KayCee, my very first rescue cat, has been suffering with her mouth for the past month - I think it is her teeth because she has had problems with them in the past and the Vet said that some cats do have recurring problems no matter what oral food etc that you give.
Took her to the Vet about a month ago to ask them to carry out a dental and due to her age (she was rescued 7 years ago but I think she was about 8-10 then) they suggested we carry out blood tests first. Being a responsible owner I said okay. Bloods came back and I think it was her globulin that was raised so the Vets said they wanted to do a coronavirus titer on her as if that level was raised could be a sign of FIP (My Vets are a bit paranoid about me and FIP after Pagan I think). I asked if we could carry out the dental anyway but, no, they wanted to get the result in first. Had to take her in for another blood sample for this test so already a week has passed.
Took her in for second blood sample and saw different Vet and asked him to look at her teeth as she is still not eating - he had a look and said "yes" she had periodontal disease but we needed these results back.
Four days later the results come back and she is coronavirus positive, titer of 10,240 (coincidentally exactly the same result as a cat I had some notes on recently from another Vet). When the Vet gave me the result he basically stated that they would now not allow Kay-Cee into the hospital for dental work as there is a huge risk that she will shed coronavirus whilst in the dental room and they would not be able to keep the area clean.
I understand that they have concerns but surely it is unfair to deny my cat treatment that I feel is desperately needed. They are a veterinary hospital and should be able to deal with such situations. How many cats go into a hospital that have never had blood tests and are corona virus carriers and shedders.
The Vets have given me antibiotics to try and combat any infection and have advised they want to retest in six weeks to see if her titer level has gone down. I bluntly told them she would not be around in six Weeks . "Why?" they asked - because she is not eating and will have starved to death by then I said
I am trying to hand feed her at the moment but her mouth is so uncomfortable and her jaw makes terrible noises.
I am taking her back to the Vets tonight. Simone, the Vet on tonight is a feline specialist (went to Australia especially to do her feline medicine degree) and has also written a thesis on FIP so hopefully she will have some different outlooks. I am also going to hand feed Kaycee whilst I am there so they can see the trouble she has with her mouth.
You think you are doing the right thing by having them tested before ops but maybe next time I will not bother if it means a cat of mine gets the treatment he/she needs.