Step 1 – Admission and Pre-Dental Examination

When you arrive at the clinic, one of our veterinary nurses will admit your cat and review their medical history with you.

We'll discuss:

• Any recent changes in appetite or behaviour

• Current medications

• Previous anaesthetic history

• Any concerns you've noticed at home

Your veterinarian will then perform a full physical examination to ensure your cat is healthy enough for anaesthesia.

If pre-anaesthetic blood testing has been recommended, we'll review the results before proceeding.

This is also your opportunity to ask any last-minute questions before your cat's procedure begins.

Step 2 – Creating an Individual Anaesthetic Plan

Every cat receives an anaesthetic plan specifically tailored to them.

We consider factors including:

• Age (all cats above 10years old will receive intra-venous fluid therapy for at least 2 hours before dental procedure)

• Breed

• Weight

• Medical history

• Current medications

• Blood test results

• Previous anaesthetic experiences

This personalised approach helps us provide the safest possible anaesthetic for every patient.

Step 3 – Preparing Your Cat for Anaesthesia

Before the dental procedure begins, we'll gently prepare your cat for anaesthesia.

This typically includes:

• Placement of an intravenous (IV) catheter

• Administration of intravenous fluids for cats above 10 years old, or any cats with chronic illnesses

• Pain relief and mild sedation before the procedure begins

• Carefully selected pre-medication to reduce anxiety and improve comfort such as anti-nausea medication

• Your cat will be receive patient warming to improve core body temperature before general anaesthesia

• Certain breeds of cat or cats with chronic cardiac or respiratory illness will receive oxygen therapy prior to general anaesthesia

These steps help support your cat's circulation, allow medications to be administered safely and contribute to a smoother recovery.

Step 4 – General Anaesthesia

Professional dental treatment can only be performed safely under general anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia allows us to:

• Examine every tooth thoroughly

• Perform full-mouth dental X-rays

• Clean below the gumline

• Treat painful teeth safely

• Protect your cat's airway throughout the procedure

Contrary to a common misconception, dental cleaning without anaesthesia is unable to assess or treat the disease hidden beneath the gums where the majority of dental problems develop.

​

Your cat's vitals are also monitored by experienced nurses using:

• Multi-parameter monitor (SpO2, blood pressure, End Tidal carbon dioxide level, core body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate)

• Darvall warmed oxygen airflow

• Hotdog warming pad

• Mistral warmed air cushion

Step 5 – Full-Mouth Dental X-Rays

One of the most important parts of your cat's dental procedure happens before the teeth are even cleaned.

Every dental procedure at Fortitude Valley Vet includes full-mouth dental X-rays.

This is because approximately 60% of each tooth lies beneath the gumline, making many painful conditions impossible to detect by looking alone.

Dental X-rays allow us to identify:

• Tooth resorption

• Root infections

• Bone loss

• Fractured roots

• Retained tooth roots

• Advanced periodontal disease

Without dental X-rays, these painful conditions can easily remain hidden.

Step 6 – Professional Dental Cleaning

Once we've completed the oral examination and dental X-rays, we professionally ultrasonically clean your cat's teeth.

This includes:

• Removing plaque and tartar

• Cleaning beneath the gumline

• Polishing every tooth

• Recording findings on a dental chart

Professional polishing helps smooth the tooth surface, making it more difficult for plaque to accumulate again.

Step 7 – Do Any Teeth Need Removing?

Not every cat requires tooth extractions.

Our goal is always to preserve healthy teeth whenever possible.

If dental X-rays or our examination show that a tooth is causing pain, infection or cannot be successfully treated, extraction may be recommended to improve your cat's comfort and quality of life.

Every extraction decision is based on clinical findings rather than appearance alone.

Want to know how we make that decision?

​

Read our guide:

How Do Veterinarians Decide if Your Cat Needs a Tooth Extraction?

Step 8 – Recovery

Once the procedure has finished, your cat is carefully monitored while waking from anaesthesia.

During recovery we continue to monitor:

• Heart rate

• Breathing

• Blood pressure

• Oxygen levels

• Body temperature with Mistral warm cushion therapy

• Comfort and pain control

Our veterinary nurses stay with your cat throughout recovery to ensure they wake up calmly and comfortably.

Step 9 – Going Home

Before your cat goes home, we'll contact you to discuss:

• The findings from the procedure

• Any teeth that were extracted

• Home care instructions

• Pain relief medications

• Feeding recommendations

• Follow-up appointments if required

We'll also answer any questions you have so you feel confident caring for your cat at home.

​

Dr Nic's Clinical Perspective

 

One of the questions I'm asked most often is whether owners should be worried about the dental procedure itself.

In reality, most of our team's attention is focused on everything surrounding the dental treatment.

Planning the anaesthetic, monitoring your cat throughout the procedure, maintaining body temperature, providing effective pain relief and ensuring a smooth recovery are all just as important as cleaning the teeth.

One of the most rewarding moments is seeing owners return a week or two later telling us their cat seems happier, more playful and has started grooming themselves again. Those changes are a reminder that feline dentistry isn't just about healthier teeth—it's about restoring comfort and improving quality of life.

​

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a cat dental procedure take?

Most procedures take between one and three hours, depending on the severity of dental disease and whether tooth extractions are required.

Will my cat have stitches?

If teeth are extracted, dissolvable stitches are commonly placed to help the gums heal comfortably.

Can my cat eat after the procedure?

Most cats are able to eat later the same day or the following morning, depending on the treatment performed. We'll provide specific feeding instructions before your cat goes home.

Will my cat receive pain relief?

Yes. Pain management is an important part of every dental procedure. The type of medication used depends on your cat's individual needs and the treatment performed.

Is it normal for my cat to be sleepy afterwards?

Yes. Many cats are quieter than usual on the evening after their procedure. Most return to their normal routine over the following day or two.

​

Related Cat Dental Guides

If you'd like to learn more about feline dental care, these articles may also be helpful:

• How Do Veterinarians Decide if Your Cat Needs a Tooth Extraction?

• Why Do Cats Hide Dental Pain?

• Why Are Dental X-Rays Essential for Cats?

• Understanding Tooth Resorption in Cats

• Recovery After a Cat Dental Procedure

• Cat Dental Cleaning Brisbane

Is Your Cat Due for a Dental Assessment?

If you've noticed bad breath, red gums, difficulty eating, excessive drooling or changes in your cat's behaviour, it may be time for a dental examination.

Our experienced veterinary team can assess your cat's oral health, explain any findings and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.

Whether your cat needs a routine dental clean or more advanced dental treatment, we're here to help them enjoy a healthier, more comfortable life.

Book a dental assessment with Fortitude Valley Vet today and let us help keep your cat smiling for years to come.

​​​

We proudly care for cats from Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead, Teneriffe, Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Herston, Kelvin Grove, Paddington, Red Hill, Hamilton, Windsor, Albion and across Brisbane, combining advanced dental diagnostics, modern anaesthetic protocols and transparent pricing to help every cat enjoy a healthier mouth and a better quality of life.

Book your cat's dental assessment today and discover why so many Brisbane cat owners trust Fortitude Valley Vet with their feline companion's oral health.

​​​​​​

​

Reviewed by Dr Nic Cher, BVMS
Principal Veterinarian | Fortitude Valley Vet

Dr Nic Cher is a Brisbane veterinarian with over 15 years of experience caring for dogs and cats. He has a special interest in preventive healthcare, pet dentistry, pet longevity and helping owners make informed, evidence-based decisions to keep their pets healthier for longer.

​