Cat grinding teeth after dental cleaning

[mariemitz]

My cat, Mitzi, makes a terrible grinding sound since she had her teeth cleaned 5 days ago. Took her back to vet who decided to remove a tooth that might be causing the trouble. This meant anesthesia twice in 3 days. She wouldn't eat, so I've brought her home. She tried to eat but the grinding sound is still there. She takes a tiny bite and starts shaking her head and making this sound. She is 17 - she was eating perfectly before the dental cleaning. I am at my wits end - has anyone heard of this? the vet seems stumped.

[Jen5723]

Hi Marie

Thanks so much for replying.  Im so glad Mitz is doing so well.  The Vets and specialists who have seen her xray say theres is nothing in the hole at all, but I will ask them about the drilling thing and FORLS.  She did have a lesion after the dental but thats gone, the gums just wont heal, they even tried stitching but they came out.  They are saying that as her teeth were broken it was this cancer eating the roots from underneath.  Its so hard as I only lost her beautiful brother to spinal cancer 3 months ago and shes now my world.   But I just cant leave her to suffer - its so hard.  Opus has very kindly been giving me some advice too - its so nice of you both.  Im taking all the advice on board.  Will let you know.

Thanks again for your time, with very best wishes.  Jen

[mariemitz]

You may also want to ask your vet try Gabapentin - I never did, but some have found it helpful...

[mariemitz]

Hi Jen
So sorry about your little girl - it's terrible to go through! Mitzi is now in her 19th year, and she is doing GREAT! I'm so glad I didn't listen to all the naysayers who thought I should put her down. I got great advice here (especially from Opus - thank-you again), and I wrote to every dental specialist vet on the net  could find.

It too about 3 months before Mitzi finally healed - she was on opiates all that time, and sometimes it was a battle to get even a teaspoon of food in.
My first question is, are they sure she doesn't have FORLS on that side? Before they start speculating about cancer? Because the residue of a FORL which is a part of a tooth which may be hidden under the gum that has very painful nerves which set off if irritated can be very, very difficult to spot. So please ask them to rule that out for sure.

The second thing that I've picked up is once these nerves become painful after a dental (and one feline dental specialist told me, most vets do not have the proper equipment for cats - they need particularly good drills etc so the vibrations from too large oens don't set off nerve pain. Cat's nerves are closer to the gum, which makes them more susceptible to these problems) - anyway, once the pain starts, once those nerves have been irritated,  it takes a long, long time to resolve. This was my experience with Mitzi - when we got to 3 months, I thought it would never go, but then, all of a sudden, it just started to get better.

The difficult thing is keeping them going and eating enough until that happens, and also keeping the faith. Btw, I used heaps of catnip to get madam to eat - if yours likes it that may help. Also warming the food, lots of gravy. I also found she quickly resented a flavor, because she somehow blamed it for the pain, so I had to keep a vast variety of different foods.

Please do let me know how it's going. I hope what I've said helps - if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!

Wishing you and your little girl all the very best! Believe me, everyone told me to keep trying with Mitzi was a lost cause. I'm so glad I didn't listen. Big  Hug

[Jen5723]

Hi Marie I have just been reading all the postings about your cat Mitz's condition, I do hope she is still doing well.  My 15 year old little girl is going through the same thing, had four top back teeth out in October and not been right since.  The right side has healed with no problems, but the left side still not healed.  Not eating, grinding mouth and shaking her head and pawing her face just like your Mitz was, shes been under a few times and they reckon theres nothing in the hole, she had an xray and they said theyre not sure but it probably is jaw cancer -a tumour under the jaw or in the jaw.  Ive been syringe feeding her for over 2 months now, and is on Meloxidyl and morphine.  Im heartbroken and dont know where else to turn.  I just wanted to ask you when Mitz was going through it all a year ago did her gum heal??  Im probably clutching at straws but just wanted to ask.  Im in the UK hope you dont mind me contacting you.  Many thanks, Jen

[mariemitz]

Will do! So glad to hear Sami and Nemo are getting along well. It is excruciating watching them suffer, and such a relief that my little girl pulled through. It shows that you should not give up too easily - so many suggested I have her PTS.
I see some vets in the USA give pain relief before, during and after a dental, to ensure the pain never gets out of control - maybe discuss this with Sami's surgeon.
All the very best!!! Hugs

[opus88]

morning marie....I'm just so happy for you and Mitzi too, poor little girl I too really had my doubts when nothing seemed to be working for her, its so hard to watch them suffer like that.

My boyz are good, Sami needs a dental too in a few weeks...and x-rays to see if the FORLS have progressed and than he'll need more extractions...I'm always so worried whenever they need anesthesia. If he does need more extractions I'm going to take him to a dental surgeon in the city, so I've been putting some $$ away for this possible expense.

Nemo is good, still the occasional unexpected puddle of pee left somewhere for me to find, the wet food pretty much cured him of that 2 yrs ago, but now he seems to like leaving me a little surprise now and than. than I get out the homeopathy drops which I need to be using more consistently.

you and Mitz take care, drop in once in awhile and let us know how you both are..((to you too))♥