In March Elizabeth (does not have HCM) had dental surgery to remove what was left of a resorption tooth root that for two years has not disappeared. The vet had also sewed up the pockets of gum around her canines-bucal bone-to keep out material that could lead to infection and deterioration of the bone and teeth.
BUT she continued to chew with pain as observed by chewing on the side of her mouth, tilting her head, nashing her teeth, etc. So, we went back last week to the dentist who removed what was left of the surprisingly unresorbed sutures and saw she had gum irritation along the surgery site. He gave her a shot of Cerenia-an antibiotic-and said to give her another in two weeks. By the next day, she was chewing normally again.
If your cat is chewing funny, they will need xrays, a dental cleaning, and possibly surgery. All cats should see a cardiologist for an ultrasound of the heart to determine if the cat can undergo anesthesia safely before ANY type of surgery even if they have had one in the last year because anesthesia can cause major life threatening complications. And heart disease can suddenly appear from one year to the next.
And if you think there is still irritation of the teeth post-op, trust your gut and take the cat back to the dentist for a recheck. You are likely correct about what you are seeing. As with everything with your pets, if you think something is wrong, likely it is so take the cat to a vet.
HCM cats CANNOT have surgery because they cannot have anesthesia because it lowers the heart rate and that can lead to stress and CHF and increased complications. If an HCM cat needs surgery that cannot be avoided, careful discussion and a plan around managing the HCM condition and possible complications must be made, with a plan to save the life as needed, and close recovery monitoring post-op at a hospital for a day or so, and further close and careful monitoring at home.
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