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.

[mariemitz]

Opus!!! How are you?
You got me through such an awful time. Yes I vowed i would reply if anyone had the same problem - I cannot believe we got through it. Mitzi made a fantastic recovery which astonished everybody - she's just had a snack, and is curled up sleeping on my bed.
How are your babies?
<3 Hugs

[opus88]

hi Marie.....I was so hoping you would reply to Zorro's mom with some news and 'great' news too....I  am sooo happy to hear that the pain did subside for little Mitzi and now she is now fully recovered..YEAH!!!!

purrfectmeow, Marie has given you very good advice. she is so right abt how important it is to get the pain under control so Zorro with eat....
from all the reading I've done and my own experience with cat dentals the best med for pain control is BUPRENEX....ask your Vet abt this particular one and hopefully you will come back real soon and tell us that Zorro is doing much better♥

[mariemitz]

My absolute sympathies - I came so close to losing Mitzi. I kept her on painkillers for nearly 2 months- the Temogesic, and kept feeding her at small intervals. The pain gradually improved, and as she got better at eating, I eased up on the meds until she didn't need them anymore. It seems like the pain takes a really long time to resolve - the trick is making sure they don't starve to death while that happens.
I honestly thought Mitzi wasn't going to recover, but she did. I would definitely ask the vet for painkillers, for as long as necessary. Zorro is obviously hungry, but then the pain gets to him. Mitzi is 18, and the prolonged use of painkillers has not affected her adversely. She would have starved to death without them. Don't let them give you anti-inflammatories though - they are dangerous to cats.
You are in the right place - I got so much support here - don't know what I would have done without it! Hang in there - at 6 Zorro is a spring chicken. Let us know how it goes. Hugs!!!

[GingerDH]

Hi Marie, I noticed the date of your last post, it has been 5 years. and i am reading it in despair as my 15 year girl went for a dental procedure a month ago, removed one of her teeth. A few weeks later she gets worse by not eating, dropped to 2.9kg from 3.6kg in 4 weeks. She is having the exact symptom as your Mitzi. Grinding her teeth while trying to eat, become not interested in one flavor of wet food very soon…. I have been to the vet, he is good but not sure what’s going on…….I am in fear of losing her and beat myself up by putting her through this, before the dental procedure she was perfectly fine and very active and happy….your story gave me so much hope and I am going to see the vet again and ask for painkiller……..I am having trouble feeding her, she spit out anything I try to put in her mouth and hates me afterwards …. Thank you for sharing what you and Mitzi have gone through…. I am hopeful now

[purrfectmeow]

Wow, I can't get over how similar your problem is to mine. 6yr.old Male cat "Zorro" recently had all of his teeth removed; I took him to the vet because he kept pawing at his mouth after only a bite or 2 of food (even liquids) after exam, blood panel, and x-rays, it was determined he needed to have 10 extractions. Well he continued to paw at his mouth, a biopsy was done, results came back negative. So the rest of his teeth were removed. Its been 1 month and he is pawing at his mouth after 1 or 2 bites, and he runs and hides after eating. This particular vet is very expensive, it wouldn't bother me if the surgery's were successful. Hope you're able to have a better outcome
Keep posting.

[Jade59]

Hi Marie.  I'm happy to read that Mitzi is eating a little more on her own.  Poor sweet girl, she's really been through a time.  Yes, the meds will slow her down some.

We all care so please keep us updated, Marie.  

Prayers and Hugs to you and Mitzi~~

[mariemitz]

Thank-you again for you endless support!!! Spoke to vet - he suggested finishing the current course of Temogesic, and then looking at other options. She seems to be eating better - tiny portions, many times a day adds up eventually. I've only seen her fall once today, but she has been very quiet (maybe the meds). It seems like the mouth pain is a little more bearable, or getting better - she even asked for food once or twice. Still have the grinding after she's eaten, but it's not for as long.
It looks like you were right, Opus - it just takes longer for the pain to go away when the roots/bone is involved...will keep updating on how it goes. <3