Conference misery::feline_v1

    A couple of quick ideas come to mind . . .
    
    I have actually read that there are toothbrushes and toothpaste made
    for cats.  How kitty would feel about this procedure is questionable.
    
    Maybe there is some kind of cat food made (i.e. Milkbone for dogs)
    which would help clean the cat's teeth as he eats.
    

    There is a solution called Nolvadent, which is a liquid preparation
    for cleaning a cat's mouth, that you could try squirting in his
    mouth.  The most effective way to use it is to put it on a cotton 
    swab and wipe over his teeth, but if that isn't possible, maybe a 
    regular squirt on his teeth would help.  Ask your vet.
    
    Jo

    I just happen to have a "CATS" magazine here amongst the VMS manuals
    with an add for a kitty home dental care kit called Petrodex. It
    seems to be toothpaste, a kitty toothbrush, and special gauze pads.
    
    $7.45 from Per Direct Catalog Company, P.O. Box 1925, Hayden Lake,
    Idaho   83835-1925.
    
    I've never used it but since Trash Cat gets a bit on the odoriferous
    side, I'm thinking of investing in large quantities.
    
    -maureen

This from my vet (who must have VERY mellow cats):

to "brush" your cat's teeth, simply cover the end of your finger with
a double layer of gauze and rub over the teeth, concentrating on the
gum-line where plaque starts.  You can moisten the finger with water
(if the cat's drool hasn't already done it for you), dip it in baking
soda, and use the baking soda on the teeth - helps clean AND improves
the breath.

She doesn't mention how many fingers you will need for this ...once
the cat has removed the first few, perhaps he/she will adapt to this
wonderful new experience.  She also neglected to mention how many
helpers are required to hold the cat during this experience...many,
many, many if you cat is anything like Hannah.

I do try the rubbing with gauze, once a week, and actually do get some
of the teeth somewhat rubbed, on some of the cats, some of the time.
I also feed as primary food, a quality dry kibble, IAMS, and feed only
occasional snacks of moist food to the cat that can eat moist food.
The cats are getting good dental reports from the vet.  I suspect the kibble
does more good than the teeth-rubbing sessions - I suspect the cats
think I'm really weird for trying it in the first place...and they sure
can spit baking soda all over the place!  This should only be practiced
in the shower stall, with all doors/curtains pulled shut...but DO
wear clothes - the little angels will remove skin if you don't.

    Try the gauze squares called Cat-o-dontics that you can buy from your
    vet.  They have some polishing powder in the gauze.  (Baking soda
    probably tastes as bad to cats as it does to people.)
    
    I use these on Sweetie and I get some of the teeth some of the time
    and I still have ten fingers.  
    
    Cats differ a lot in their mouth chemistry and therefore in how often
    they need their teeth professionally cleaned.  I sweat blood when a cat 
    has to go in for tooth cleaning, but abscessed teeth and systemic 
    infections from infected teeth are the alternative.  I think the  gauze
    helps delay the need for professional cleaning.
    

    No amount of trauma to the cats could keep me from taking them to 
    the vet for their dental appointments. After what we experienced 
    with Ming, I would never go through that again. It could have been
    avoided with preventative care.
    
    Poor baby ended up having 4 teeth pulled that were abscessed, and
    a very sore mouth. Come to find out the rotten teeth were affecting
    her eyes also. 
    
    Barbara