Conference misery::feline_v1

If you're really uncomfortable with what the vet said, get a second
opinion.  However, it is not something I would expect to hurt the
cat (I'm sure this will affect the "showability" of the cat, but
health-wise all should be ok)...especially if
the cat is an in-door kitty and gets all food in the processed form,
can or kibble.  As a ferel cat, he might experience problems gettting
into the "natural" packaging for his food....

    I would ask for a referral to a vet who specializes in dental
    problems, just to see what he or she says.
    

    I've seen this in one other cat, a black Persian (Longhair in the
    UK) male which came from two top show quality cats of close breeding.
    The lower jaw juts past the upper and the lower canines are exterior.
    In this cat pulling the teeth would not help.  Unfortunately ruined
    his show career as this is a definite defect.  Cat is healthy as
    is.
    
    Frank

    Funny you should mention this at this time - I just took one of
    my babies to the DENTIST! last night - Her problem is that her
    upper canines have not formed properly (too small and not long
    enough) causing her upper lip to curl under on both sides.  The
    lowers sort of rest in the sockets where the deciduous teeth were.
    She sure can look silly when her lips curl under on both sides.
    Anyway, to shorten this - the dentist X-rayed her upper jaw
    and he found that she had all six teeth - 2 central incisors
    to laterals, and the two canines - but they probably wouldn't
    get much longer.  She eats with no problem and the irritation
    on either side of her lip is about 100 % better - he said not
    to file down the lower canines because they would irritate her
    for the rest of her life.  If you want to give him a call, send
    me mail and I can give you details.  His wife is a breeder and
    he is an excellent dentist.  Maybe just talking to him over the
    phone will help.
    
    E.T. + "13" 

    re: .4
    
    "THIRTEEN" ???? Did you say 13?  do I hear 14?
    
    There are these 2 brothers who *really* need a home, Elaine.
    How 'bout it?
    
    	;-)

    Wellll, yup "13".  This little 6-month baby boy has a very serious
    eye problem that will require laser surgery - I don't think that
    I can handle any more right now.  I'm moving this Monday to the
    new house - guess that should be VERY interesting!  I REALLY
    wasn't going to take ANY more, Penn.  But, someone offered me
    an American Shorthair Silver Classic Tabby (my favorite breed)
    they wanted him to go to someone that would have his eye fixed.
    The first vist to Dr. Bachrach (sp???) in Lincoln, MA costs 
    $55.00 - not including medication or lab work, so.........
    I have to get this boy healthy first and get settled in the
    house - my almost-new red baby boy is finally doing very well.
    He set us back a bit - but, boy is he just something else!!
    I'm finally going to be able to show him in March - he had a
    really tough start!  
    
    Give me a break, Penn - I think that right now there is, "No
    room at the Inn."
    
    ZhivagoCat Lady !!

    Re: 13, teeth, eyes
    
    I guess you don't need a quilt at night.  :-)
    What's going on with his eye?  Speaking of teeth, Sweetie had
    a root canal awhile back.
    

    I have seen the teeth out of the mouth thing many times.  Breeding
    very extreme persians, this is a common defect.  I have owned two
    or three of them at one time or another, and none of them ever had
    a problem eatting.  
    
    Sure does make them look "mean" though.
    
    I wouldn't worry much about it, but even if you pull the teeth (which
    I don't suggest) you probably won't be able to show the cat.
    
    purrs
    cin
    

    Well Karen, he had some medication when he was too young to
    handle it - just a mistake - he looks like he has a cataract,
    but it's scarring on the cornea, not the lens, which is easier
    to fix - that's what I think now - will know more a week from
    Thursday when he sees the opthamologist.  I am very hopeful
    that whatever this doctor does will be very successful!  
    
    Sweetie had a root canal - wow - I wouldn't have one myself!
    Sounds nasty.  
    
    As to a quilt - silly me put a down comforter on my bed -
    now I have a cat comforter on top of the down.  They love
    it - I usually can't even turn over!  Gee, Miyagi has the
    spare pillow - 14-pound Timothy wraps himself around the
    top of my head - I can hardly wait to set up the guest
    bed in the guest room - I will put a dummy in it -
    maybe I can fool them and they will sleep there!
    
    E.T.

    Hi Elaine,
    
    You'll really like Dr. Bachrach.  He's terrific (and expensive!)
    and he's great with cats.  The office is currently expanding, so
    beware of the construction going on around the place.  And tell
    him Chauncey says HI!!
    
    As for dentists, too bad Doc doesn't do kitty dentistry full time,
    but if he did, who would clean *our* teeth???  Which reminds me,
    I've got to get old Chaunc in for a cleaning....
    
    Mary

    Thanks Mary!  That's really good to hear - I wish his appointment
    was today!  I'm really worried about his eye - I just hope this
    short delay won't mess anything up....  I will tell him that
    Chauncey say HI (meow).  
    
    E.T.

    Oh, BTW, I will be on vacation for the next 2 weeks - so if I
    don't tell ya how the appointment went, I will when I return!
    
    E.T.

    Just a short update on Primo's protruding jaw.
    
    The teeth have not grown into the lip as we were primarily concerned
    would happen so he still has his full complement (and a big tummy
    to show that it has not affected his eating at all). The only thing
    now is that when you cuddle him and he grooms your hand in return,
    when he tries to lick you the two lower canines scrape gently against
    your skin. It's a cross between a lick and a nibble (and totally
    adorable !!).
    
    Thanks for all your advice, we all appreciated it.
    
    Brian and Adrienne & Mean-faced Primo, Suki, Scooby and Little One