In Shock

[aligator79]

I took Oliver and Lucy in to our vet school here in town and got estimates for dental work.  They told me about $500 for Oliver and $300 for Lucy which included an overnight stay that probably wouldn't be necessary, but was better to include in the estimate.  For Oliver they added an extraction because we knew one of his canines would have to come out.  They scheduled them both to come in this morning.  Ollie was first- the vet called to get permission to pull teeth and that type of stuff - he needed 5 teeth pulled, and 2 more needed something else done.  They are also doing a biopsy of a growth in front of his lower canine.  She didn't think it was cancer, but wanted to make sure. He will be on soft food from now on. They also doubled the estimate.  

UGH-  

Then she called about Lucy....  She needs one pulled and they also almost doubled her estimate= $550.  WTH???  

The thing that ***** is I have to borrow money to cover the doubling because I don't have that much right now.  I could cover the original estimates.  I guess I am glad it's tax time and I get money back because I am taking classes and paying tuition so I can get a credit.

I guess I have to get over it because they needed it done, I don't have 2 legged children so I am not taking anything from them.   And it's not as if I can say "No, don't pull the 5 teeth that are painful even though he is already there and under anesthesia."  I am just in shock that it is so much and most people think I am NUTS to put that much into a cat, especially since it is "just" a cat.  

Thanks for letting me vent.  :)

[Jade59]

Whew, well, I'm glad that's all over - the surgery, that is.  Now is the hard part for you with the meds.  I totally relate.  Was your vet able to show you how to administer them?  You may have to wrap Lucy in a towel for this. You have help, yes?  I know it's hard to think you're hurting them, but it's for their own good.  The liquid meds can be tricky, but if you go in on the side of the mouth and slowly plunge the med (so kitty doesn't choke) on the back of the tongue, you should be good.  All you can do when it comes to medicating an animal is get as much medicine down as you can.  

Good luck, honey and oh, sorry for the shock of the price.  You're a Great mama!!  

[aligator79]

Well they are both home and feeling ok, I guess.  I just got the pain med into Ollie but he is a little more miserable than Lucy.  She refuses anything.  UGH  I have to figure out how to get her to take the pain med and antibiotic.  They are both liquid so it won't be as bad as pills, but I don't want to hurt their mouths.  I think I would even give them a shot if I could avoid oral meds.  :)

[opus88]

well ppl that say 'its just a cat' they don't know their cats and love them as we do....yes they are our children they depend on us for their care and that includes (yikes) dental work and ALL costs....its not cheap to properly care for a kitty(nor a child).....we suck it up somehow...
but thats a terrible 'underestimate' isn't it.....I would think that was why you took them in for check ups before the work...in order to get a more accurate estimate...
BUT than again, I know from past cleanings mine have had that its not always easy to see how bad a tooth is until they get in there working...I had such a phone call too before when each needed an extraction or two...but holy cow even with that both my boys didn't cost more than $500..
so $1500 is a real shocker....had they had dental cleanings before?

My Sami is going in for cleaning on the 17th, I hope there are no surprises with him.....
My Nemo has had to to to a homemade diet last spring, and his teeth as a surprise consequence have NO plaque...
Sami so far is refusing the transition, but I'm a working on it.....

good luck to those babies, they will have very sore mouths for a bit, make the wet food soupy for them for a bit.....

p.s. it would also be a good idea if the Vet were to give them something for pain for a few days. and can I recommend a med called buprenex its an opiate and one of the few that are safest for cats...

keep us updated ♥