Does your cat have bad breath or trouble chewing? Is he or she pawing at their face or have you noticed a recent change in their eating habits? It may be time to come in and discuss your pet’s oral health with one of our wonderful caring team of veterinarians at The College Manor Veterinary Hospital. During the consultation, our doctor would be happy to do a comprehensive oral exam on your cat and provide you with a treatment plan to get your animal companion’s oral health back on track.
Once your pet is here for their dental procedure and under a general anesthetic for the scaling and polishing of his or her teeth, we also have the benefit of being able to take some dental x-rays if we notice anything we are concerned about. Dental x-ray gives us the benefit of seeing what’s happening under the gum line and allows us to make the best recommendations for the continued oral health of your special feline friend.
What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?
Here at College Manor Veterinary Hospital we offer preventive dental scaling and polishing under general anesthesia for your feline companion to help keep their teeth in the best shape possible for many years to come. We also have the benefit of a digital dental x-ray unit to help us make informed decisions regarding your pet’s oral health to help us make the best-informed decisions for your four-legged family member.
What are signs of dental problems in cats?
People are very aware of plaque control, cavity prevention and bad breath for ourselves and as such we visit our dentist regularly and yet we not think to do this for our pets. The most common disease we see in pet animals is periodontal disease, however, pets are also subject to broken teeth, orthodontic problems, and even cavities.
All of these problems can also lead to infections that introduce bacteria into other parts of the body. In other words, bad teeth can lead to a sick animal. The first step to good oral health is to look in your pet’s mouth on a regular basis. If your cat’s gums appear red or inflamed, if there’s a foul odour, if you see pus at the gum line or any broken teeth please call us at 905-853-4706 and one of our veterinarians will assess the problem and formulate a treatment plan. The best solution is to look after your pet’s teeth EVERY DAY with regular brushing – just like you would do on your own.
Are some breeds more susceptible than others?
The breed of your cat can definitely be a factor in dental disease. Some breeds like the Oriental Breeds, Persians and Abyssinians tend to be more susceptible to dental disease than other breeds, but all cats are at risk. Genetics also play a role in your pet’s dental health. If one littermate is affected by a dental disease, often the others are as well.
Some cats will need yearly cleanings to remove the tartar that has built up on their teeth, while others may only need a cleaning once in their lifetime to every few years. Just like people when it comes to dental problems, everyone is different, and cats are all individuals as well.
What is feline tooth resorption?
At this time the current cause for feline tooth resorption or “neck lesions” is still unknown, but many cats suffer from this painful problem. What this means is that an affected tooth’s root structure breaks down, which in turn causes the enamel and the tooth be-be decayed and bone replaces the tooth If the affected tooth is not extracted, it will eventually erode and disappear as it is absorbed back into the cat’s body. This is quite painful for a cat to go through until the absorption is complete.
Many cats, however, will not show obvious signs of pain. Each time you bring your cat in to see us for a consultation here at College Manor Veterinary Hospital, the doctor will have a look in their mouth and assess the teeth. At this time, they will also provide you with a treatment plan appropriate for the level of dental disease your cat is experiencing.