Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2015 18:22:26 GMT -5
Well, I have been seriously considering giving my 13 year old his dream gift (besides an $1800 drone). A kitten. When the humane society announced free adoptions this Friday and Saturday that kind of sealed the deal, but, today I may have changed my mind. I've been going through all the adoption procedures, one of which is all the current pets need to be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Our house cat hasn't had shots in many years and I wasn't really thrilled about starting them back up at age 16, but I took him in today. He passed his physical with flying colors except for one pretty big thing. His top teeth on one side are rotten. They quoted me a minimum of $350 for the extraction and that's if they don't have to put him under. Seriously? Ugh. I made him an appointment for Friday, but now I'm second guessing taking on another pet. After years of no vet bills, I've kind of forgot how expensive they can be. This one trip to the vet may end up costing more than all the out of pocket medical expenses for me and both the kids this year. So, is $350-$500 a typical price for this? I was floored, I really thought it would be more like $150 to yank a couple teeth.
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myrrh
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Post by myrrh on Dec 15, 2015 18:29:15 GMT -5
Aww a new kitten! Please post pics if you go through with this. And yes that cost seems about right. About eight years ago now my cat had three teeth taken out, but she was put under. I want to say it cost over $600. Since then she hasn't cost me much so it evens out in the end.
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Dec 15, 2015 18:33:42 GMT -5
I don't know if that cost is normal, but I got a kitten a little over a year ago. She was a stray and had some health problems, but she still only cost about $600 over the last year. Most of that was getting her spayed and microchipped. My friend got a cat from the humane society last year too, and he came fixed and chipped for only $35. He eats a lot and destroys things, but that has been the only other expense she has had.
Edit: I realize you didn't actually ask about the cost of a new kitten, but I just can't help trying to talk people into getting new kittens.
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Dec 15, 2015 18:33:43 GMT -5
It sounds about right - which doesn't make it any easier to swallow unfortunately. But good luck with your cat, I hope she's okay. And if you do decide to get the kitten I know you will all love it!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2015 18:37:50 GMT -5
Do they need new food if they get their teeth pulled? She said he probably hasn't been chewing on that side for a long time. I know...he's been a cheap cat for a long time, so I shouldn't really complain about $500, but it was a shock.
He was originally a barn cat. When he was 6 months old or so, someone ran him over with either a car or a snowmobile. He was found actually groomed into the snowmobile trail and we had to chip him out. I thought his back was broke because he just laid there and figured he was going to be put down, but turns out he had two badly broken legs. Three surgeries and a couple thousand dollars later he came home and I said he was going to be a house cat and never go outside again. That was in 2000. My son was born in 2002 and those two have been joined at the hip since he was born. It's more like a boy and his dog than a boy and his cat.
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myrrh
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Post by myrrh on Dec 15, 2015 18:43:06 GMT -5
Mine was used to dry. We tried to give her wet food after the extractions but she wouldn't eat it, she preferred the dry. I would just give yours whatever he's used to eating. Although if you can get him used to wet food beforehand that would be a good thing IMO.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 15, 2015 18:50:17 GMT -5
He'll be fine with the same food after the extractions and the cost doesn't sound out of line. Pets are ridiculously expensive.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2015 20:45:14 GMT -5
But the joy of a cuddle and purr is also ridiculously awesome. Over the years I've spent way more on animals than people, but the animals never let me down.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 15, 2015 21:11:37 GMT -5
Well, I have been seriously considering giving my 13 year old his dream gift (besides an $1800 drone). A kitten. When the humane society announced free adoptions this Friday and Saturday that kind of sealed the deal, but, today I may have changed my mind. I've been going through all the adoption procedures, one of which is all the current pets need to be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Our house cat hasn't had shots in many years and I wasn't really thrilled about starting them back up at age 16, but I took him in today. He passed his physical with flying colors except for one pretty big thing. His top teeth on one side are rotten. They quoted me a minimum of $350 for the extraction and that's if they don't have to put him under. Seriously? Ugh. I made him an appointment for Friday, but now I'm second guessing taking on another pet. After years of no vet bills, I've kind of forgot how expensive they can be. This one trip to the vet may end up costing more than all the out of pocket medical expenses for me and both the kids this year. So, is $350-$500 a typical price for this? I was floored, I really thought it would be more like $150 to yank a couple teeth. That's a good price. I had to have a single tooth of Sheldon's extracted last year (he had a baby fang that didn't fall out and he was getting some pretty hefty gingivitis around the double fang). It cost me $180, and included cleaning his teeth. It sounds like the cat's mouth is pretty bad, the price they quoted you isn't bad. TD's mom took the mutt to the vet. His teeth were bad, and he had 4 extractions. That vet bill was about $550.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 16, 2015 10:46:42 GMT -5
Do any of you brush your pet's teeth?
