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Cat Root Canal on k-9 tooth - possible symptoms and complications.

Hi!
My 3 year old, active, healthy cat had a root canal 2 days ago. He chipped his k-9 tooth lengthwise (inside-mouth side) and had the pulp exposed for (an estimated and sadly unnoticed) 4 months!
The vet/dentist told me that despite his pulp being in terrible condition (practically a decomposed liquid), the surgery went well. My cat came home looking OK; although he had an all night fever (which I treated with the proper meds), and ate only on the first day.
Now he tries to eat, but gives up. Aside from that, he shows no sign of fever (aside from a dry nose), no swelling, or apparent discomfort. But I know cats are hard to read. He's on antibiotics and I just gave him the anti-fever med (just in case it allows him to eat something). He's not drinking either and is sleeping a lot.
My question is, what symptoms should I be looking for, in case there are hidden complications? What should I be aware of? I never had a root-canal myself so I have no idea what it feels like.
Thank you,
Paula.


Best Answer
874521 tn?1424116797
well welcome to our forum.....fellow once Canadian!
I do hope its working,I can imagine how much pain this poor little guy must be in, yes for sure trust your Vet....they above all should know these meds, I just can't find it avail here, thats not unusual a difference in meds or names between countries, didn't mean it as anything negative.

thats positive if he's eating some, keep to soft wet foods so its easy on his mouth. and be sure he is drinking some too.....try warming the water or at least luke warm..see if that helps.
If he won't eat on his own you'll need to help him, try rolling very small pieces of wet food between your thumb and forefinger, than very gently putting these tiny balls one at a time into his mouth...we had a member who did this for her kitty for a long time to keep him eating.
Or you will need to get one of those larger droppers from your pharmacy, make the wet food as liquid as possible so it can easily be drawn into the dropper.....I will give you a health page with info on how to do this. note a dropper is much safer to use than a syringe, b/c the amount inserted into the mouth is easier to control. remember SLOW AND EASY.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Pets/Syringe--Force-feeding-for-cats--Part-one/show/491?cid=2


34 Responses
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874521 tn?1424116797
awesome news.....GO Tiqua!!!
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
he has been eating on his own for the last two days now. Still giving the pain medication  and antibiotics. His breathing is a lot better too. He has a recheck on Thursday.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
well thats a good sign...keep trying to tempt him with all sorts of soft foods, even a bit of tuna but just for a short time...the antibiotics are also probably making his appetite worse, but he needs to keep on with those. so hopefully you can find something he'll try eating. even soft meat baby foods...just be sure they are onion and garlic free....
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
Tiqua is up and drinking on his own now. just need to get him to eat more.
Helpful - 0
7052683 tn?1392938795
Great news! Lets hope the worst is over for Tiqua, Piqua, OH!!!
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
Tiqua up date: He came home on Thursday afternoon. He was till not eating on his own. Vet gave me some soft foods for him. End up have to force feed him until he starts eating on his own. Vet found out he had a secondary infection in the back of his throat that was making it very sore and cutting off his airway. Vet has him on an antibiotic along with his pain medication. Today he shows improvement he is drinking and starting to eat on his own.

As for his name it came about from me moving from California to Ohio. When I transferred my tags DMV in California sent my paper work to Tiqua OH, insted of Piqua OH. And that is how he got his name.
Helpful - 0
7052683 tn?1392938795
Well isn't that good news. He is in good hands at the clinic --no worries for you they will get him through these first few days and release him once he begins eating on his own.

