Dental disease (periodontal) is the most common oral disease of cats, affecting up to 80% of animals over the age of 3. It causes inflammation that affects the structure of the tooth and dental plaque is the main cause of this.
This can result in:
Tooth resorption – this is particularly common for cats. It refers to the destruction of the hard tissue on the surface of the tooth root. The cause of this is still unknown and the treatment for it is tooth extraction.
Fractured teeth – this can be due to trauma from fighting, road traffic accidents, falling and chewing on bones. The canine (fang) teeth are most affected. Fractured teeth are often painful and may result in a loss of appetite or a change in your cat's eating habits.
Oral inflammatory disease – this includes gingivitis and may require long-term management.
Oral neoplasia – a cat's mouth can also be a site for cancer. This is another reason why dental checks are so important.
What PVH can do to treat periodontal disease?
Our veterinary nurses offer FREE dental checks. This involves an examination of your cats mouth, in order to determine if further treatment is needed. Our nurse may also ask you some questions about your cats eating habits and behaviour. So if there is anything you are concerned about, you can BOOK an appointment for your feline friend.
Your cat's annual vaccination includes a THOROUGH health check with our vet. This is another great opportunity for your cat to be examined and should your cat need further treatment, our vet can discuss this with you and answer any questions you might have. More frequent visits are recommended as your cat ages.
If a DENTAL PROCEDURE is required, we can make an appointment on a day that is most convenient for you. We perform dental procedures on an almost daily basis. However, we understand how worrying it can be when your pet needs a procedure, so we will go through it step by step with you.
What YOU can do at home, to prevent and treat periodontal disease?
Active home care – this involves brushing your cat's teeth with a specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Follow the link HERE for more details on how you can begin this. However, we recommend an examination of your cat's mouth before beginning any home care, to ensure there are no painful areas.
Passive home care – this includes special dental diets. It has been shown that when they are fed a complete diet, the result is less plaque and gingival inflammation. There are also a range of chew and treat products that claim to aid dental health. However, they should be used in combination with active homecare and not relied on solely to prevent plaque build-up.