For cats, as well as for humans, it is very important to maintain healthy teeth. Snow-white fangs are not only a sign of beauty, but also the health of the pet as a whole. If the owners do not professionally breed cats and do not participate in exhibitions, then most often they do not pay attention to the condition of their pet’s teeth. It often doesn’t occur to anyone that a cat’s oral cavity needs good hygiene. Often, due to the negligent attitude of the owner, periodontal disease occurs in cats. This is an inflammation caused by accumulated bacteria.
About the disease
Periodontal disease in cats is practically no different from periodontal disease in humans. The cat has 30 teeth. As in humans, a kitten’s milk teeth are replaced by molars in childhood. Around the base of the tooth is a periodontium. This is a special complex that is responsible for the function of the crown and jaw. Periodontal includes the hole in the gum and the bone part.
When a cat begins periodontal disease, it affects this area. If the owner of the pet noticed a strange plaque on the teeth of the pet, then you need to know that the accumulation of bacteria that can provoke the disease has begun. Periodontal disease in cats, the treatment of which must be started in the first stage, is developing rapidly. Microorganisms act to reduce the gingival margin, preventing the gingival margin from regenerating, and penetrate the bone part, destroying it. As a result, the animal may lose damaged teeth.
Causes of the disease
As in humans, the main cause of the disease is the lack of cleanliness of the oral cavity. The formation of plaque after eating can provoke the growth of bacteria and suppuration. But lack of hygiene - these are not all the causes of the ailment.
The main reasons include:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Often, periodontal disease is a consequence of a malfunction in the body.
- Injury to the oral mucosa. If the animal is injured or scratched in a fight or careless game, the spread of periodontal disease and the inflammatory process is quite possible.
- Lack of vitamins and minerals. It is worth noting that the owner must carefully monitor the diet of his pet. Cats living at home cannot compensate for the lack of vitamins on their own.
- Inflammatory processes. Stomatitis and gingivitis can trigger the onset of the disease. Therefore, if an inflammation of the oral cavity is detected, the owner should immediately seek help from veterinarians.
The main stages of the disease
Periodontal disease in cats is divided into four stages. These stages are in no way related to the age of the animal. Although cats of advanced age are most affected by periodontal disease. There is only one way to check at what stage the disease is - an X-ray of the skull. At home, you can not make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, the owner should take his pet to the veterinarian before treating.
There are 4 stages of periodontal disease.
- At the first stage, you can see a slight swelling and redness of the gums. Bad breath is a sign of the growth of bacteria. Often you can notice a small plaque and a stone on the teeth.
- In the second stage, significant changes in bone mass, or more precisely, its deficiency, can be replaced with x-rays. At this stage, there is a loss of 25% of bone mass.
- In the third stage, bone loss is 50%. Significant changes in the dental alveoli are visible on the x-ray.
- In the fourth stage, irreversible destruction of the dental alveoli begins. On the x-ray, you can observe the cavity of abscesses. The animal suffers from purulent processes in the oral cavity. This stage leads to serious impairment and tooth loss.
Periodontal disease in cats (treatment at home can only be done in the first stage) is rapidly progressing. Therefore, the sooner the owner pays attention to the condition of his pet, the better.
The main symptoms of the development of the disease
Noticing periodontal disease in a cat is easy. The disease begins with complications of the gums and oral cavity. Bad breath, redness and swelling of the gums are the first signs of the onset of the disease. An animal at this time can completely refuse hard food, preferring soft types of cat food. Often you can notice a deterioration in the animal's appetite or a complete refusal of food. With pressure on the gums, bleeding is noted. The animal at this time experiences pain and may be aggressive.
Depending on the stage of the disease, you may notice loose teeth. The gingival margin is completely destroyed, which leads to the loss of teeth. Periodontal disease in cats, whose symptoms are easy to notice, begins to manifest itself in the form of inflammatory processes and suppuration. During this period, the animal must be immediately taken to the veterinarian. After all, the disease will not stop there, but will progress, affecting healthy teeth.
Diagnostics
When diagnosing, the veterinarian finds out the cause of the disease. It takes into account the age of the cat and the characteristics of the body. So, depending on individual characteristics, alveolar processes and gum pockets may vary. Not always indicated signs will speak specifically about periodontal disease.
To clarify the diagnosis, an X-ray examination is performed, thanks to which the veterinarian can see the entire clinical picture of the course of the disease. A general and biochemical blood test is also given. After the veterinarian determines the exact stage and cause of the disease, he can provide treatment methods that will be effective for the animal. Periodontal disease in cats, the symptoms and treatment of which is determined only by an experienced veterinarian, can be easily cured and restored to animal health.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
After the veterinarian has carried out all the necessary studies, it is possible to undergo therapy, which is divided into two types: conservative and surgical.
Conservative treatment is suitable for the initial stages of the disease. It consists in cleansing the oral cavity of the animal. Doctors cleanse the animal’s teeth from plaque and tartar, then coat them with fluoride varnish. Gums are treated with an antiseptic. Then the veterinarian explains how to treat periodontal disease in cats.
During surgical intervention, the veterinarian tries to eliminate gum atrophy and strengthen the tooth in the hole. The main objective of this method is to cleanse the root of the tooth. If the teeth are destroyed, then they are removed. After surgery, the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics.
The consequences of periodontal disease
If timely measures are not taken to treat periodontal disease, irreversible consequences may occur. Often the animal refuses food. Constant pain prevents him from leading a normal lifestyle, and the disease begins to progress due to disturbances in the body. At the last stage, the animal may lose all its teeth, and suppuration will lead to sepsis, which will provoke a fatal outcome in the animal. If the cat is shown to the doctor on time, after a few weeks of treatment, she can return to normal life. Also, the prevention of periodontal disease should not be neglected in order to avoid problems in the future.
Prevention
There are several ways to prevent periodontal disease in cats. Treatment with folk remedies for animals is unacceptable. But you can refer to some rules for the prevention of the disease.
- Regular visits to the veterinarian.
- Balanced diet. This refers to a correctly composed diet.
- Purchase of specialized feed for cleaning teeth from stone and plaque.
- Toys in the animal should not be traumatic.
- Brushing teeth with a special brush.
- Careful monitoring of the oral cavity of a cat.
Cat lovers need to be very attentive to their little pets. It is better to prevent the disease in advance than to treat an already advanced stage of the disease. If you follow all the above rules, you can not only prevent periodontal disease, but also improve the quality of life of your beloved pet.