Cat's Need Dental Cleanings Too!

When was the last time you looked in your cat’s mouth; or smelled their breath? Most cats are not as willing as dogs to let you lift their lip and let you see what is actually going on with their teeth and gums. They are very good at hiding mouth pain and problems. At West Ridge Animal Hospital we recommend bi-annual exams for your feline friends, which allows us to stay on top of dental disease and catch problems early.

One of the most common dental problems we see in cats are feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, more commonly known as FORL, neck lesions, or cat cavities.  Some researchers have come to the conclusion that FORL’s occur because of the acid produced by periodontal disease. Some lesions are very apparent on an oral exam but others can be hidden by inflammation of the gingiva. Dental radiographs are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. In most cases, the affected tooth will need to be removed to stop the further spread of disease and to make the cat more comfortable. 

Feline stomatitis is another common problem seen during routine oral exams. “Stomatitis is severe inflammation or ulceration of the oral gum line, and is a debilitating disease for affected cats.” Common signs of stomatitis include foul breath, difficulty in eating and excessive drooling. Although occasional cats will respond to medical treatment, commonly, extraction of most or all of the teeth provides the best likelihood of relief.

 

The time is now to find out if your feline friend is in need of a dental cleaning or dental care. Please give us a call for a complimentary evaluation of the teeth by a technician, or schedule an appointment for a full exam with a doctor. We are happy to discuss how to keep you cat mouth happy and healthy.