Hang tough Tiqua
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
Tigua what a beautiful unusual name...love it. Glad you got him in today, dehydration is very dangerous, sure hope he continues to perk up and quickly feels like eating again. Thx for that update, I was worried
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
Up date: Tiqua was taken in today at 9am. His is on electrolytes to help him recover form dehydration. At 4pm they said he was up and about and feeling much better. Still not on solid foods until tomorrow after the doctor sees him.
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
He is  5 years old and weighs about 14 lbs, the vet has him on .5 mil of buprinex suspension twice daily. He has not eaten or drink anything yesterday. about 3am this morning he was making sounds like he was in pain. I got up and gave him a little water through a straw. That seem to help a little. He will be going to see the vet this morning.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
sorry forgot your not in metric. your kitty should not have been prescribed more the point two cc's..... make sure that was .2 not 2 just making sure he was given the correct dosage.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I'm not sure what your cat weighs but you shouldn't be giving more than .2mls every 12 hours.....does that sound like what you were prescribed?
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
no IMO I wouldn't give the buprenex b/c of some of the side effects. how large of a dose did you give your kitty?

Buprenorphine can cause a drop in heart rate as well as blood pressure.

Because respiratory depression is a possible side effect, buprenorphine should not be used in patients with respiratory compromise, including heart failure or head trauma.

If I were you I would take him to an emergency Vet clinic tonight, I sure don't like the symptoms you are describing

let us know how you make out okay...sending some prayers.
Helpful - 0
15341115 tn?1439945317
Hello, my cat just had four teeth drilled out last Friday. its now Tuesday, he has lost his appetite. he wont eat anything his breathing is short and wheezy.   I plan on taking him to the vet first thing in the morning. I was giving him a half a dropper of Buprinex twice. now that he is not eating I was unsure if it would be safe to give it to him on an empty stomach, but I don't want him to be in pain either.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ditto! - what Opus stated!  Do come back and hang with us.  I don't blame you for being worried as cats can't tell us if it hurts, and they have a way of hiding pain until it gets to its worst state.  Glad Tuike is doing well.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
we are always wanting new members hon, they don't need to have problems to be a regular on our forum......we love stories and advice too, and I bet you have lots.
So hang around we love to have you and Tuike and the others with us...:)
♥Opus
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey Opus, Piparkeggr and Maddie :)

Tookie! What are the odds :) that's so funny - it's the first cat I know of with a similar name to Tuike!

I guess that, since it was the first time (and last I hope), of having to deal with a cat root canal, I became a bit over-worried. Thanks again for all the info and comments - they really helped. :)

If you ever need anything that I could help with, please let me know :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh good news.  You asked how long my kitty was on antibotics - I believe it was a week or so, and no infections.  Maggie kitty was on pain meds approx three days or so.  It's so good to hear kitty is eating.
Helpful - 0
506791 tn?1439842983
Hey Paula,

Good news about Tuike, knowing how a tooth like that feels myself!

(Our cat Calamity Jane [Nov 82 - Mar 04] had the nickname of Tookie.)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
last update: Kitty just ate a whole can of tuna! swelling has disappeared - everything is well!
Thanks everyone for the posts!!!

Paula and Tuike :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Maddie

It's great to hear from someone who's cats had similar experiences. Did your kitties have any gum swelling or other symptoms? And for how long were they on meds?

Thanks for everyone's posts - you're all helping me understand this whole thing better and in turn really help my cat :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh poor kitty; I do hope you find him or he returns soon.  It's good you were able to give him the meds before he darted off.  My cat has had two dentals, and they do feel the pain after dental surgery and need pain meds.  Keep us posted on sweet kitty and the Vet visit.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi everyone

Update: this morning I noticed that my kitty's gums, around the treated k-9 tooth, were very inflamed, covering about half the tooth. His nose and chin hasn't been (self) cleaned as well... I'm thinking it must feel awful.

My cat spends his days walking around the neighborhood, so just after I gave him the antibiotics and pain/fever killers he darted off. He's a bit pissed at me for taking him to the dentist, I think.

As soon as he returns I'll take him to the Vet. My dear poor kitty!
Helpful - 0
506791 tn?1439842983
Oh, oh, oh; I can well sympathize with your kitty.

The abscessed tooth I had several years ago is the WORST pain I have ever felt (outside of passing a kidney/urinary stone).  It seems like those jaw/tooth nerves go right to one's pain center in the brain.

I hope your vet is able to help and that you and your kitty have a very many happy years together.
Helpful - 0
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