May (not April, like I thought. Hmm, business must be good.)
Will keep you guys informed. Should be interesting.

I wonder if all of you fed dry... dry food CAUSES dental trouble. That's why vet schools push it, so they can scam you of your cash and get paid themselves. Sooner or later..... cats on dry wind up with health problems. I had a cat on dry for just 6 months off and on. and BOOM he had to have 4 teeth pulled, the other cat peed blood in the tub- once I switched to woodys it went away.

I would subjest a raw or wet food only diet. Preferably a raw diet with ground bone, this will help stop any more issues and save you money on vet bills.

@catsylove - every feline vet I've seen (and worked with doing feine rescue/shelter work) STRONGLY encourages wet food (and I agree).

I didn't know about the wet food push. My cat lost all of his tiny gummer teeth the first year we had him. There the ones between the canines. He has a terrible time with constipation. I give him Sheba wet food mixed with pumpkin, water and a prescription every day. It doesn't help much. I tried mineral oil in his food and he won't eat it. He lost a few teeth about a month ago. They were all attacted on a plate like tooth. Now he has trouble some times with his food getting stuck in his teeth. I have no extra money to take him to the vet now. He really needs his teeth cleaned. He is 7 years old. I keep praying God with send the money soon. It breaks my heart that he has to suffer. He is my best kitty friend ever.

@zackey - are you near a college of veterinary medicine? You can get some great care there for far less than you would pay at a vet in private practice.

I am in Chgo and have UI and UW nearby; have used them both (in addition to my private-practice feline vet) and very happy with care.

Maybe there is some place n Jacksonville. He doesn't travel well. he pants like crazy and meows constantly after one mile on the road. Jax is an hour away. I don't know if anything like that is close to me , but I will check it out! Thanks!

@zackey - looks like it is in Gainsville. Offers a lot of specialty services, including dentistry.

Here is a link that might be useful: Univ FL vet hospital

@zackey - If Univ FL is like UI and UW because they are non-profit state schools, they cannot make a profit, so vet care is provided at their cost (no profit = very cheap).

Hope this helps you.

I'll think about it. Like I said he doesn't travel well. We have alot of tractor trailers on the road and he really freaks out when one goes by. Thanks anyway.

i don't want to brag but I have a vet who comes in and pulls teeth for just $50, this included sedation. but she only caters to people who have disabilitys or are elderly/ I'm autistic.

The most AWESOME people are on this site. It touches my heart that there are people who have such compassion for pets and pet owners.
Praying for Zackeys kitty in Hawaii!

My cat was quite elderly and their extra precautions included special sedation, etc. He was in a lot of pain and the only other alternative would have been to put him to sleep.

:o(

It's always good to try to negotiate a treatment you can afford, though. I would never spring for a root canal for a housecat--I suppose it could be necessary for a show cat.

:o/