Zen, I know a lot more about dogs than cats, but I will say that this product, called Plaque Off is like a miracle.

Bartleby had really bad teeth issues, but once I began giving him this stuff, he simply stopped accumulating plaque. Now the redness part is a different problem, and we solve it with chewies and teeth brushing, but I assume you could get a piece of damp gauze around your finger and massage the kittie's gums at least a little bit. This would help stimulate blood flow and, maybe, break up the infection.

I should add that I know a 12 year old kitty who never even saw a vet, much less had her teeth cleaned, and she's fine. She has one tooth left, but she's totally able to eat and, frankly, cause a ruckus when the mood strikes her.

eta: OH, and I second the recommendation of finding an non-general anesthesia option. My bestie's two Shih Tzus just had their teeth cleaned without and they did just great. They are also 12.

I have had Bartleby's teeth cleaned in the past, but now that he is 9, would not do it again. Besides, the aforementioned Plaque Off has taken care of the problem!

We have our cats' teeth cleaned as needed, usually every couple of years. (In fact, the dentist gave us an adorable photo of Marie hiding behind a lamp in the waiting room.)

I'm not opposed in principle to sympathy cards for the loss of a pet. But an office that plays favorites when recognizing people's milestones has some pretty severe problems. (My office has a policy of, if we know when your birthday is, we'll celebrate it. I've made a point of keeping quiet about when mine is. But that's a conscious decision on my part, not something I think everyone should do.)

this product, called Plaque Off

In looking at their site, I see they make this for humans too. I think I'll try it on all of us!

In looking at their site, I see they make this for humans too.

Right! It started in Britain...obvious dental jokes avoided...and has had great success. I don't know about the people side of it, but I really can't say enough about what it has done for my pooch.

Interestingly, the specialty dentist I first worked with, gave me a totally inappropriate ration about how could I put anything in my dog's mouth that I would not put in mine (my response was...Um. He's a dog. Oh, and he eats dirt). But he neglected to mention this wonderful product. Why? Because it put him right out of business with me!

Because it put him right out of business with me!

Which is where I think Zen's vet is headed. Seriously, I made a note at my dentist to tell them there was one dental tech I refused to let clean my teeth, because it was a constant sermon on the "proper" way to brush and I obviously wasn't doing it. I brush, I floss, I rinse with mouthwash, I've got 29 of my original teeth at 52. My grandmother had none at my age. End of story.

Roundabout way of saying, I think Zen's vet is looking for more fees, less concerned with the animals health (still concerned, but $$$$).

Bonny, I'm sorry people are being stupid.

I'd just like to qualify that it's my own personal guilt that prompted my somewhat obssesive care for the cats' dishes and litter box. Not that anyone should follow my example, unless, you know, you have a commensurate level of freefloating guilt.

Our elder cat has persistent trouble with his ears, accumulates a staggering amount of wax, and even with welding gauntlets and face mask I wouldn't attempt to put gunk in his ears. So at his annual, the vet cleans his ears and checks his teeth. So far, so good, on the teeth. The younger guy gets his checked, and seems to have some gum issues. He's also FIV+ (the two don't share space), so everything with him is a bit more fraught. Prevention is key, so he gets vet-approved crunchies, and so far that seems to be handling the gum issues.

When TC (eldercat) was out for surgeries they went ahead and cleaned his teeth, too. He hasn't needed cleaning again, but we have both of them checked, annually.

Zen's vet is looking for more fees, less concerned with the animals health (still concerned, but $$$$).

There is a vet in my neighborhood who would be so convenient for my non-car having self, but whenever anyone asks 'the doggy lama' about local services, I tell them that I would not go to that guy if I was gut-shot myself. He is ALL about commerce over care...in so obvious a way as to be offensive. Can't even bother to be subtle about it.

Where I not completely bummed that his building has been bought by yet another restaurant, I'd throw a parade on his move out date.

Some vets, I think, just don't bother to be educated about what is really necessary for good care, so they go along with the med-school program. Others? Consciously exploitative. And that burns me up.

As a nice balance, we have a vet in Anacostia who is the modern embodiment of the practical, country doctor. Charges a third less than anyone else around here and will laugh you out of the office if you request anything 'foofy.'

There is a King of The Hill episode on this topic.

Bonny, I'm sorry people are being stupid.

Aw. Thanks Beverly. I could just cry.

The group talks this talk about how vibrant and sassy and professional and cutting edge we are...and I spent a lot of money to join them in order to make contacts and expand my network (their stated mission). But, when the rubber meets the damn road, they just want to make money off their members and make a splash in the media with their events. Since this one is about cutting edge stuff, but associated with women's health, they can't seem to be bothered to promote it.

The worst part? I could have said no when the president of the org roped me into participating. I just thought it would be a great way for a new member to contribute, AND to learn some great new stuff.

One of the speakers is going to talk about pelvic floor health, which, it turns out, is a MUCH bigger issue than ever I realized. Leaking when sneezing and pain during sex, two things a lot of women consider normal, can be totally eliminated, according to this speaker. I was really looking forward to learning about it!