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Name
Dental Disease, Feline
Short Description
Dental disease, Oral disease
Affected Animals: All animals can suffer from oral or dental disease, but only
cats develop external root resorption with chronic gingivitis or
periodontitis.
Overview:
Dental disease is a common feline illness, but it
often goes undetected. Few cats are willing to keep their mouths
open long enough for their owners to search for evidence of a
potential problem. It is essential to take a cat to the veterinarian
for regular check-ups so that any signs of dental disease will be
identified while in their earliest stages.
As with humans and other animals, cats frequently get diseases of
the gums and teeth. Build-ups of plaque and tartar cause gingivitis
and periodontitis. Also, feline diseases such as kidney failure,
feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus can lead to
dental disease.
Unlike any other animal, however, cats can develop a potentially
serious dental condition called external root resorption, sometimes
called "neck" lesions, in which holes or cavitations form in the
teeth at the gumline. Chronic gingivitis and periodontal disease can
cause external root resorption. This condition, which can be
intensely painful for the cat, sometimes will lead to the tooth
breaking off, leaving the root behind. A common dental disorder
affecting up to 50 percent of domestic cats, external root
resorption can be treated and possibly prevented through good dental
care.
Most dental problems can be prevented through professional dental
cleanings performed by a veterinarian. Certain cat foods also can
aid in the prevention of tartar. Cat owners should consult a
veterinarian about providing feline dental hygiene.
Clinical Signs: Typically, the clinical signs of dental disease
include ptyalism, dysphagia, halitosis, pawing at the mouth, and
oral lesions. There can be less specific clinical signs of dental
disease such as anorexia, inappetence, fever, dehydration, vomiting,
and lethargy. Cats with dental disease also may stop grooming and
develop an unkempt hair coat. Because chewing can be painful,
animals may begin to prefer soft cat food to harder varieties.
Symptoms: Foul breath, drooling or salivating more than
normal, difficulty eating, pawing at the face, and sores in the
mouth are common symptoms of dental disease. Some cats may have less
specific clinical symptoms such as loss of appetite or decreased
appetite, vomiting, laying around more than usual, and less interest
in grooming resulting in unkempt fur. Because chewing can be quite
painful, cats with dental disease may begin to prefer soft cat foot
to harder varieties.
Description: Dental diseases effect all animals -- including
humans -- but cats can develop certain dental problems that are
unique and very painful. All animals develop bacterial plaque on
their teeth, which hardens to form calculus or tartar. The calculus
then leads to inflammation of the gum tissue called gingivitis. As
the gingivitis worsens, the gums begin to become swollen, easily
damaged, and can bleed.
Without treatment, the gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. This
is a condition where the inflammation goes beyond the gumline and
extends deep into the tooth pocket and jawbone in which the teeth
rest. Bacteria often overgrow and can cause an infection called an
abscess. Periodontitis is a very painful condition for cats and they
will usually show signs of discomfort when the dental disease has
reached this stage.
Cats can develop a condition unique to them called external root
resorption, commonly known as "neck" lesions. When this condition
occurs, inflammatory substances begin to eat away at the tooth,
forming cavitations or holes along the gumline and leaving the
sensitive part of the tooth, the dentin, exposed and easily
stimulated. At this point, the tooth may become weak and break off,
leaving the roots behind in the bone. The roots can become attached
to the jawbone by the continuing bony reaction, resulting in pain
and discomfort.
Some cats can develop another severe dental disease called
stomatitis, which is the formation of painful ulcers in the mouth.
This condition can accompany severe gingivitis and periodontitis, or
it can occur because of other diseases such as calicivirus, feline
leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus. Every cat with
stomatitis should be tested for these viruses.
Diagnosis: The veterinarian will obtain a thorough history
of the cat's health and perform a complete physical examination. The
cat may need to be sedated so that the veterinarian can examine its
entire mouth for abnormalities such as ulcers, cancerous masses, gum
disease or gingivitis, broken bones or teeth, and foreign objects
such as string found under the tongue.
Other tests that may be done include a complete blood count, or CBC;
a blood chemistry profile, which will detect problems with the
function of organs such as the kidneys, thyroid, and liver; a
urinalysis; and tests for feline leukemia virus and feline
immunodeficiency virus. Many diseases that affect the organs can
cause problems with the mouth, such as ulcers. The veterinarian may
need to take x-rays of the head to see if there are any problems
with the teeth and the bones surrounding the teeth.
Prognosis: With good dental care and routine dental
cleanings, most dental problems can be cured or controlled. Cats
with underlying diseases may have persistent or recurring bouts of
dental disease.
Transmission or Cause: The causes of dental diseases include poor dental
hygiene, poor nutrition or a diet that does not aid in the
mechanical break-up of tartar, and teeth that are not aligned
properly. Many underlying illnesses including kidney failure, feline
leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus, also can cause
dental problems.
Treatment:
Treatment always begins with a professional
dentistry performed by a veterinarian. The cat is placed under
general anesthesia to allow the teeth to be cleaned, polished, and
checked for any abnormalities. Sometimes the veterinarian will need
to remove teeth to prevent future problems with pain or infections.
Antibiotics occasionally are given to cats with severe gingivitis or
periodontitis.
Home dental care often is very helpful in decreasing dental plaque
and tartar; it also stimulates the flow of blood to the gums.
Veterinary toothpaste must be used because human toothpaste foams
and can cause vomiting when swallowed. There are various fluoride
gels that can be applied topically to the teeth to help prevent gum
disease. A veterinarian can provide information about the different
products that are available for home dental care and can set up a
plan to maintain good dental care for the pet.
Prevention:
To help prevent the common dental diseases --
gingivitis and periodontitis -- it is important to provide good oral
hygiene, maintain good health, and provide a quality cat food that
is well balanced and helps keep the teeth clean. Generally, hard,
dry cat food is better at breaking down tarter and plaque than soft
varieties, but talk to a veterinarian about which of the different
diets that are available might be best for the cat's dental health.
Home care of the teeth is very beneficial in reducing the amount of
plaque and tarter buildup. Owners can attempt to brush their cat's
teeth with a small toothbrush and toothpaste made especially for
animals; human toothpaste can make animals sick and should never be
used on cats. Unfortunately, most cats will resist having their
teeth brushed or their mouth examined, so it is often necessary to
have the teeth evaluated professionally every year and cleaned by
the veterinarian as needed.