And, if so, what kind of protective gear do you wear?
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 16, 2015 10:53:46 GMT -5
Do any of you brush your pet's teeth? And, if so, what kind of protective gear do you wear? I have in the past with a very gentle kitty who has since passed, but I was never very good about remembering to do it, so it would maybe be a few times a week, and then every 6 months when I found the toothbrush and paste floating around somewhere. Even she was a struggle though. I'd do it the same way as I give my cats medicine, wrap them in a towel, straddle them, pinch jaw open with one hand, and brush with the other.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 16, 2015 10:55:32 GMT -5
Do any of you brush your pet's teeth? And, if so, what kind of protective gear do you wear? TD tries, since the mutt needs his teeth cleaned twice a year they are that bad. He fights him every step of the way. But there is no way I would be able to do it. The mutt tolerates it for so long, then gets pissy about it. So he can get about a quadrant done each evening.
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chen35
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Post by chen35 on Dec 16, 2015 10:56:12 GMT -5
Do any of you brush your pet's teeth? And, if so, what kind of protective gear do you wear? I brush my chihuahua's teeth. She is very mild mannered, so no protective gear. It's a struggle to hold her down enough so she can't get away, but not enough to hurt her since she's so small.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 16, 2015 11:03:39 GMT -5
I haven't tried. It just sort of seemed a little ridiculous...and possibly dangerous, LOL. I give the Pupster a Greenie chew treat that is supposed to clean teeth every other day or so, but I think I am seeing some tartar on his teeth, so maybe brushing a pet's teeth isn't as ridiculous as I thought. He is 2. Goes for his check up in February. I'm guessing he will need a cleaning then.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 16, 2015 11:22:44 GMT -5
My friend had to have 5 or 6 of one of her cat's teeth removed, and it cost them almost $800 Of the health issues my poor kitty has, the vet always says she has great teeth, at least she's got that going for her. I've thought about trying to brush her teeth but haven't yet... I will someday when I'm feeling brave.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 16, 2015 11:48:46 GMT -5
I have 2 'used' cats and one needed a lot of dental work when I first got her - it all started when I found one of her fangs on my pillow (it had rotted and broken? fallen? out). Little Girl cat had 5 teeth extracted, Big Boy had one tooth extracted. Both got their teeth cleaned. They had 3 days of 'pain killer' pills and 10? days of antibiotics post dental work. The total bill for both came to just under 1K. I had some other routine vet checkup stuff/blood work done that was $250 for the two of them. FWIW: I bet in a few days your cat will be feeling MUCH better - I strongly suspect that rotting teeth are painful for a cat - they just don't exhibit 'pain' signs. I know Little Girl cat was a much more friendly happy cat after surviving the trauma of the dental work and 10 day sequester and pills twice a day. She strongly believes that she is a Mighty Feral Cat (except when it's dinner time). So the dental ordeal was pretty awful for her. Boy Cat thought the pain pills were GREAT! and the antibiotics annoying. He liked all the extra attention, the unlimited catnip and lots of extra tummy rubs. So, what does your new "free" kitten come with? Fixed? Chipped? All those kitten shots done? If you aren't on the hook for getting the little one fixed, chipped, or whatever deworming/shots kittens are suppose to get - free is a fantastic deal!! (that's a $500 value in my neck of the woods!) If you are just getting a 'free' kitten without anything having been done to the little one - 'free' isn't such a good deal.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 16, 2015 11:52:44 GMT -5
When I was little, we got our kittens free a family who had a farm so our kitties were literally free, up front (they weren't fixed, vaccinated etc of course). My mother used to say they were the most expensive free cats she'd ever had (one had chronic health issues and was overweight.. lots of vet visits, lol)
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 16, 2015 11:54:30 GMT -5
Do any of you brush your pet's teeth? And, if so, what kind of protective gear do you wear? No, I can't catch the Little Girl cat (she's a Feral House Cat) and, I'll be honest, I'm afraid to do the Big Boy cat. He has a huge head and HUGE gaping maw filled with needle sharp large teeth. I'm good at pilling cats - but when I had to him pills - the back of my mind screamed "NO! We're gonna die!" which it has never done before. I was alittle bit afraid of how horrible it would be if he bit me. I've never had that thought/fear with other cats. He's actually a big smushy marshmallow of a cat and I suspect he'd really have to be provoked (or in incredible pain/going on pure instinct) to bite... but when he yawns - it's a tiny bit scary.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 16, 2015 12:03:21 GMT -5
