Signs Your Feline May Be Experiencing Tooth Pain
Drooling. Decreased appetite. Vomiting. Swollen and bleeding gums.
While they are sat quietly, gently lift the flaps of their gums and have a quiet look at the teeth you can see there – pay attention to the colour of the gums, any developing 'lumps', signs of broken/chipped teeth and areas that seem/look painful. Once you've had a look at one side then look at the other.
Poor appetite (in some cats, “finicky” eating or choosing only to eat canned foods may signal pain rather than pickiness) Other changes in eating behaviors such as moving food around in the mouth without chewing, swallowing food whole or dropping food. Teeth chattering and/or lip smacking. Weight loss.
Dental problems.
A cat with a loose tooth, inflamed gums, dental abscess, sore or infected mouth can stop eating virtually overnight.
The tartar often covers the tooth so it can't be examined until this stage. The vet will use a periodontal probe to examine each tooth, checking probing depth (the depth of the area between tooth and gum – a gap, or pocket of more than 1mm indicates that the tooth may need to be removed).
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.
If your cat has a tooth abscess, you may notice a swelling suddenly developing on her cheeks or chin. These swellings can drain blood-tinged or pus-like fluids.
Kibble is the best choice for senior dogs and cats with dental issues. Kibble is easy for cats and dogs to chew, which is especially important for senior pets who have lost teeth or may need help chewing their food. Additionally, kibble's uniform shape makes it easy for cats and dogs with dental issues to digest.
Dental disease in cats is commonly associated with the accumulation of dental plaque (as a result of bacteria in the mouth) and tartar formation, this can result in what is termed 'periodontal disease' – disease affecting the teeth and the structures around the teeth that support and keep them healthy.
Cost of Tooth Removal in Felines
While basic descaling of the teeth under general anesthesia costs $120+, this amount can rise significantly if extractions are necessary. It isn't uncommon for multiple or complex extractions to cost between $600 and $750, including dental X-rays.
A cat tooth extraction can cost an average of $50 to $130 per tooth, depending on where you live. This cost is often added on top of dental exams and cleanings, which run about $350 – $400. More severe cases can cost a few thousand dollars altogether, especially if you have to see a dental specialist.
Cats with tooth decay exposed to the oral cavity usually reveal the following symptoms: excessive salivation. head shaking. sneezing.
Daily brushing is most beneficial and will help to establish a routine. Brushing a minimum of 3 times a week is helpful if your schedule cannot accommodate daily brushing. "It is best to teach your cat to accept brushing while she is still a kitten."
There are several studies showing that cats fed kibble diets—and in particular dental formulations—have significantly less tartar and gingivitis than their canned-food-eating counterparts.
Given the attention paid to delivery of balanced anesthesia tailored specifically to each individual patient, most cats do extremely well under general anesthesia and recover with minimal discomfort in the post-operative period.
It's understandable to feel nervous about your beloved cat getting surgery, but rest assured that most cats handle tooth extraction extremely well. Your kitty will feel much better without an achy tooth.
Perhaps the single most important reason that anesthesia is necessary for effective dental work in cats is that so very much of feline oral pathology occurs below the gumline, where we cannot see it without exploring those painful periodontal pockets and taking Xrays.
Chewing bones knocks off tartar and helps keep their teeth and gums healthy. Since domesticated cats aren't eating mice and other animals for their daily meals, some veterinarians recommend giving them hard toys to chew on. Any chew toy you get for your cat should not be any harder than your fingernail.
While some pet parents successfully clean their cat's teeth using a small piece of soft gauze, others find a finger brush works for their felines. Still another approach is to apply dental gel to their cat's teeth using a toothbrush or a finger, which allows the gel do the work for them.
By the age of three, most will have some degree of dental disease, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). To combat dental disease dogs should receive their first dental cleaning by the age of two and cats by age one. From there, it is best to have your pet's teeth cleaned at least once per year.
Cats begin losing their baby teeth at around 12 weeks or 3 months. Although the timing varies between animals as much as it does among humans, the average kitten will have lost all her baby teeth by between 6 and 9 months old.