Is Dental Fresh water additive safe for my senior cat with kidney disease?

I would use this product only under the direct supervision of Sweetie's vet. The concern with seaweed, particularly in older cats, is that it is high in both sodium and iodine, which can exacerbate existing heart and thyroid conditions. I have not read any specific reports as to the effect of seaweed on the kidneys. The goal of this product is to keep tartar minimal on the crowns of teeth, but it does not slow or stop diseases under the gumline. As a result, I am not personally convinced of its efficacy.

Once your kitty had his dental cleaning , brushing his teeth with enzymatic tooth paste will prevent the build up of tartar and gingivitis. Brushing his teeth while he still has the excessive tartar will not remove it and also hurt the gums, as the gingivitis is painful. You can use water additives, but in my opinion they do not do much for the breath and his teeth. The bad breath is caused by bacteria in the tartar and below the gums. It will go away as soon as the teeth are cleaned.

You can try dipping the finger brush in tuna water before rubbing it on your cat's teeth to make the experience more pleasant. That may make Lily more willing to open her mouth. I would also cradle her from behind, cup her chin, and lift up her lip to clean her teeth. HealthyMouth's range of water additive products is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, and has been approved for the removal of plaque. I would recommend using one of there water additive products.

I've read many different studies and case reports, all with conflicting information regarding both the safety and efficacy of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) recommendations for cats with kidney disease. The tricky part with utilizing baking soda in this situation is that it can dramatically alter potassium levels which can be catastrophic, as well as causing an unintentional metabolic alkalosis. I would avoid giving baking soda to Kitty unless your vet specifically directs you to do so based on her current blood test results. Instead, I would discuss low protein prescription diets with your vet, as well as subcutaneous fluids on a regular basis, as these treatments are more likely to help slow the progression of kidney disease as much as possible. I hope that everything goes well!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think you are between a rock and hard place. I would find a Vet comfortable with Harley's kidney disease and is fast with dental extractions. Specialists aren't always the fastest at removing teeth. Sometimes the general practitioner is quicker and what Harley needs is to NOT be under anesthesia for 3 hours. Your Vet may just not feel comfortable with the severity of his teeth, his age and underlying kidney disease. Who and how they monitor anesthesia is also important. For the sake of his kidneys they need to be sure his blood pressure is stable and doesn't drop too low. I think you can have his teeth done, but there is risk due to his age and kidney disease but you don't have much choice at this point. I would find someone with in your budget that feels comfortable and you need to be willing to accept the risks and go for it. I wish you the best!

Age is not a disease in of itself. You will need to speak to your vet about whether or not it would be advisable to put her under anesthesia for a cleaning. Without her medical history it is difficult for me to say. If your vet does not feel it is safe, you should speak to them about the possibility of doing what is called "pulse therapy antibiotics" where you give her antibiotics for one week of every month to help keep the bacterial load down in her mouth. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Hello. I am sorry to hear that Tiger is feeling sick. Tartar and tooth disease can worsen heart disease, especially if there is already heart disease present, however anesthesia in a cat with HCM is going to have increased risks. The decision to go to surgery or not will have to be made with you and your vet, depending on the severity of Tiger's heart condition. You can try feeding him a dental diet to help prevent more tartar build-up and if he will let you you can try brushing his teeth. You won't get the stuff on there off without anesthesia and a dental cleaning, but you can prevent it from getting worse. Good luck with Tiger.