What Causes Dental Disease in Cats

Dental disease in cats is a very common issue, especially when your feline friend gets older. Although dental problems are hard to detect by owners, they can be very painful for your cat. In fact, if left untreated, some dental diseases can cause serious issues like kidney and heat disease.

So, what are the most common dental diseases?

• Periodontal disease is the most common of cat dental disease. This is when bacterial plaque destroys the tissues, such as the gums, that support your cat’s teeth. The tell tail signs are redness, swelling and bleeding at the base of the teeth.
• Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions (FORL) is another common dental disease that presents as holes in the teeth. It is caused by the cat’s own inflammatory system destroying the tooth under the enamel. This can lead to infections and can be very painful especially if the crown of the tooth snaps off, leaving the root exposed.
• Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a more severe version of Periodontal disease. The exact cause is unknown, yet the presence of plaque not only destroys the tissue it causes inflammation resulting in red gums and ulcerations in the mouth. Some believe it is a connected to viral infections, or a hyper- immune reaction.

What are contributing factors?

Any cat can develop dental disease over time however, some cats are more prone than others. The following factors contribute to a higher risk of dental disease;

• Age of the cat. Older cats are more prone.
• Breed. Persians, Maine and Burmese cats are likely to suffer from dental disease.
• The cat’s diet is a factor in dental disease
• Baby tooth retention. It can cause food and bacteria to form.
• Trauma to the jaw or congenital issues can also contribute

Signs that your cat has dental disease

Many cats do not display obvious signs of dental disease and that’s why it may be difficult for an owner to detect a dental issue. We have put together a list of signs to look for in your cat to help identify dental disease as soon as possible.

• Bad breath
• Tooth discolouration or visible tartar
• Difficulty eating
• Drooling
• Loose or missing teeth
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Weight loss

How to prevent dental disease

To avoid dental disease in your cat, make sure you brush your cat’s teeth regularly, use tooth gels and provide a balanced diet to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Most importantly, make sure you take your cat to the vet yearly for a general check-up. Remember, prevention of dental disease will save your cat a lot of pain and suffering.

Karingal Veterinary Hospital

If your cat show signs of dental disease, seek expert advice as soon as you can. Feel free to contact the friendly staff at Karingal Veterinary Hospital to make an appointment or book online today.