Hello- My 6yr old Bengal has an appointment for a dental cleaning tomorrow and more than likely a few extractions. Her check up a few weeks ago revealed she has some tooth resorption in a few spots. We go to a cat clinic and the people there are great but I am a nervous wreck about putting my baby through this procedure.

Years ago my Calico had a few teeth removed and she was a mess when she got home. She was drugged up and trying to walk everywhere even though she was falling, etc. I stayed up all night with her to try to keep her calm and not hurt herself. I am prepared to do this again if need be but this time I also has another Bengal girl at home. This girl is 10 and is never happy when her 'sister' comes home from the vet.

Does anyone have suggestions for care once home and how have you handled the multi cats situation after surgery? I'm beginning to wonder if I should try to keep them separated for a few days so the patient can heal before having to deal with her 'sisters' attitude.

You might want to find out what anesthesia your vet is using. Ketamine is a heavy sedation and there are other options. My bengal has undergone a couple of teeth cleanings with no complications outside of being woozy and wobbly when he came home. The reason your other kitty is never happy when your other baby comes home from the vet is because the kitty smells differently. They pick up smells from the vet and your kitty probably smells mediciney. It doesn't last forever. This behavior seems normal.

I always worry about Raiden when he's under sedation since he has a heart murmur, but he honestly does fine with it. See if your kitty's procedure can be done early in the day. Most vets want you to pick up your pet late in the day, so the anesthesia would have more time to wear off before your baby came home.

Do come back and post how things go.

Yep, I've dealt with this many times. In fact Neytiri is getting a dental in a week or so. It's pretty simple: you keep your recovering kitty in the bedroom away from the other cat(s) and also so you can keep your eye on them. You may need to do this for multiple days, depending how your kitty is feeling, and how they other cat(s) are handling it.

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The little monsters 3

Thank you both for the great info and for making me feel better.

We went in early this morning for the surgery and were home by 4pm. Isoflurane was the anesthesia used and when I picked my baby up she was a tad groggy but doing well. I have my two girls separated and plan to keep it that way for at least the rest of today and all of tomorrow while I'm at work. I put the crate that was at the vet all day in with the cat that did not get the dental in hopes that the smell from the crate would be a familiar smell later when she sees her sister later on.

My baby seems to be doing well. I am set to give her some Buprenorphine orally in a bit and hope that goes well. We had 2 premolar extractions today and apparently all other teeth look great. Glad today is over and that we are all home safely and on the road to recovery!

Glad everything went well! I was a total wreck having to get my cats teeth cleaned... I brush her teeth now. I have had some cats with beautiful teeth well into their senior years and then my newest girl needed a cleaning at only 6 months old! Vet told me it is genetics.

So pleased all went well for you and your kitty. Hopefully, the pain will subside. They usually give you pain meds for about three days. The anesthesia they used is what my vet uses as well. I know you both are happy this is over. Now just to get the two babies getting along and back to normal.

Thank you all for your support and kind words! The patient is feeling much better and her 'sister' is being friendly again. I can now say I am so happy we had the procedure done. It was scary to deal with on surgery day and hard to see my baby not feel well afterwards but it was all worth it in the end.

They do sell brushes and toothpaste for pets -- and some cats love having their teeth brushed!!! (Check YouTube) Hopefully, her tarter buildup will be slow and she won't need the procedure done again for a while.