Periodontosis in cats: home treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It is very important for cats, as for humans, to keep their teeth he althy. Snow-white fangs are not only a sign of beauty, but also the he alth of the pet in general. 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 does not occur to anyone that a cat's oral cavity needs careful hygiene. Often, due to the negligent attitude of the owner, periodontal disease occurs in cats. This is inflammation caused by accumulated bacteria.

About the disease

Periodontosis in cats is practically no different from periodontal disease in humans. A cat has 30 teeth. Like humans, a kitten's milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth during childhood. Around the base of the tooth is the periodontium. This is a special complex that is responsible for the function of the crown and jaw. The periodontal includes the hole in the gum and the bone part.

When a cat has periodontal disease, it affects this particular area. If the owner of the pet noticed a strangeplaque on the teeth of a pet, then you need to know that an accumulation of bacteria has begun that can provoke a disease. Periodontal disease in cats, the treatment of which must be started at the first stage, develops rapidly. Microorganisms affect the reduction of the gingival margin, preventing the gingival margin from regenerating, and penetrate into the bone part, destroying it. As a result, the animal may lose damaged teeth.

Causes of 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 is not all the causes of the disease.

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 an animal in a fight or a careless game is injured or scratched, it is quite possible that periodontal disease and the inflammatory process will spread.
• 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 inflammation of the oral cavity is detected, the owner should immediately seek help from veterinarians.

Main stages of the disease

Periodontosis in cats is divided intofour stages. These stages have nothing to do with the age of the animal. Although most of all periodontal disease affects cats of advanced age. There is only one way to check at what stage the disease is - an x-ray of the skull. At home, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, the owner should take his pet to the veterinarian before treating it.

There are 4 stages in the development of periodontal disease.

1. In the first stage, you can see a slight swelling and redness of the gums. Bad breath is a sign of bacterial overgrowth. It is not uncommon to notice slight plaque and calculus on the teeth.
2. At the second stage, X-rays can replace significant changes in bone mass, more precisely, its deficiency. At this stage, there is a loss of 25% of bone mass.
3. In the third stage, bone loss is 50%. X-ray shows significant changes in the dental alveoli.
4. At the fourth stage, irreversible destruction of the dental alveoli begins. Abscess cavities can be observed on x-rays. The animal suffers from purulent processes in the oral cavity. This stage leads to serious damage and loss of teeth.

Periodontosis in cats (treatment at home can only be carried out at the first stage) progresses rapidly. Therefore, the sooner the owner pays attention to the condition of his pet, the better.

The main symptoms of the development of the disease

It's easy to spot periodontal disease in a cat. The disease begins with complicationsgums and oral cavity. Bad breath, redness and swelling of the gums are the first signs of the onset of the disease. The 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 to eat. When pressing on the gums, bleeding is noticed. The animal at this time is experiencing pain and may show aggression.

Depending on the stage of the disease, loose teeth can be seen. The gingival margin is completely destroyed, leading to tooth loss. Periodontal disease in cats, the symptoms of which 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 he althy teeth.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing, the veterinarian finds out the cause of the disease. This takes into account the age of the cat and the characteristics of the body. So, depending on individual characteristics, the alveolar processes and gum pockets may differ. Not always these signs will speak specifically about periodontal disease.

To clarify the diagnosis, an X-ray examination is carried out, 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 establishes the exact stage and cause of developmentdisease, it can provide treatments that are effective for the animal. Periodontal disease in cats, the symptoms and treatment of which can only be determined by an experienced veterinarian, can be easily cured and restore the animal to he alth.

Periodontosis treatment

After the veterinarian has done all the necessary research, 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 course of the disease. It consists in cleansing the oral cavity of the animal. Doctors clean the animal's teeth from plaque and tartar, then cover them with fluoride varnish. The gums are treated with an antiseptic. Then the veterinarian explains how to treat periodontal disease in cats.

During surgery, the veterinarian tries to eliminate gum atrophy and strengthen the tooth in the hole. The main task of this method is to clean the root of the tooth. If the teeth are destroyed, they are removed. After surgery, the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics.

Consequences of periodontal disease

If timely measures are not taken to treat periodontal disease, irreversible consequences may occur. Often the animal refuses to eat. Constant pain prevents him from leading a normal life, and the disease begins to progress due to disturbances in the body. At the last stage, the animal may lose all teeth, and suppuration will lead to sepsis, which will provoke a fatal outcome in the animal. If the cat is shown to the doctor in time, after a few weeks of treatmentshe can go back to normal. Also, periodontal disease prevention 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 vet.
• Balanced nutrition. This refers to a correctly composed diet.
• Purchase of specialized food for cleaning teeth from tartar and plaque.
• Animal toys should not be traumatic.
• Brushing teeth with a special brush.
• Careful observation of the cat's oral cavity.

A cat lover needs to be very attentive to his 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.