Dental disease in cats can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a cat's quality of life. In many cases, dental disease causes a cat to stop eating, which leads to a variety of health problems.
Uncommonly, cat tooth decay and dental disease can be fatal. The most common cause of death is the spread of infection to other parts of the body (sepsis). As the liver and kidneys are the main filtering organs in the body, they are often the most affected secondarily to severe cat tooth decay and disease.
Your cat may go to their bowl but refuse to eat due to pain. Or they may take just a few bites before giving up. Cats with dental disease may also drop food while trying to eat or even hiss at their food bowl after trying to eat.
If your cat does show signs, they may include pawing at her mouth, head shaking, or jaw chattering. She may chew with obvious discomfort, drop food from her mouth, swallow with difficulty, or drool excessively. The saliva may contain blood. Halitosis (bad breath) is also common.
Set up an appointment with your cat's vet.
They will assess your cat's mouth and create a long-term treatment plan. If your cat needs to have a tooth extraction performed, then it will need to be done in a vet's office under anesthesia. Only a professional extraction can minimize trauma to your cat's gum and jawbone.
The cost of a cat tooth extraction may vary by condition and your location, but can range from $300 to almost $1,300. Seventy percent of cats are affected by a dental disease by the time they're three years old, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society.
Be vigilant and take action! Periodontal disease is dangerous for pets, and in some cases is known to take up to two years or more off of a pet's life, if left untreated.
Stage 4 – This final stage is by far the most severe and will eradicate more than 50% of the bone. Pets with the final stage of dental disease will also be at significant risk of systemic infection and organ damage from bacteria traveling through the blood.
Stage 2 – Also known as early periodontitis, this stage occurs when there is a small amount of bone loss – less than 25% – visible on oral radiographs. You may notice inflammation of your pet's gums, bad breath, and some visible plaque and tartar.
How can I treat cat tooth abscess at home? A tooth abscess requires veterinary care and cannot be treated at home. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to keep your cat comfortable before the tooth is pulled, but that procedure will need to be done in the vet's office under anesthesia.
Some signs that may indicate that your kitten has entered the teething stage include: Vocalizing more, from small to loud meows. Increased chewing, especially on soft items. Drooling.
Cat tooth extraction is necessary in several cases, including advanced stage gum disease. Advanced periodontal disease can cause loss of viable teeth. The teeth that are severely affected should be extracted before the damage is permanent.
Wear and gum disease are more common when your dog or cat is between the ages of five and 10. Elderly pets may eventually lose teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease, and their teeth may show considerable wear.
Once a tooth is damaged or decaying, it's only a matter of time before it dies. Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die within a matter of days or even a couple of months. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out.
Some cats may show an obvious change in their facial expression when in pain, while with others it may be more subtle for example: Your cat may squint or close their eyes. Their ears may appear slightly flattened or pressed to the sides. Their mouth, nose and cheeks may appear tenser and more compressed.
Decreased Appetite and Thirst
If your cat seems to have lost interest in eating or drinking, it could be a sign that they are experiencing pain. Changes in eating and drinking habits could be symptoms of many other serious medical problems, too, so it is always best to alert your veterinarian.
In general, the costs range from $50 to $300. If your cat has periodontal disease, the average cost for treatment is $768. Many pet insurance providers offer dental coverage that includes teeth cleanings, extraction, and periodontal disease as long as there's no pre-existing condition.
Feline Stomatitis is a condition seen in many cats where chronic inflammation affects the soft tissues of the mouth (gingiva and mucosa). It is also known as gingivostomatitis, lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis, or more accurately mucositis.
It may be difficult for owners to recognize that their cat has broken a tooth. Sometimes purple, gray, or pink staining on the tooth surface will indicate that the tooth pulp has bled, causing the dentin to become stained. Black spots on the surface of the affected tooth indicate that the pulp is actually dying.
However, gingival pocket formation is difficult to reverse. Severe gingivitis – can be very painful for a cat. The cat may show signs of hypersalivation (drooling), halitosis, pawing at the mouth, difficulty eating and sometimes bleeding from the mouth.
When gum disease is severe, cats can suffer from painful tooth resorption, in which the teeth sink back into the diseased and receding gums until the body eventually reabsorbs the tooth.
Indeed, in some cases, it can be life-threatening. Because it's so common — as well as potentially complex and severe — it's important for cat parents to understand the causes and signs of feline gingivitis, as well as basic treatment and prevention measures.