Hi all!
My friend's 11 year old cat is having a tooth problem. She has a swelling on the side of her face, and a few teeth (on the same side) are very red at the gum. She's trying to find a low cost Vet, but in the mean time, does anyone have any suggestions? The cat (Sassy) won't let her brush her teeth, but is pretty good with pills. Her eye is also runny. She is a mixed breed, but has a very flat face.
Also, since her face is hurting, she's not doing a good job of grooming herself. Sassy's one side has a few matts. My friend can get them out, but then new ones crop right up. Any ideas on how to prevent matts? Her coat is kind of like an Exotic's.
Thank you!!
Syd

Sounds painful. I have no suggestions other than to take her to a vet. It sounds like an abcess or infection of some sort. If that is what it is, brushing the teeth won't help, but will only cause more pain.

Get her to the vet.

The only way I know of to prevent matting is to brush the fur daily....
I hope it can get resolved soon.

Concerning the teeth -- it sounds like Sassy has a gum infection (red gums, runny nose), so your friend can work on fighting the infection. Echinecea (1/4 tablet twice a day) and Vit C. (250 units per day) would be good for her overall immune system. For the teeth specifically, there's two things I've tried with success:

1. 1/4 c water, 1/8 tsp salt, and 3 drops tincture of myrrh. This can be swabbed on the gums once a day and works well.

2. 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 c warm calendula infusion (1 tsp dried herb, 1 c boiling water, steep 20 minutes). This too is a once a day swabbing.

You might also suggest she find someone who does teeth scaling without anethesia. They usually charge $50-75 (at least around here).

As for the coat, the only thing I know, other than combing, is salmon oil. (One capsule about every 2 days.) I was using it for another reason on a half-Persian mix and I did notice her coat was nearly perfect with no mats despise not being brushed.

Hope this helps!

Your friend's cat really needs to go to the vet as soon as possible and be put on antibiotics for an infection that is probably very painful for her. Just think of how much it hurts when people have an infected tooth.

I agree that the cat should get to the vet. That is a serious problem for cats, infections, pain,ect.
Our Sparky had some issues but they were taken care of by a vet and some medicine.

One of the problems with infected teeth is it can get in the bone, it can also affect the heart. Time to get to a vet for treatment.