Cat missing teeth

Hey guys. My ma has a 7 year old tomcat. He was a rescue at about a year old and took about another year to be able to touch him. He's been mollycoddled and loved much. My mother is very old school rural and doesnt believe cats need vets. I cant really talk to her about this.

We recently noticed he was dribbling and found out he only has about three teeth left! He eats fine, is very happy and in great condition. Should we worry about this? (Like why did a perfectly healthy 7 year old cat lose all his teeth?) Or better not to stress the poor ex feral out, and my elderly ma at the same time?

She always feeds them tinned food so he's obviously able to eat.

taytobreath

I would worry. Definitely needs vet treatment, cats are brilliant at hiding pain. So mollycoddle and love him some more by bringing the poor guy to the vets.

taytobreath

taytobreath wrote: »

I would worry. Definitely needs vet treatment, cats are brilliant at hiding pain. So mollycoddle and love him some more by bringing the poor guy to the vets.

I have a feeling this lad has been missing his teeth for years now, it was only when I took notice of his dribbling habit that it became obvious. I stuck my hands into his mouth and it doesn't feel like he has any teeth left besides three. But he eats fine! He was a feral cat and is still only ok to handle inside the house. I wonder if I could get a vet to do a home visit? Elderly feral mother and elderly feral cat and they're both shy of strangers...

I've met many toothless cats in my time but most are twice his age. They can still eat fine. Blackie is eating fine so I do wonder if upsetting them both is worth it? I would love to know WHY all his teeth fell out though.

taytobreath

taytobreath wrote: »

I would worry. Definitely needs vet treatment, cats are brilliant at hiding pain. So mollycoddle and love him some more by bringing the poor guy to the vets.

Oh I should add Blackie has to be sedated before he is taken to the vet. I prefer not to shove valium down his toothless gob if I don't HAVE to.

taytobreath

Hi budgese, has he only started to dribble recently, no one can obviously diagnose your cat here. You can put him in a cat carrier, but the vet will probably have to sedate him to treat his mouth.
sounds like gum disease to me and it will only get worse

put a blanket over the carrier, it may calm him. but i dont think u have an alternative, a home visit from a vet, i dont think a vet would be able to get close let alone treat a feral awake cat. your only option is to put the cat in a carrier, bring it to the vet, the vet can administer an injection thru the carrier to sedate him. then treat him when fast asleep.

Chuchote

It's common for cats to break their chin if they fall or jump from a high place. Bring him to the vet.

baby and crumble

TBH we had a cat we rescued about 3 years ago, like you took ages to calm, then even though we'd brought her for vaccinations etc the vet realised about 9 months after we got her she needed teeth out. She'd been eating fine (hard food) but had stinky breath. She now only has about 4 teeth left, still eats hard food fine but the difference in her personality is mad. She was a lovely friendly cat, beforehand but now she plays, she's even more affectionate. The poor thing must've been in massive pain and we never noticed- like another poster said, cats are great at hiding pain. See if you can bring the cat to the vet, OP.

El_Duderino 09

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh I should add Blackie has to be sedated before he is taken to the vet. I prefer not to shove valium down his toothless gob if I don't HAVE to.

Not arguing with you on this point but why does he have to be sedated? My cat dislikes being brought to the vet in her box so weave her box part of playtime. We made sure the laser and string etc. Included the box. She got used to the box but she didn't like being locked into it. Meowed the entire time she's in the box. But once she's home she returns to normal after a while -and a bit of laser and string play.

I suppose I'm asking why you would sedate the cat?

El_Duderino 09

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Not arguing with you on this point but why does he have to be sedated? My cat dislikes being brought to the vet in her box so weave her box part of playtime. We made sure the laser and string etc. Included the box. She got used to the box but she didn't like being locked into it. Meowed the entire time she's in the box. But once she's home she returns to normal after a while -and a bit of laser and string play.

I suppose I'm asking why you would sedate the cat?

Feral.

Thanks for the advice on how to handle your pet cat.

Thanks everyone for the advice. We did get a friend who is a vet to visit and pin the lad down. Without knocking him out he can't get s closer look. No bad smell, no problem eating, and great condition, no worries.