|










Center-Sinai Animal Hospital
Serving the Los Angeles Community since 1969
10737 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-3770
Full
range of pet care and emergency veterinary services available

New!
Follow us
on Facebook -- Share your photos and experiences with your furry
friends, find the latest
money-$aving coupons and $pecials at CSAH!
CONTINUED BY
POPULAR DEMAND!
Be sure to take advantage of our special:
50% off your pet's first grooming
visit with our talented groomers!
|
|
| |




|
ASK DR.
B:
CAT GUMS!
Read a question and answer from our archives here, and scroll down
to ask me a question you and your pet have been pondering! Check
articles and questions others have asked using the Ask Dr. B and Pet
Conditions buttons, and check our stories, too. Please note: if you
believe your pet's situation is critical, Dr. Baum urges you to contact
your vet
ASAP.

|
|
|
|
| |

 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Dr. Baum --
My 13 year old
cat has dental problems. He has a coating of brownish plaque all
over his teeth along with a green substance along the right back
side of his gums. His dental problems have been ongoing. What do you
believe this problem is? What can be done? Is it very expensive to
treat?
With my first check, I would love to fix this and hopefully prolong his life. I'm
16 and working part time and I don't have a lot of money. My mother
refuses to pay for vet bills. Please answer. Your advice could maybe
convince her to help me pay.
Thank you,
Corinne, NYC
Dear Corinne--
The basic question is
relatively easy, but the solution could vary from easy to complex.
What you describe on the teeth is a deposition of a substance known
as tarter. This results from a failure to keep the teeth clean.
Tarter is a good place for bacteria to hang out and cause infections
in the surrounding gums. When infections occur the gums will often
swell and have a foul odor. Ultimately the teeth start to loosen and
can fall out. Infections in the mouth can also cause problems in the
heart or kidneys. The obvious remedy is to have the teeth cleaned.
Depending on the cat's state of health this can be a minor procedure
or a more serious one as in most cases a general anesthetic is used.
My advice is to have your cat examined by a veterinarian. He or she
may want to do a blood test prior to giving an anesthetic.
After the teeth are cleaned and any infections are cleared up, you
should start a program of oral hygiene. This would consist of wiping
or gently brushing the teeth at home one to two times per week.
Costs for these services can vary from $200 and up.
Good luck!
Dr. Baum
NOTE: If you live in the Los Angeles area and your pets need care
for their teeth, check our weekly
low
cost dental clinics.
Scroll down to ask Dr. B a question, or click a pet to go back to:
|
Do you have a question for
Dr. B? Submit it here! Dr. Baum will answer as many of your questions
online as possible!
:
If your question is urgent, Dr. Baum urges you to contact your local vet to
insure you get the immediate care your pet may need. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Back to top |
|
| |
*Privacy information: Please note your
permission to post your question allows us to share the information with
other pets and their owners who may have the same issues to consider. We also reserve the right to publish questions and
answers in other media. We never sell your email address or other
information to third parties. Please check our
privacy
policy
for details. |
|
|
|
Ask us about
Pet Well Care, our own preventative health care plan

Email News
you can trust

CSAH Doctors' Hours
Monday - Friday:
8:00 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat.: 8:00 am-4 pm
Sun.: 10 am-4 pm
Drop-Off's, Pet Pick Ups, Medicine/Food Pickups
Not Requiring Doctors' Attention
Monday-Friday:
7:30 am - 9 pm
Sat.:
7:30 am - 4 pm
Sun: 10 am - 4 pm
Continuing Features
Videos, Photos and Stories of Remarkable Pets and Wild Critters We
Wanted to Share with You
Pet Pix and Videos
New!
CSAH Funniest Pet Photo Contest pix!
|