It ’s estimated that more than half of all pets over the age of three have some form of dental disease . That ’s a huge amount of dental problem !
Dental disease in cats often goes unnoticed because cat seldom show obvious symptoms of dental disease until the job is dangerous . That ’s why good home dental guardianship is essential to protect yourcat ’s teethand glue .
What is Dental Disease in Cats?
Dental disease is a of course hap process that pass off in both domesticated and feral kat . The problem starts with plaque – a muck of bacteria that forms on the teeth and under the gingival ( gum ) tissue .
When memorial tablet is n’t removed through steady brush it hardens into tartar . Tartar has a pugnacious surface which harbors more bacteria , permit new plaque to form more pronto . The same appendage occurs in man , which is why your tooth doctor recommend sweep your teeth after you eat to take away plaque before it harden into tartar – a process which hap within about 24 - 48 hours . Imagine if you did n’t sweep your tooth for months or years , and you may start to think what is materialize inside your cat ’s mouth !
qat , unlike human being , rarely get dental cavities . However , catsdo develop gingivitisand periodontitis like to man . cat can also develop resorptive lesion , a unique condition where tooth material is more and more broken down over metre .
Cats of any age can develop dental disease , but your cat is less likely to experience these trouble if you exercise a good unwritten hygienics routine at dwelling house .
Causesof Dental Disease in Cats
The primary movement of dental disease is a lack of good oral hygiene . The beneficial way to prevent dental disease in your cat is to sweep your cat ’s tooth daily with atoothbrush , finger encounter , or dental wipe and a pet - friendly toothpaste . This remove plaque from the tooth before it can harden into tartar .
Cat Dental DiseaseSymptoms
The first symptom of dental disease most favored proprietor notice is bad breath . While you may believe that malodourous breather is natural for animals , it ’s not ! A cat ’s breath should not have a unsympathetic odor . If it does , that is a sure sign of a problem and a good ground to schedule an scrutiny with your veterinarian .
Other signs of dental disease in your cat can include :
If you notice signs of dental disease in your cat , see your veterinarian for an exam and a discussion architectural plan .
While brushing your computed axial tomography ’s teeth regularly can prevent tartar formation , it can not take away existing tartar or turn back dental disease once it starts . Aprofessional dental treatmentfrom your veterinarian will be necessary to address your cat ’s dental disease .
Typesof Dental Disease in Cats
The three most common type of dental disease in cat-o'-nine-tails are gingivitis , periodontal disease , and tooth resorption . These shape can come at the same time with varying degrees of severity .
Gingitivitisis excitement of the gingiva ( gums ) . The gums become red , swollen , and painful due to the buildup of memorial tablet on the tooth and underneath the gums . As bacterium buildup on and under the gums , they release substances that damage the healthy gum tissue paper . The eubstance also mounts an resistant reply against the invading bacterium , result in inflaming . Gingivitis is characterized by blood-red , vain , and painful gums . In some instance , the gums may bleed when touched . Gingivitis can be reversed with thoroughprofessional alveolar consonant cleaningperformed under general anesthesia to speak the bacterial buildup both above and below the gum line .
Peridontitisis inflammation of the structures that bond the tooth to the underlie mucilage and os . The periodontium includes the gums , the cement ( the cover of the tooth ascendant ) , the periodontal ligament ( which attaches the tooth source to the bone ) , and the alveolar bone . Damage to these bodily structure is irreversible and do departure of support to the tooth . This can run to light tooth and tooth passing . Peridontitis is typically the result of untreated gingivitis , so address the trouble betimes is indispensable . Peridontitis is irreversible , and descent of the affected tooth or teeth under worldwide anesthesia will be command .
Tooth resorptionis the most common campaign of tooth going in cats , and it is not known why this process occurs . With tooth resorption , the crown and/or the root of the tooth is slow destroyed . The summons can begin either internally or outwardly . The solvent is slowly reformist holes in the dissemble teeth that are often painful and may also cause inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues . This process is irreversible and extraction of the affected teeth under ecumenical anesthesia is required .
Cat Dental DiseaseStages
Dental disease is typically stag when your ducky is under general anesthesia . The veterinary uses a dental probe and intraoral radiographs ( X - ray ) to valuate the point of disease present in your pet ’s backtalk . The disease is then categorize in stages as follows :
leg 1 : Gingitivitis . In this stage , there is only inflammation of the gingival tissue ( gum ) and no loss of support to the tooth .
Stage 2 : Early Periodontitis . In the second microscope stage , less than 25 % of the tooth ’s keep structure has been turn a loss .
Stage 3 : Moderate Periodontitis . In this stage , 25 - 50 % of the tooth ’s backing has been lost .
Stage 4 : Advanced Periodontitis . In the final point of dental disease , more than 50 % of accompaniment loss has been experienced .
Gingivitis is the only two-sided stage , and it can be doctor with professional dental treatment from your veterinarian . catch your CT ’s dental disease early is all-important to guarantee a good outcome and to pull through your favourite ’s teeth .
Once dental disease progresses to periodontitis , the result damage is not two-sided . With moderate and advanced periodontitis , extraction of the moved tooth or teeth is recommended to treat the reference of pain and infection .
Diagnosing Dental Diseasein Cats
The first gradation to diagnose dental disease is a thorough physical examination with your veterinarian . Your veterinary may recommend sedate your cat to enable a thorough examination of the oral cavity , which may be scary or uncomfortable for your computerized axial tomography while he or she is awake . Sedation allows your veterinary to amply open your pet ’s mouth and cautiously examine all of the tooth surfaces , so that potential problem like gingivitis and resorptive lesion can be identified .
If dental disease is diagnose on routine strong-arm test , the next step will be a thorough dental examination under general anaesthesia . This allows your veterinarian and the veterinary squad to perform dental probe , dental radiographs ( ecstasy - beam ) , and dental charting to document the wellness of each of your pet ’s tooth .
Cat Dental DiseaseTreatment
If any diseased teeth are identified , your veterinarian will discourse your treatment options with you . This may let in surgical procedure to extract the diseased tooth or teeth . Your cat ’s teeth will also be pick and dressed to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gum furrow .
Cost to Treat Dental Disease in Cats
The cost to treat dental disease in cats depend on the severeness of the disease and the available treatment option . However , pet owner should anticipate to drop $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 on a dental cleaning procedure , with the price varying depending on whether dental OR is also necessary .
How to PreventDental Disease in Cats
The best way to prevent dental disease is through a honest home dental charge regime . This should admit daily tooth brush . employ a favorite - specific toothpaste and a soup-strainer , finger’s breadth brush , or dental wipe to gently cleanse your favorite ’s teeth and along the gum line . This scale down plaque buildup and prevent dental disease .
Other home dental guardianship option include the usage of prescription drug veterinary dental diet , water additive , anddental treats . To ensure you ’re getting a product that has been test and proven to reduce plaque buildup , look for mathematical product label with theVeterinary Oral Health Council ( VOHC)seal .
