Well, I dropped Kinikini off at 7 a.m. on Friday morning for dental surgery.
Kinikini was not with the program, to say the least. He fussed, cried, and dug at the cat carrier door for much of the trip before quieting down.
He was hungry, unhappy about being shoved into the carrier, and then it was off to surgery. Not a good morning.
We didn’t hear back from Dr. Sakamoto until just after 1 p.m., when the vet clinic closes down for lunch.
“Kinikini did really good,” she said. She only had to extract two teeth. One was abscessed, the other damaged. But he still has his remaining front fangs, which I had feared might have to go.
I just noticed that he was sent home with a scorecard.
Teeth extracted: 2
Teeth missing: 16
Teeth remaining: 12
We picked him up a little before 4 pm, after putting a significant amount of debt onto a credit card. For a former free-roaming colony cat, he’s now worth quite a bit!
When we got home, he first demanded freedom, then attention, and then food, in that order.
Our instructions are to limit him to wet food for a week or more. The problem is that he usually eats mostly dry food, which will likely rip out his stitches. So we’re trying several varieties of canned food and coaxing him to eat. I tried putting a little hot water on his spoonful of dry food. He did eat some last night, but didn’t touch the second round I put down for him this morning. So we’ll just have to let him get hungry and the see whether he’ll be willing to cave and accept his menu of soft food.
He was sent home with three little pills to be given once a day, starting on Saturday. Fear and trembling! I have never tried to give Kinikini a pill. I’ve tried to do other things he didn’t like, with limited success. So I didn’t have any illusions that pilling would go smoothly. I was actually not going to try, but at some point Saturday morning decided I had to at least make an attempt, even if it was unlikely to succeed.
So I picked him up, placed him on a chair, tilted his head back, and before he realized what was happening, I popped the pill in, then stroked his throat until it was likely to have been swallowed. Even then, I kind of expected it would come flying out once I released my hold. But, somehow, it actually worked! The pill stayed in and, just as important, he seemed pretty unfazed by the experience!
So here we are, almost 24 hours since he came back from the V-E-T. He’s had a nap or three today, and now he’s pacing around the house, checking out the living room sun spot, appearing pretty “normal.”
If the next couple of days go as well, we’re all good!
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Good to hear, Kinikini is doing well.
I think you all need a sunny spot to relax and recuperate after the adventure!!!
Have a nice weekend
Aloha
Hannelore
PS: I open my doggies mouth – fill my
Own with water- insert pill into doggies
And spit the water and automatically
The swallow
well if it’s any consolation kini humans also fuss cry and claw at the door when we go to dentist too. the worst pain is when we get the bill. he looks cute with his post dental puffy cheeks. the green sheets enhance his green eyes, hope he feels better soon.
So glad to hear the patient is in recovery mode! Here are some great wet cat foods to try. Sold in small portions to him sample it first. The broths are nice and soupy, making them easier to eat.
Sheba
Tiki cat
Fancy feast broths
Reveal broths
This is such a helpful thread for the novice cat owner. Thank you. A stray kitten adopted us about 6 years ago, and he is the definition of low maintenance (largely outdoor). Our vet, whom we trust, recently suggested teeth clearing and possible extraction as part of a February National Pet Dental Health promotion. It sounds like something we should do for our little friend, so we are marching forward. Appreciate your storytelling here. I will also lodge a vote for Sheba and any of the broths. Our guy loves them.
He’s lucky to have you both and the other kitties!
So glad Kinikini is recovering! We use the same quick surprise pill drop and throat massage with our kitties. Gotta aim straight for the middle otherwise they manage to spit out the pill sometimes.
Day 2 pill went down just as easily!
You hit the lottery with Kinkini when it comes to pill taking!! Most cats I’ve dealt with require the pill popping syringe with the rubber tip. Works very well with the uncooperative cats.
My former free roamer with but ONE tooth left (an upper fang) wishes Kini a speedy recovery!