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A Day at the Vet - Follow Jupiter's Dental Procedure

Meet Jupiter—a spirited 8 year old tortie girl who is a regular patient at Melbourne Cat Vets..Jupiter recently came to the clinic for a dental cleaning procedure, and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share what a day at our clinic looks like. If you’ve ever been curious about what goes into feline dental treatment, Jupiter’s visit gives a great peek behind the scenes!


Morning Check-In: The Calm Before the Clean


Jupiter arrived bright and early, tucked comfortably in her carrier. She was pretty peckish, as she'd only had a small snack so far that morning. Her owner had made sure that all the necessary preparations had taken place for the day ahead.


It is important that steps are taken to ensure that the trip into the hospital for cats is as calm as possible. This makes it less stressful for everyone involved - not least out precious feline patient! For more information check out our blog post on pre-visit strategies.


Cat peering through a mesh cage, with wide eyes. The setting is gray with a black and gray carrier, creating a curious mood.
Jupiter arrived safely tucked into her carrier.

After a quick cuddle with her owner Stephanie, our team admitted her into the procedure ward and gave her a gentle once-over to make sure she was healthy and ready for the day.


Person in glasses hugs a tortoiseshell cat in an office. Gray walls, a wall clock shows 1:15, window light. Calm atmosphere.
Jupiter's owner, Stephanie gave her lots of reassuring cuddles during the admission appointment.

Preparation is Key


Before any dental procedure, cats undergo a thorough pre-anesthetic exam. Jupiter also had some bloodwork done to ensure everything looked good internally.




As Jupiter also has some previously detected heart changes, she underwent a heart ultrasound (also known as echocardiography). This extra precaution helps us tailor her care and anesthesia to her specific needs. We knew that her heart was pretty healthy from previous scans, but wanted to make sure that there were no significant changes since last time.


A person holds a cat's paw during an ultrasound exam. The cat lies on a table next to a screen displaying ultrasound images.
Jupiter getting a pre-anaesthetic heart ultrasound

Time for the Procedure: Lights, Monitor, Action!


Once Jupiter was settled and the pre-anaesthetic testing was complete, we gave her a light anaesthetic so she could sleep peacefully through the procedure. Dental cleanings in pets require anaesthesia—not because they’re always particularly invasive, but because it allows us to do a safe and thorough job without causing stress or discomfort.


While she snoozed, we monitored her closely with equipment that tracked her heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Jupiter was in safe hands the entire time.


If you're interested in learning more about our anaesthesia monitoring check out these blog posts!






We initially took dental X-rays to check for any hidden issues below the gumline. In Jupiter’s case, no extractions were required. Dr Carolyn then got to work, looking for any hidden gum issues and then gently scaling and polishing her teeth, just like at a human dental cleaning.


Tortoiseshell cat under anesthesia on a teal towel, undergoing a dental procedure with a machine. Medical setting with gentle lighting.
The first step is to obtain dental xrays of all teeth

X-ray image of a cat's head displayed on a computer screen, showing bones in profile. Background includes medical software interface.
Specialised computer software is used to view the high-definition dental xrays

A vet in pink gloves examines a cats's teeth with a dental tool. The cat is on a gray surface with visible tubes, in a clinical setting.
A dental probe is used to feel under the gumline for defects in the tissue that attaches the teeth, indicating periodontal disease


Diagram of cat teeth with labels: incisors, canines, premolars, molars. Upper and lower sections, colored in green, yellow, blue.
A dental chart used to keep track of an individual cat's dental health

Below are videos of Dr Carolyn in action, scaling and then polishing Jupiter's teeth. These are exactly the same techniques used in human dentistry.


Dental scaling to remove plaque and tartar

Polishing helps to temporarily reduce plaqure formation.

The dental cleaning and polishing process helps set up the ideal oral environment for effective home dental care. To read more, check out this blog post.

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Waking Up: Soft Blankets and Sweet Dreams


After her dental procedure, Jupiter was moved to recovery, where a team member stayed nearby as she slowly woke up. She had a heated pad and a soft warm blanket to make her feel comfortable and secure.




Once she was fully awake and alert, we offered her some tasty post-op food. Which she enthusiastically scoffed!


Cat in a cage on a soft blanket, near an empty food bowl. Blue towel nearby. The mood is calm and curious.
More lunch please!!

Home Again, With a Sparkling Smile


Jupiter’s dental day ended with her owner Stephanie collecting her in the late afternoon. We went through all of the testing results, and gave her instructions on how to look after Jupiter during the final phase of her anaesthetic recovery. To view our post-op booklet please click here.


A tortoiseshell cat rests in a black mesh carrier. A cute cat tag labeled "Jupiter" hangs outside. Calm and cozy atmosphere.
All done and ready to head home!

Dental health is an important part of overall wellness for cats. Many may hide signs of dental discomfort, so regular checkups and cleanings can make a big difference in keeping them happy and healthy.


For more information about common dental issues in cats please check out this blog post.


Have questions about your own cat’s dental care? We're always happy to chat and help you decide what’s best for your furry friend. Jupiter would definitely approve. 🐾

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