Advice Please, feline gingivitis Options

[zissyfoy]

My son and his wife have a kitty named Kittys. Last week she wasn't eating well so they got worried and took her to the vet. She is a young cat less than 3 years I believe and at the visit they diagnosed her with gingivitis and she needed to have 3 teeth removed and to have her teeth cleaned at a cost of 319.00. So since this is surgery they had to make an appt. and they took her in last Friday morning. During the day they were called because one of the teeth that they pulled took some of the bone with it so they needed to reconstruct that part of the bone and also said they needed to pull 3 more teeth but they didn't mention that it would cost any more but the kids assumed it would be just a bit higher but boy were they surprised. They went to pick her up and the bill was 800. and I thought my son would have a heart attack but he paid it because what are you doing to do?

Now here is where your help comes in. They took her for a check up at the same vet 6 months ago and she passed with flying colors. My son even asked them about Kittys breath because he thought it didn't smell very fresh and they just laughed it off and said it's probably what she ate. Now can someone tell us that gingivitis can attack a young cats mouth in just six months time? That just doesn't seem right to me. Kittys has to go back this coming Tuesday for a follow-up and he wants to bring all of this up to them but I'm just afraid they are going to give him the run around and that is why I wanted to know what he should do? Yes he's a grown man but he's my baby and I'm always looking out for them. I think it's horrible that Kittys had to suffer all of that as well. They have a baby coming in 8 weeks and 800. sure could have gone a long way with diapers and such.

Advice Please

[fleabag]

Well I didn't know anything about early onset gingivitis, so did some research. There is a genetic component for this ...and the symptoms are as you described with your sons cat. Dsh ,maine coone and siamese are the breeds prone to this ...
I think your son can certainly mention his early suspicions but I'm not sure there will be compensation..or apology ..sigh ..

[Kittytrim]

To me that sounds strange and the cost sounds a bit high to. Before coming over here to Aus we had and older cat she was 16 years old and did have gingivitis the year before but the vet cleaner her teeth and removed about 4 and told us that he had done his best for her and that she was and old cat so he done his best as at that age its not uncommon for cats of her age now that cost me about 45 pounds which is around $110. But the folowing year she developed and tummer in her jaw and saddly she was put to sleep.
Sometimes I think that second opinion is sometimes a good Idea and that will only cost you the vets normal fee what ever that is they charge. ( Don't tell them you've been to someone else so get the two opinions.)
But do be aware you do need to keep the cats teeth clean there is special cat foods you can get to keep kitty’s teeth clean rather than going to the vets ever six mouths to clean her teeth.
I do get this for my babies and I mix it in with there normal dry food.

Now to me I think the vets here in Aus sometime's are digging there arm in thats just my opinion but I ended shopping around until I found a vet that I was happy with and who I belive to be fair.
But no matter the cost, kitty needs to come first as They feel pain to and you wouldn't sit in pian or see your child in pain you would be off to the Doctors.