Neville’s time at the veterinary hospital yesterday was more complicated than was anticipated. He turned out to have many bad teeth, with accompanying infection. The result was that almost all of his teeth were removed, excepting a few that were left to be resorbed.
He has been given three medicines that he must take daily for about a week, two twice a day, one once a day (in addition to his insulin). He is probably less happy about this than about the loss of his teeth. He already is dreading the delivery of the medicine, and tries to hide when he sees me coming. But I think he was feeling some discomfort last night, as he didn’t appear to sleep much, so the medicine will ease that, I hope.
Nev was hungry when he came home, having been starved in preparation for his surgery. He can’t have any hard-food yet, which is another insult, I’m sure he feels, but now that he has kept small amounts of Recovery down, he can have larger amounts, as well as other soft-foods that he likes. But he prefers the most expensive. It may be his way of getting back at me.
I feel very bad about letting Neville’s condition deteriorate so badly. I suspected that some of his teeth would have to come out, as his breath had been bad for a while, but I had no notion of the problem’s extent. My consolation is that the doctor didn’t appear to know its extent, either, until she was able to examine the interior of Nev’s mouth at length and in detail. The fact that Tucker’s teeth all needed to come out as well made me wonder if diabetes somehow plays a role in the deterioration of teeth. I looked at the Diabetes Canada website and found that “high blood sugar can damage gums and teeth in the same way that it can damage the heart, eyes, and nerves. As a result, people [and, one assumes, cats] with diabetes are at higher risk for tooth decay, gum inflammation and disease, and periodontitis…”
Even so, I feel responsible for the Nevsky’s problem.
But now, hopefully, his health will be on the increase; he will feel better, stronger, much more comfortable and, perhaps, the results of our struggle against his diabetes will be less indifferent.
Oh, poor old Neville. I wonder if his bad teeth were adding to his crankiness?
ReplyDeleteYou certainly can't blame yourself, John. Cats aren't too receptive to letting humans examine their mouths, and they can't tell you if anything's wrong. And if the vet didn't realize his teeth were so bad, you couldn't be expected to know, either.
Undine said the same as I am thinking. Once he recovers, I am hoping for a close to dramatic change in his demeanor. May he feel better and better with each passing day.
ReplyDeleteNo, definitely do not blame yourself. With all the teeth that both angel Nicki and Derry have had extracted, it IS the case that even vets can't tell until they x-ray and really get in there. But poor Neville. I think the most that Derry lost at one time was nine and that seemed bad enough.
ReplyDeleteNeville will be unhappy and uncomfortable in the short term, but then will heal and, I hope, be happier in the long term.
Neville, I am so sorry for what you are going through on your road to recovery. Try hard little boy not to flinch from your Dad. He is going to do his utmost to help you and make you comfortable. It will hurt him to know you are afraid. Please remember the peaceful good times and don't be afrad. You WILL be better. I promise.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above comments. Until a vet can take X-rays and thoroughly examine a cat's mouth under anesthesia, it is very difficult to know just what's going on. A cat is not too cooperative in a dentist's chair, after all! So please don't blame your self, John. Meanwhile, I'm sure that once Neville heals you will notice a change in his personality, and now that his infected teeth have been removed, you may have an easier time managing his diabetes.
ReplyDeleteNo, don't blame yourself. Sami had a cancerous in her mouth and I didn't even notice until she lost a tooth and I took her in to the vet. Cats are so good at covering up their pain. I'm sure Neville is cranky now but once the mouth has healed and he is less pain, I'm certain he'll be a much happier cat.
ReplyDeletePurrs for The Nevsky!
ReplyDeleteLook at his wee tongue hanging out; hope your mouth heals quickly, handsome!
I completely understand how you feel because I did too this past year with Annabelle's teeth. I didn't realize her mouth had been hurting her for some time because she had lost quite a bit of weight which I had not noticed. I wonder now how that was but it's what it is. The upspot John is that both of us try to be the best cat parents we can, and it goes to prove how cats hide not feeling well from us. Now though both Annabelle and Neville are doing so much better!
ReplyDeleteIf only cats could talk like us humans. Then things would be taken care of sooner, possibly. You can't know what is hidden from your sight, one eyed or two. (trying to be funny here for cheering you up) You'll be keeping Neville and Zofia seperated while he has a chance to regain his balance in life with missing teeth and the dreaded meds.
ReplyDeleteHugd and purrs to both of you. When healed a bit more Neville will feel better and be happier. He is lucky he has you looking after him :)
ReplyDeletePurrs, Julie
Poor Mr Neville. We hope though that once he is healed, life will be more comfortable for him.
ReplyDeleteWe hope Neville will feel noticeably better and begin to forgive you. Don't beat yourself up (or the vet) for not catching the problem sooner, as the previous commenters have pointed out. Purrs !
ReplyDeleteSending Neville love and healing purrs. My brofur Jesse - known as Jesse the Toothless Wonder - is doing great after losing all of his teeth to stomititis two years ago. He is a very happy boy, and amazingly eats with gusto. He especially likes kibbles however we have learned that if he eats too many he will barf. He can't chew them up, so they absorb liquid in his tummy and then... come back up. So we watch what he eats, but truly he is a much better state than he was before the surgery. Love, Dori
ReplyDeletePoor Neville, he is giving his opinion of what happened! I am sure once his gums have healed he will feel much happier. As everyone else has said, don't blame yourself. Cats are far too good at hiding things.
ReplyDeletePoor Neville. I hope he feels much better when healed.
ReplyDeleteHe sure will feel better one the healing happens and he'll eat just fine, even the crunchy food.
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Neville.I sure hope that once his mouth heals up, so will his grumpiness. One could not expect to know that his teeth were as bad as they were, that has happened to me too with a few of our now angel kitties, in the past.
ReplyDeletePOTP Neville, take your meds like a trooper, they will help you feel and heal well.
Please don't blame yourself, John. Until the vets get in there with x-rays and really look, it's impossible to know the extent of what's going on. And cats are so good at hiding illness or discomfort. We are purring for a smooth recovery for Neville, and some easy medicating for you.
ReplyDeleteAwww, Neville. He will feel better with those teeth gone.
ReplyDeleteDon't beat yourself up. A lot of times, even vets don't know the extent to which teeth have gone bad until they are able to really look at the teeth once a kitty is sedated.
Hoping for a speedy recovery for Neville. Sending purrs.
Ah! Bless him...!x
ReplyDeleteI think the photo at the bottom there, shows
exactually what he thinks of you John...!
Poor Neville...Love him lots...! xxx
Poor Nev!!!! I hope he feels better now that the pain from those teeth are gone. Do not blame yourself, like the others said, cats are difficult when it comes to pain.
ReplyDeleteI hope your eye is healing nicely. Are you getting funny looks from people who don't know you?
No funny looks, though people must wonder. I suspect many who see I'm carrying a helmet think I fell off my bicycle, which I don't find flattering... If people ask what happened, I just say "The usual," and leave it at that...
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