Yes, it could be due to the bad teeth. I know of no alternative to removing the teeth and letting a vet check his mouth thoroughly. Also, gingivitis is not something to play around with.

The rotten teeth can lead to an infection and if the cat stops eating you could end up with a much higher vet bill.

Call around for other estimates, and check to see if there's a dentist specializing in dentistry. We have such a vet in our area and basic cleaning starts at $225 with additional cost for removal of teeth. That price includes exam, x-rays and cleaning.

With a 10 year old cat they'll also need some basic blood work to check her liver/kidney function.

Talk to the vet about minimal blood work, and also ask if they have a payment plan if you're unable to pay the full amount.

i'd be acting glum if i were in that condition, too. it's your pet and your responsibility to take care of his needs.

last wednesday i took one of my danes to a board certified vet dentist to have a tooth removed because of an abscess. turned out she had another tooth that was broken so he pulled that one, too. my girl is 13.5 years old, in the beginnings of heart failure and i still had it done even though i could have easily lost her with being put under general anesthesia. the alternative was

to leave her to live in pain and that wasn't an option i could accept.

if you don't want to spend the money to make your cat comfortable, surrender him to somebody who will.

Thanks for the tongue lashing. Have you ever heard the quote: "Judge not lest you be judged."?

sorry if that sounded harsh but seriously, i can't imagine not doing something to make your pet feel better. bad teeth can cause numerous other problems including heart disease. but you made it sound like you just didn't want to spend the money. pets, especially seniors, can get expensive.

Nina just spoke the truth. If you don’t get help for kitty, she will suffer more and more. It’s not going to get better, that’s for sure. See if you can find a vet who has some kind of payment plan available.

I agree that $700 is way too much. I don’t know where you live but see if you can check the poorer areas of town. I lived in a poor area and the vet there didn’t charge nearly as much for those things.

Thanks, but I'd be afraid to take him to a vet I know nothing about. There are some bad vets out there.

Your cat has a painful condition that will only get worse (a rotting tooth can quickly become a serious infection and/or a rotting jaw) and will potentially lead to a life-threatening condition like heart disease. If your vet charges too much find a different one. There is no magic wand to wave over this. Your cat requires medical care and needs your help to get it.

Teeth cleaning and extraction is fairly basic for vets to handle. Yes, for deep in surgery, I'd vet the vets out harder.

Do let us know the outcome!

My cat, Navi, had to have 6 teeth extracted! He's doing much better and the cat acne on his chin has cleared up, after draining on its own and my applying witch hazel to it often. I didn't do a good job of taking care of his teeth, but, I'm partially blaming my vet for telling me the bad teeth would fall out on their own & not to worry! He said this a few months ago, prior to the teeth cleaning & extraction. Go figure.

HU-516219980 I'm sorry but there is no way around it.

Here's some advice:

What I would do is pay the seven-hundred dollars

So you did pay it?

Yup. If I have the $, I spend it. What else is money for?

House bills?

Yes not everyone just had $700 laying around, but I'm glad you are so fortunate.

My mother-in-law's cat has the same problem but she is on social security and disability and makes a little over $700 a month she loves her cat like her child but can't afford to do what she can't afford. She is going to get him help one way or another but it's not so easy for everyone FYI.

Not sure if you're still checking in here, but while your cat is healing I suggest you take the time and search out a new vet. Check reviews online of local vets, and talk to friends & neighbors.

I would really question a vet's competence if he told me "the bad teeth would fall out on their own & not to worry!" No vet I've used, in the decades I've owned pets, would have ever said that.

Glad to hear your cat was treated and is now healing. With a history of gingivitis you'll need to have him checked regularly for flare-ups and possible teeth problems. Best to have a vet that can guide you in his care.