sebastian the cat gets gold teeth

Published: August 20, 2006, 7:27 am

Sebastian the Cat Gets Gold Teeth

ALEXANDRIA, Ind. (Aug. 16) - This cool cat has traded in his catnip for some bling. Sebastian, a one-year-old Persian with long black hair, sports gold crowns on his two bottom canines, which grew sticking out from his lips in an underbite similar to a bulldog's.

His owner, dentist David Steele, said he gave Sebastian gold crowns to help strengthen the fanged feline's teeth. Steele said he was worried the unique canines would break off or become a problem.

"It's possible to work on animals the same way we do humans," he said. "I did it to strengthen (Sebastian's) teeth, but it had an excellent cosmetic result. The cat gets a lot of attention now. Everyone is tickled to death when they see him."

Sebastian's two gold teeth protruding from his furry face make him seem a little menacing, like a hip-hop star's guard-cat or a movie villain's pet. The feline didn't seem too happy with his new look at first.

"He's normally around me all the time," Steele said. "After I put the crowns on, he didn't 'speak' to me for two days."

When Sebastian was tranquilized about a month ago to get his coat trimmed, Steele used the occasion to take impressions of his teeth. He then sent those impressions to a company that prepares crowns for his human patients.

"They called back and asked me what I was up to," Steele said.

Two weeks ago, veterinarian Larry Owen tranquilized the cat at the Alexandria Animal Hospital about 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis so Steele could do the dentistry work, which took about 15 minutes to complete.

Owen said putting gold crowns on teeth can be done for any pet with a dental problem.

"Mostly, though, it was a fun thing to do," Owen said. "(Steele is) always up to something or trying something new."

Steele said he has put a crown on a cat once before, after the animal was hit by a car. He also put a gold crown on his Boston terrier.

Steele said the cost for each gold tooth is about the same as for humans - about $900 each

Entry #674

Comments

shalini - Aug 20, 2006, 1:08 pm

its funny what people will do for their pets...when my great uncle passed away, my great aunt had him cremated at the electric crematorium...yet when her corgi( from the late queen mother's dog) passed away a few months later she had him cremated in sandalwood ( which by the way is a horrendously expensive naturally scented wood).

justxploring - Aug 20, 2006, 4:16 pm

"Mostly, though, it was a fun thing to do," Owen said.

I know blog entries are supposed to be positive and fun, but my first thought was "FUN FOR WHOM?" I hope that the animals they're talking about really needed the "dentistry" to live a normal life. I realize teeth are important, but my neighbor has a cat she adopted that was found outside with no claws or teeth. He's gained a lot of weight, is very healthy and eats just fine. Maybe the crowns were therapeutic, but I doubt if Sebastian cares about the attention he's getting from his gold crowns, however, the dentist seems to be enjoying it. His story was on ABC, a couple of cable news networks, and in several newspapers.

Shalini, I think it's that unconditional love that they give that makes people do nutty things. However, I do believe in giving a pet a funeral and a proper burial, although a plain wooden box is certainly adequate, especially for cremation.

fxsterling - Aug 20, 2006, 6:49 pm

a year ago I was at the Dentist and asked about gold teeth for my dog It was a joke (flavor flay) But know it's a gold mine The funny thing the VET could do it (worked at Zoo ) (MY DOG BOSTON TERRIER)

sebastian the cat gets gold teeth

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