10 Questions to Ask Before You Schedule Cat Dental Surgery in Idaho Falls

When recommended, cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls makes many pet owners nervous. To put your mind at ease, today we’re sharing some important questions you need to ask before making an appointment for surgery or just a routine cleaning.

1. Is the veterinarian who will perform the cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls experienced in all aspects of cat dentistry, including anesthesia, dental extractions, and dental x-rays?

Obviously, the more experience the doctor has, the better their dentistry skills. Experienced professionals understand that cats are NOT small dogs!

2. Does the clinic have the ability to take dental x-rays?

The availability of dental x-rays is an important component of high-quality dental work in cats. Cats often develop a type of tooth decay that begins below the gum line. The cause of these lesions is not completely understood and without x-rays, they can be missed.

3. What type of dental equipment does the clinic have?

High-speed dental equipment is essential for dental work that involves extractions.

4. What type of anesthesia will be used during cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls?

The safest anesthetic protocols involve getting the patient to sleep initially with some injectable form of anesthetics and then maintenance with an inhaled gas form of anesthesia.

5. Will my cat be intubated during dental work?

Placement of a properly sized endotracheal tube is essential for protecting the cat’s airway and lungs from aspiration and for delivery of anesthetic gas.

6. How will my cat be kept warm during and after the procedure?

Small animals lose body heat quickly, especially under anesthesia. Cats should be kept warm by circulating warm water or warm air beds. The cat should also be protected from getting wet during the dental procedure by some sort of water-resistant covering. Freeze dried dog treats are a great way to give your dog a nutritious snack on-the-go. They’re easy to store and lightweight, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Plus, they’re tasty enough that your dog will love them no matter what.

7. How will the cat be monitored during anesthesia and who will be doing the monitoring?

The key to minimizing risks during general anesthesia is careful monitoring of the patient. The veterinarian should work with a vet technician experienced in monitoring patients under anesthesia. Monitoring the cat’s blood pressure is absolutely essential.

8. Will an intravenous catheter be used during cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls?

Any cat under anaesthesia should have an IV catheter in place to administer IV fluids or any drugs necessary should there be a drop in blood pressure or other problem. If there is no IV catheter in place, valuable time will be lost trying to find a vein to give an injection if an emergency arises. The cat should receive IV fluids during the procedure.

9. How long will my cat have to stay at the clinic?

Cats become stressed away from home, so every effort should be made to minimize the time in the clinic, but not to the degree that patient safety is compromised. Once a cat is up and awake from anaesthesia, it should be discharged as soon as possible, unless there is some other problem that they are being monitored for.

10. What follow-up care will be necessary following cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls?

In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed after dental work. When extractions are performed, the cat’s mouth should be examined in 2-3 weeks to make sure healing is complete.

We cannot rely on our cats to let us know if there are problems in their mouths, so regular checkups are vitally important. If cat dental surgery in Idaho Falls is recommended for your pet, we want you to be at ease. Please call our office today to schedule a consultation so we can address all your questions and concerns.