$1100 later, i am the recipient of 7 tiny teeth. these are the teeth of my oldest cat, olive, who is around 15 years old now. veterinarians have always praised her on her excellent teeth and overall health. she never had any problems and sailed through life without any emergencies. that is, until she developed cancer.

unlike my other four elderly animals, olive managed to beat her cancer. her lymphoma has been in remission for almost two years now and she has been off her chemotherapy drug. she remains on several other medications, though, and likely will be for the rest of her life. she has an entire evening routine around taking medicine and treats. she’s at the point where she’s allowed to get away with anything. a perk of old age. 

despite having regular exams, no one caught how eroded her teeth were becoming. it wasn’t until she broke a fang right in half that one of her veterinarians noticed she needed a dental cleaning. did the cancer do this? or the chemotherapy drug, i wondered. i wondered what else was happening in her body as a side effect from the poison that saved her life. the vet said some of her teeth were so worn down that they were barely there. looking in the idexx bag full of irregular white sprinkles, i can see what she means. aside from one fang, none of the little flecks would register as teeth to me if i picked them up in the wild. i wouldn’t even notice them. 

the juxtaposition of caring for my elder cat and a new kitten is not lost on me. i was in my room for much of yesterday, either bonding with the kitten or with my elder cat while she steadies herself from the anesthesia. both wobbly and uncertain, but needing of as much love i can pour into them.