Is periodontal disease painful for cats?
In fact, the gum is inflamed due to the cavity and reacts by ‘filling in’ the hole in the tooth. FRLs can be diagnosed by dental X-rays or by probing the teeth under general anaesthesia. FRLs are extremely sensitive, and cats will often exhibit signs of pain associated with them.
Do cats feel tooth pain?
Cats often hide oral pain by simply resisting oral examination. When a cat does not want to open her mouth, we often assume that’s just a cat being a cat – but often it’s because cold air hitting exposed tooth nerve is painful. A kitty who resists you opening her mouth might be hiding dental problems.
What causes gum disease in cats and why?
Many dentists who care for people blame mouth chemistry, an inherited factor, and sometimes gum disease results from a respiratory virus. Genetics play a role in autoimmune diseases in cats, and gum disease is a manifestation of that, but a definitive cause remains unknown.
What causes pain in the mouth of a cat?
Feline stomatitis is a severe, painful inflammation of a cat’s mouth and gums. Dental disease, certain viruses, and some other inflammatory conditions can cause feline stomatitis. The long-term outcome can vary.
Can a cat have gingivitis and periodontitis?
Regardless of the cause of gum disease in cats, there are several symptoms associated with gingivitis that may be seen, which can prompt a visit to the vets to have it checked out. This may be the first thing noticed by an owner and is associated with infection in the mouth.
When to take your cat to the vet for gum disease?
Cats are expert at masking discomfort and pain, and gum disease can go unnoticed until it has become advanced, which highlights why annual check-ups with the veterinarian are so important. Early intervention avoids unnecessary pain, suffering, expense and prolonged treatment to fix the problem.
Why does my cat have pain in her gums?
Cat periodontal disease can be caused by a variety of factors, but is most commonly associated with bacterial infection. Bacteria under the gumline leads to pain and inflammation of the tissue.
How can you tell if your cat has gum disease?
If your kitty is no longer sitting pretty, it may also be a surprising sign of gum disease. A messy, unkempt coat is an oft-missed sign. When a cat’s gums are in pain, using her tongue to groom herself will be painful. In some cases, cats develop stomatitis, or inflammation of the whole oral cavity.
What happens to the gums of a cat with periodontal disease?
This usually leads to bone loss, tissue destruction and infection in the cavities between the gum and teeth. Periodontal disease in cats generally begins with the inflammation of one tooth, which may progress if not treated during different stages of the condition.
How can I prevent gum disease in my Cat?
The best prevention for cat gum disease is to maintain your pet’s good oral hygiene and to regularly brush and clean her mouth and gums. Cats can be trained to accept brushing when trained slowly over time and rewarded for their cooperation.