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Cat won't eat - probable teeth problem


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Old 20-10-2016, 12:57
Leicester_Hunk
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One of our cats (the greediest one, funnily enough) has gone off food and not eaten properly since Saturday night. When she was a very young kitten, she had red, sore gums. She is now 6.

She wouldn't get off the sofa on Sunday but since then she's been a bit more lively, but not herself. She comes up for headrubs, drinks water, jumps up on things, prowls around as usual and likes stroking and attention. She's not lying down all the time, but she's a bit more subdued than usual.

She will only lick at food and not eat it. That goes for food in jelly, or biscuits. She's eaten a few Dreamies, and had a lot of that Lick-e-Lix cat yogurt stuff. When the food comes out, she perks up and looks interested, but then sniffs at it, but just licks it and walks off.

We've had a feel around her and no lumps or bumps or anything and checked her tummy - nothing. She won't let us look in her mouth, but I think it is something to do with her teeth or gums.

I'm taking her to the vet, but I wondered if anyone had had similar problems with their cat. I'm worried she is going to make herself really ill if she won't eat.
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Old 21-10-2016, 09:48
blueblade
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Sometimes cats do that. Meow for food, then when you put it down for them, they sniff it and walk off. You generally find it's gone when you look later.

But if it continues for a few days, best get her to the vet LH. As you say, she might have a bad tooth.
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Old 21-10-2016, 10:48
Leicester_Hunk
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Thanks. She ate something last night and this morning, but, she sort of winces when she eats, definitely something to do with her gums or teeth. She's got a vet appointment later.
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Old 21-10-2016, 11:10
yorkieUK
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Our cat Poppy recently had gum and teeth problems and we also found out that dental work is not covered by most pet insurance policies. So, if you have pet insurance it may be worth reading the small print. We were not covered.

Poppy's problem was caused by a build up of tartar on her teeth. She needed general anesthesia as you can imagine. Luckily she only had to have a scale/clean and no extractions were needed. Poppy was 13 at the time and being an older pussycat more care and consideration was needed while under the general anesthesia. We paid around £270.00 if I remember rightly!

Best of luck at the Vets!
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Old 21-10-2016, 19:36
blueblade
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Thanks. She ate something last night and this morning, but, she sort of winces when she eats, definitely something to do with her gums or teeth. She's got a vet appointment later.
How did she get on?
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Old 22-10-2016, 16:11
DougalGeorge
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We struggled for years with one of our cats and her teeth. We used to get them cleaned and the vet took the odd one out. Then eventually the vet took all of them out and the cat has never looked back ! She was about 6 at the time, she's now 11. She has now put on weight so she's a normal size and can crunch biscuits with her gums. There is nothing she can't eat. I wish we had done it earlier, it would have saved her the stress of teeth cleaning and sedation. I think she was in so much pain that it must have been a relief - we all know how horrific toothache is.

She was a mainly wild cat here in Cyprus where her mother wouldn't have got proper nutrition. My vet tells me a lot of Cypriot cats have teeth problems, hence him suggesting taking them all out. Another cat I know only has her 4 canine teeth.
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Old 22-10-2016, 21:45
eggplant
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My Beast had quite a few tooth problems from early on despite having a beautiful set when I first got him. . Vet said that as cats often don't show when they are hurting the point when you notice tooth problems is usually when they are in a lot of pain. By the end he was getting by on not much more than his incisors, one canine and not much more. He staggered in after his last tooth removal, headed straight for the dried food and wolfed it down. Lack of teeth never stopped him so I think it is best to get bad teeth sorted, possibly removed aSAP.
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Old 24-10-2016, 14:00
Leicester_Hunk
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It's not teeth at all. Cat has a lump in her neck just under her ear which is not fatty, but not moving and "attached" to probably muscle underneath. She's not eaten properly for a week now - just picking and nibbling, but drinking. Gone in today for a biopsy on the lump and a blood test. My wallet isn't laughing and my girlfriend has also eaten practically nothing for a couple of days now and can't stop crying.
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Old 25-10-2016, 10:55
yorkieUK
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Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will turn out to be something not so serious and easily treatable. Best of luck.
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Old 25-10-2016, 16:38
Leicester_Hunk
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It's turned out to be a rather nasty infection that has swollen the cat's lymph nodes. So a bit relieved but still concerned for the cat, who we need to get to eat something.
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Old 25-10-2016, 18:37
blueblade
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It's turned out to be a rather nasty infection that has swollen the cat's lymph nodes. So a bit relieved but still concerned for the cat, who we need to get to eat something.
Have they injected some antibiotics?
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Old 25-10-2016, 19:23
Peg ODwyer
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cats can go a while without food, but I hope she will get a bit hungry soon. We had one old cat who had no teeth left, but she ate all day. I hope the antibiotics or treatment will work wonders on the cat & that she will make a good recovery.
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Old 25-10-2016, 22:39
eggplant
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If you are trying to get her to eat try strong smelling stuff or warm food slightly.
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Old 26-10-2016, 10:52
Leicester_Hunk
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Have they injected some antibiotics?
Yes they gave her an antibiotic injection and an anti-inflammatory injection on Saturday and she's having daily antibiotic medicine which she's happily taking.

She's coming round very slowly and nibbling bits of food here and there (girlfriend giving it to her every half hour), drinking water and walking around a bit, coming for headrubs and jumping on the furniture. They shaved fur from under her chin to take the blood and she won't leave the bald patch alone so she's made it a bit red raw. She must still have a temperature as her ears are warm and the lump (which has receded slightly) is a bit warm.

I'm going to take her back if the temperature doesn't go down.
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Old 26-10-2016, 23:21
Peg ODwyer
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I'm glad she is doing better.
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Old 27-10-2016, 09:28
Leicester_Hunk
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I'm glad she is doing better.
Thanks Peg. It's slow progress with her, but it's really floored her. She's up and about today but still only eating little bits of food. But she is drinking and a bit more interactive today.
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Old 27-10-2016, 21:07
DougalGeorge
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Poor little soul. Keep us updated on progress.
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Old 01-11-2016, 23:10
Leicester_Hunk
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Poor little soul. Keep us updated on progress.
She's making progress, but the eating is now a more of a stubborn refusal than being ill. My girlfriend makes her eat, and she drinks water, but she will only eat if hand fed at the moment.

She's been quite ill though and has lost a lot of weight, and is gradually getting back to being herself.
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