Tater's vet visit recap and dental concerns

Hi everyone. Just got back from Tater's appointment and my head is spinning. She is 10 and we finally confirmed stage 3 CKD. Her creatinine is elevated, which matches what I read in Understanding senior cat bloodwork.

The scary part is the dental work. She needs extractions. I am a teacher, so I handle kids all day, but I feel completely out of my depth with this. Sam is 6 and totally healthy, so I don't want to stress him out with the changes.

I have been looking at Dietary adjustments for Stage 3 CKD but I am worried about her appetite. If I switch her food, will she even eat? Also, I am terrified of the recovery period. Does anyone have advice on Recovering from feline dental work? I don't want to make it worse.

Oh no, that sounds like a lot to process at once. Maple is 5 and he loves the outdoors, so I don't have to worry about indoor accidents, but I feel for you. Tater is a good name.

For the dental part, I think the biggest thing is keeping the air clean. If she has to wear a cone or Elizabethan collar, it can make breathing feel weird, especially if she has any respiratory issues. I know you mentioned CKD, not lungs, but it is all connected. Maybe look at Outdoor access vs. indoor safety to see if you can make her indoor space feel more like a sanctuary while she recovers?

@KettleMaple thank you. I am actually trying to keep Tater indoors more anyway because of her age. I am not sure I agree with the outdoor stuff, but I get that cats need stimulation. I am more worried about the food. I read in Dietary adjustments for Stage 3 CKD that I need to change her protein, but she is already picky. Sam is the opposite, he eats anything, which is nice.

I am an architect, so I like to think in terms of structure. For the recovery, you need to control the environment. Whiskey is 7 and very picky, and Cola is 2 and playful, so I know how hard it is to keep a cat still.

I suggest you look at Cat-proofing a house but apply it to her recovery zone. Block off the stairs if she has them. Remove any small objects she could chew on if the anesthesia makes her loose. Also, if you are changing her diet, do it slowly. I have a thread I contributed to about Feeding strategies for picky cats that might help with the transition. Don't rush it.

@greg_walsh that is really helpful. I am going to set up a separate room for her. I have a spare closet that is big enough. I will look at that feeding thread. I am just worried that if I change her food now, she will refuse it, and then I will have a cat with kidney disease and no food intake. That is a nightmare scenario.

Jasper is 5 and hyperactive, so he is the last one to listen to me. But for Tater, you need to watch the water intake. CKD cats dehydrate fast. If she is not eating the new food, you can't just force it. I think the answer depends on her health history and how much she is drinking. Check out Understanding senior cat bloodwork again to see the hydration markers. If she is dehydrated, the dental work might be delayed. Call your vet if she stops eating for more than 24 hours. That is not a wait and see situation.