IV for teeth cleaning?

My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Do you have to do it? no. Is it a good idea.. yes. At those ages, it is
better to know of an underlying medical condition before going under
anesthesia. The IV will help provide fluids and a direct entry if there are
any issues and they need to administer medications or glucose.

If they were my cats, I wouldn't risk it. I'd shell out the money. If it
is a financial burden, do only one cat at a time.


"crash" wrote in message
om...
My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Do you have to do it? no. Is it a good idea.. yes. At those ages, it is
better to know of an underlying medical condition before going under
anesthesia. The IV will help provide fluids and a direct entry if there are
any issues and they need to administer medications or glucose.

If they were my cats, I wouldn't risk it. I'd shell out the money. If it
is a financial burden, do only one cat at a time.


"crash" wrote in message
om...
My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Do you have to do it? no. Is it a good idea.. yes. At those ages, it is
better to know of an underlying medical condition before going under
anesthesia. The IV will help provide fluids and a direct entry if there are
any issues and they need to administer medications or glucose.

If they were my cats, I wouldn't risk it. I'd shell out the money. If it
is a financial burden, do only one cat at a time.


"crash" wrote in message
om...
My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

You have to do bloodwork on older cats, generally over 10. I find it's good to
do bloodwork for the heck of it every once in a while and teeth cleaning is
every once in a while. Bloodwork is $35to$80 depending on how many tests they
do, and where.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.


I pay $55 for a cat dental not including xrays. They generally don't need
xrays. Anesthesia is $80 but I have a vet that does it without anesthesia if
the cat's okay with it. If your cat doesn't pass the blood test, cleaning
without anesthesia will have to be done. He'll also give you antibiotics which
are about another $10.

I don't do everything my vet tells me to do. Vets such as VCA recommend a ton
of tests just to rack up fees. After having many cats over many years, I have a
good idea about what makes sense and what's a waste of money. Sometimes they
also request extra tests just cover their behinds legally.

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

You have to do bloodwork on older cats, generally over 10. I find it's good to
do bloodwork for the heck of it every once in a while and teeth cleaning is
every once in a while. Bloodwork is $35to$80 depending on how many tests they
do, and where.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.


I pay $55 for a cat dental not including xrays. They generally don't need
xrays. Anesthesia is $80 but I have a vet that does it without anesthesia if
the cat's okay with it. If your cat doesn't pass the blood test, cleaning
without anesthesia will have to be done. He'll also give you antibiotics which
are about another $10.

I don't do everything my vet tells me to do. Vets such as VCA recommend a ton
of tests just to rack up fees. After having many cats over many years, I have a
good idea about what makes sense and what's a waste of money. Sometimes they
also request extra tests just cover their behinds legally.

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

You have to do bloodwork on older cats, generally over 10. I find it's good to
do bloodwork for the heck of it every once in a while and teeth cleaning is
every once in a while. Bloodwork is $35to$80 depending on how many tests they
do, and where.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.


I pay $55 for a cat dental not including xrays. They generally don't need
xrays. Anesthesia is $80 but I have a vet that does it without anesthesia if
the cat's okay with it. If your cat doesn't pass the blood test, cleaning
without anesthesia will have to be done. He'll also give you antibiotics which
are about another $10.

I don't do everything my vet tells me to do. Vets such as VCA recommend a ton
of tests just to rack up fees. After having many cats over many years, I have a
good idea about what makes sense and what's a waste of money. Sometimes they
also request extra tests just cover their behinds legally.

in article , crash at
wrote on 6/25/04 6:38 PM:

My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Wow. That is *awfully* expensive. I know I have a good vet but my cat had
all his molars extracted and had to stay 3 days and it was 250.00. My
mother has had teeth extractions and cleanings on her older cats (with blood
tests - I don't recall needing IVs) and her vet is much more expensive and
I'm sure it wasn't more than a couple of hundred dollars. Is this the same
vet?? The teeth *need* attention. They can cause very bad health problems
and even lead to early death, but can't you get some prices on some other
vets? At that age, the cats also do need the blood tests to make sure all is
OK for the anesthesia. Still, I think that is very excessive pricing.

in article , crash at
wrote on 6/25/04 6:38 PM:

My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Wow. That is *awfully* expensive. I know I have a good vet but my cat had
all his molars extracted and had to stay 3 days and it was 250.00. My
mother has had teeth extractions and cleanings on her older cats (with blood
tests - I don't recall needing IVs) and her vet is much more expensive and
I'm sure it wasn't more than a couple of hundred dollars. Is this the same
vet?? The teeth *need* attention. They can cause very bad health problems
and even lead to early death, but can't you get some prices on some other
vets? At that age, the cats also do need the blood tests to make sure all is
OK for the anesthesia. Still, I think that is very excessive pricing.

in article , crash at
wrote on 6/25/04 6:38 PM:

My two cats (ages 13 and 12) are going in next week for a dental
cleaning. The 13 year-old (Kitty) also needs a tooth extracted. The
last time I got this done (different vet), it cost $700+ for the two
of them (a couple extractions). The vet ran all kinds of blood tests
and an IV. I felt $700 was a bit much, so this time I resolved to
skip the blood tests and the IV. But the new vet also "strongly"
advises that I do the blood tests and IVs. So I'm facing another $450
or so this time (at least it's not $700, I guess).

My questions:

1) Do you have any opinions on whether the bloodwork and IV are
necessary? Hell, I didn't get that stuff last time I went under at
the dentist.

2) Do you also do everything the vet strongly advises you to do? I
mean, I don't want to skimp on the health care, but $700 (or $450) is
a lot for me right now.

Thanks in advance

Crash (Dave)

Wow. That is *awfully* expensive. I know I have a good vet but my cat had
all his molars extracted and had to stay 3 days and it was 250.00. My
mother has had teeth extractions and cleanings on her older cats (with blood
tests - I don't recall needing IVs) and her vet is much more expensive and
I'm sure it wasn't more than a couple of hundred dollars. Is this the same
vet?? The teeth *need* attention. They can cause very bad health problems
and even lead to early death, but can't you get some prices on some other
vets? At that age, the cats also do need the blood tests to make sure all is
OK for the anesthesia. Still, I think that is very excessive pricing.