Well, I have been seriously considering giving my 13 year old his dream gift (besides an $1800 drone). A kitten. When the humane society announced free adoptions this Friday and Saturday that kind of sealed the deal, but, today I may have changed my mind. I've been going through all the adoption procedures, one of which is all the current pets need to be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Our house cat hasn't had shots in many years and I wasn't really thrilled about starting them back up at age 16, but I took him in today. He passed his physical with flying colors except for one pretty big thing. His top teeth on one side are rotten. They quoted me a minimum of $350 for the extraction and that's if they don't have to put him under. Seriously? Ugh. I made him an appointment for Friday, but now I'm second guessing taking on another pet. After years of no vet bills, I've kind of forgot how expensive they can be. This one trip to the vet may end up costing more than all the out of pocket medical expenses for me and both the kids this year. So, is $350-$500 a typical price for this? I was floored, I really thought it would be more like $150 to yank a couple teeth. I was quoted $400 just for a cleaning with no extractions.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 16, 2015 12:05:39 GMT -5
Do they need new food if they get their teeth pulled? She said he probably hasn't been chewing on that side for a long time. I know...he's been a cheap cat for a long time, so I shouldn't really complain about $500, but it was a shock. Probably not. Little Girl cat still prefers her Crunchies over wet food... she's missing some of her side teeth (and all 4 fangs). When I asked the Vet about long term food for her - the answer was what ever she preferred to eat - as long as it was cat food. so, surviving on Pepperoni or the beef from an Italian beef sandwich was not acceptable.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 12:50:10 GMT -5
So, what does your new "free" kitten come with? Fixed? Chipped? All those kitten shots done? If you aren't on the hook for getting the little one fixed, chipped, or whatever deworming/shots kittens are suppose to get - free is a fantastic deal!! (that's a $500 value in my neck of the woods!) If you are just getting a 'free' kitten without anything having been done to the little one - 'free' isn't such a good deal. Yeah, LOTS of free kittens around here with nothing done. I live out in the country and could get one easy enough, but I'm going the humane society route to try and minimize the initial expenses. I'm assuming they have had their shots. I don't think chipping is very common around here...at least not at the kennels. What I'm not sure of is the spay/neuter. I would hope they'd at least give vouchers for free/reduced when they are old enough for the surgery. If I think of it, I'll call them this afternoon. If it's not included, older kittens/cats are $40 to adopt right now (normally $85), so there is that option. I'm still not sure if I can afford another kid though. Two more days to decide....
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 16, 2015 13:23:12 GMT -5
The last 2 kittens I got at the humane society cost me about $100 each.....Gizzy in KY in 2002 and Sheldon last year in WA. IME, a cat can be neutered at 2 lbs, so they tend not to release animals until they have been neutered. Even though my cats had received their early shots, they have always had to go back for their final rabies. Both were chipped.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 13:36:36 GMT -5
I don't think all these guys are up to two pounds.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 16, 2015 13:42:16 GMT -5
I don't think all these guys are up to two pounds.
Awwwwwwwwwwweeeeeee! So when are you picking him up?
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 16, 2015 13:45:31 GMT -5
I don't think all these guys are up to two pounds.
Squeeeeee!! wanna squish his little face!
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Dec 16, 2015 13:52:54 GMT -5
OMG soooooo cute!!
Now I want another kitten.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Dec 16, 2015 13:56:04 GMT -5
That little cutie is a must have! You can easily brush a cat's teeth if you start them early (as little kittens), just as you can easily clip their nails if you start them young. If you keep the teeth clean there's a much reduced problem with plaque formation and future dental issues. Either way, you won't see that kind of issues in the first few years anyway. Cats are generally pretty healthy animals and don't require much more than quality food, clean facilities, fresh water, and a lap.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 14:09:48 GMT -5
I'm intrigued by this older cat. She's a clone of our old man, Leroy.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 16, 2015 14:14:00 GMT -5
IF I get a cat, I would get an older cat. He looks adorable.
FWIW, I had gotten a kitten before and said never again. Granted that kitten turned into psycho kitty who I had to rehome. The older kitty (was 1) I had adopted was a great cat!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 14:17:14 GMT -5
Are kittens evil? Leroy is only my second cat besides barn cats. He was probably 8 months old when he got brought in the house and had two broken legs. I can't remember what the other one was like as that was like 23 years ago.
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