Dental Procedures for Cats: How Olga Recovered From Surgery
Hi, I'm Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Dental issues are common in cats, but I was relieved when my veterinarian said Olga’s teeth weren’t covered with plaque and tarter. However, after a brief examination, she discovered a broken tooth and another one with an abscess. I scheduled a dental cleaning, and the veterinarian mentioned that Olga might need one or more teeth extracted. Olga hasn’t been under anesthesia since she was spayed, and I was worried about her being put to sleep for so long for surgery, but my friends reassured me that she would be fine.
After Olga was revived after the operation, my vet sent me a message that she was doing great and was an excellent patient. I was happy to hear the good news but surprised she cooperated with the veterinary team. When I try to give her medication, she resists and sometimes draws blood when she slashes me with her claws.
Recovering From Dental Procedures
On the way home from the vet’s office, Olga didn't make a sound, but she turned into a loudmouth when she returned to her territory. The medication made her pupils dilate, and she looked like a “demon cat” for several hours. She cried when I left the room and wouldn’t leave my side for the rest of the evening.
The medication made her hyper, and she had trouble sitting still. When she jumped in my lap, she couldn’t relax; she kept wriggling around and resembled a fish out of the water. She eventually calmed down, but I had difficulty administering the antibiotic the following day.
Medications for Dental Surgery
Amoxicillin is a standard antibiotic for humans and animals, and I had to give her two doses for 5 days. Olga hated it and didn’t enjoy having the liquid shot into her mouth with a syringe. Although the type of amoxicillin may vary depending on your vet, the liquid I was prescribed looked like Pepto Bismol. It was thick and pink and stained my counter and carpet.
One morning, Olga ran into the living room after I gave her the antibiotic. She dribbled the liquid on the carpet in several spots, and I had to scrub the stains several times with a high-end carpet cleaner to remove them. I’ve removed cat vomit, candle wax, and red wine from my carpet before, but the amoxicillin stains were more stubborn and challenging to remove.
Recovery Time
Olga was more affectionate when recovering from the procedure, but all cats react differently to surgery. Several years ago, my Siamese cat didn’t want to be touched while recovering from neuter surgery, and I don’t blame him. Unlike him, Olga needed more reassurance that everything would be okay.
She slept on my lap instead of disappearing for a few hours of “alone time.” She yowled when I went outside to work in the yard and hit me on the leg when she saw me walking toward the garage. It took Olga less than a week to return to normal, and although I miss the extra attention and hearing her talk more, I’m glad the procedure and recovery process weren’t as frightening as I anticipated.
This article is a part of Christopher and Olga's series.
See also:
Expert cat care, straight to your inbox
News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.
No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
How useful was this post?
Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)
Christopher Bays is a writer and editor with a soft spot for cats of all shapes and sizes. He enjoys researching and caring for Olga, an adopted Russian Blue mix who is always by his side while working. In his free time, Christopher enjoys gardening, writing short stories, listening to music, and hiking.
