FELINE DENTAL DISEASE

AN OFTEN HIDDEN AND THUS NEGLECTED PAINFUL CONDITION IN CATS

Dental disease can also be a problem in all age cats and many will require yearly dental cleaning.

Because it is difficult to look in a cats mouth, let alone brush teeth, dental disease is often hidden in cats and found only at regular veterinary exams. I cannot stress how important these exams are for catching and/or preventing disease early. 

The most common condition if periodontal disease of varying degres and involves inflammation at the gum line (red gums) and pregressive loss the the tooths periodontal ligament. 

All types of dental disease occur in cats, but a common one at any age is called cervical line lesions or focal oral resorptive lesions. These are little craters formed in the teeth, often at the gum line, that result in inflammation and pain. Teeth with CLLs should be extracted. We’ll often also see tooth loss and abscess formation with pronounced dental disease.

And finally, some cats develop a condition of severe inflammation (Gingivitis/Stomatitis) involving their gums and oral cavity and these pets must be medicated and treated aggressively to control their discomfort and often need full mouth extractions.