3 things -- 1, some states will allow a vet to legally exclude a pet from mandated vaccines if the animal is old or has adverse reactions. 2, there are people who do clean cat teeth without anesthesia. Obviously for extractions, you need to sedate them, but routine cleaning can be done without anesthesia. 3, there are other vets.

Alaska's regular Vet since she was a kitten so no vaccines post 15 years. BUT we moved.. and not that far away however new Vets say she must be vaccinated. So I have been going by hook or by crook to old Vet. Now... old Vet says Alaska needs dental cleaning with anesthesia and I say "no way to anesthesia" Unless God forbid she absolutely needs it!!

Just wanted to edit to add that Alaska is 18 and she's not in the best of health and weighs slightly under 5 lbs so I'm afraid for her to get anesthesia unless she really needs it.

The one place I wouldn't take my pet to if it could be avoided would be the Vet that's associated with PetSmart. In my opinion there they're really corporate about gouging people for pet care. Of course there's always "pet insurance" tho I had bought it and it didn't cover the things I ended up paying for when I had a cat that I took there long long ago..

If he has stomatitis (possibility) he is in pain and as everyone knows cats can hide illness. So his teeth are yellow- what do his gums look like? Pink and healthy or is the a fine red line above the teeth? I don't believe in over vaccinating either but he needs to be checked out. If your vet won't do it without shots, bite the bullet and do them or find another more sympathetic vet. Just a couple more things. Vets here are legally obligated to vaccinate - they don't want to get into trouble for not obeying the law and secondly, if a staff member is bitten by an unvaccinated animal you get into quarantine issues, possibly fines or being sued and worse, losing your pet. It is a fine line we walk to keep from over vaccinating!

First thing I would do is find another vet. All of the things Lynda says are true, but some vets are easier to work with than others. He needs to see a vet, with teeth there are a lot of issues that can cause the bad breath and it can be very painful, plus if there is infection it can effect other organs , such as the heart.

I do not do vaccinations, and my vet has never pushed me, we talk about it but it is my choice and I choose no. They had baby shots and they are never out or around other cats. My dog has seizures from the rabies shot so I chose no vaccines. I know that is not a popular stand with many but that is ok. I have several vets I work with and I have no problem. If they need surgery they are put in quarantine. The only problem I run into is with the dogs, can't board them or take them to training or some groomers.