OCD- score a point for me!

Alex has a condition known as FORLs. It is where the body reabsorbs the teeth- and is very painful. We discovered this problem several years ago, and she had to have four teeth removed and the other teeth cleaned to try to delay it for the remaining teeth. At the time, they were uncertain as to what caused it and the only option was to remove the teeth.

When my cats reach 8 years old, I've made it a habit to take them in at the half-way mark between annual exams. Last year, Dr. Ledbury's office started a new protocol with complete blood work-up that you can have done at the annual exam. He told me that if the labwork came back normal and noone showed signs/symptoms of problems that I could feel comfortable about not bringing my "seniors" in for a six month check. I concurred and began that program this year with ALL the cats.

However, given that Alex has FORLs, my OCD required that I take her in for a six month tooth check anyway. She is the only one of my cats who will not allow me to inspect her teeth/gums routinely. Ironic, huh?

So, today I took her in for said tooth check, expecting to be in/out in a minute or so, but unfortunately she had three teeth showing early signs of FORLs. New research/protocol has shown that early detection (thank you, OCD), a steroid shot/round of antibiotics can actually halt if not REVERSE the FORLs, thus saving the teeth and preventing pain as well. We are hopeful that we caught it in time.

I am sorry that she has the flare-up, but thankful to God for my powerful sense of intuition with which he has gifted me, and thankful that I listened to it. Sometimes I doubt myself, because I worry that I am obsessive. But, Dr. Ledbury never makes fun of me and I think he is starting to be rather impressed by it. I'm usually dead spot on.

I'm grateful to have such a wonderful vet who works with me to take such good care of my animals. I certainly couldn't do this without him.