Feb is National Pet Dental Health Month

Feb 5, 2013 by Dr Colleen Currigan    No Comments    Posted under: Tips & Advice

Did you read the recent blog by Dr. Cathy Lund about Rufus and his painfully infected mouth?  It is unfortunate that his disease progressed quickly and went untreated for several months – but how fortunate that it has now been successfully treated!  I’m anxious to get the February update on Rufus!

Speaking of teeth, February is National Pet Dental Health Month.   National Pet Dental Health Month was started in 1994 in an effort to increase awareness about dental disease in our little furry friends.  We all brush our teeth every day and see our own dentists regularly for dental care – but sadly, most of us can’t say the same about our kitties.  Rufus’ case really accentuates how important it is for pet owners (and cat owners in particular since cats hide their pain so well) to be aware of dental disease.

Many cat owners are surprised to learn that 70 percent of all cats have some form of periodontal disease (disease affecting the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth).  I bet that’s not what you wanted to hear!  Dental disease is the single most common health problem of cats.

Here are some feline ‘trivial teeth tidbits’:

• An adult cat with all his or her teeth has 30 teeth
• Kittens get their first baby teeth at 2-3 weeks of age; adult teeth emerge at around 14 weeks
• Cats finish teething by about 6 months of age
• With the exception of diets specifically formulated to promote dental health, dry food diets play only a minor role in preventing dental disease in cats
• Cats do not need any teeth to eat (unless their survival depends on hunting!).  Cats can even eat dry kibble without any teeth.
• Dental evaluation is a critical component of a cat’s regular visit to the veterinarian.
• Tartar on the crown of the tooth is not the main problem – it’s what’s going on below the gum line that causes destruction of tooth root structures and eventual tooth loss.  Much dental disease occurs below the gum line, so it is found only with the cat under general anesthesia when the teeth can be individually probed and radiographic images of the tooth roots evaluated
• Most dental disease is preventable in cats J (Think homecare, along with professional cleaning being performed in the earliest stages of dental disease)
• Early dental disease (stage 1-mild gum inflammation only) is the only reversible stage
• Brushing your cat’s teeth is the single most effective means to maintain dental health between professional dental cleanings.   Cats can be reluctant to accept home oral hygiene (no surprise!), but if a gradual, gentle and patient approach is used (don’t forget the reward afterwards!), success can be achieved.  Yes you can brush your cat’s teeth – but use kitty toothpaste!
  
• Compared to other animals, the canine teeth (‘fangs’) of domestic cats are more narrowly spaced  which has allowed them to adapt to their preferred prey of small rodents and birds
• A cat’s jaws cannot move sideways

Moving on to a list of ‘sad stats’ and ‘telling truths’

• Periodontal disease is painful (and cats are masters at hiding pain)
• Once beyond stage 1, periodontal disease is progressive and if not treated, results in tooth loss
• Up to 100 billion bacteria are present in a gram of tartar.  These same families of bacteria were responsible for ‘trench foot’ in the WW1 trenches (gangrene of the foot)
  • Advanced dental disease is like gangrene of the mouth
• Periodontal disease is painful (and cats are masters at hiding pain)
• Aside from periodontal disease, roughly 72% of cats over 5 years of age also have ‘feline cavities’ (or ‘tooth resorptions’).  Their cause is unknown, but it is not due to decay as are cavities in people.  Extraction of the affected teeth is the treatment of choice.  On the right above is a picture of a tooth resorption involving a lower premolar tooth – the gum has grown up onto the crown of the tooth to ‘cover’ the resorption.  Note the big ‘cavity’ on the radiograph of that same tooth on the left showing an exposed pulp canal (and thus its nerves and blood vessels).  Ouch!  Cat cavities are extremely painful!
  
  
• Only 50% of pet owners are aware that dental disease causes other health problems
  • Dental disease has been associated with microscopic changes in the heart, liver, kidneys
• The majority of pet owners have never discussed dental homecare with their veterinarian
• Periodontal disease is painful (and cats are masters at hiding pain)
• Teeth scaling done awake (without the benefit of anesthesia) is a disservice to the patient
  • How is that kind of a procedure stress free and cat friendly?
  • How does that address the most significant problem of disease under the gum line?
• What about those ‘miraculous oral mouth sprays’ to ‘cure’ dental disease?
  • Hmm…spray for a cat? Is that cat friendly?
  • Really? A spray is an acceptable substitute for a deep cleaning? Who are we kidding?
• 45% of the time cats with normal appearing teeth have abnormalities visible on dental x-rays
• 86% of the time cats with abnormal teeth are found to have added problems apparent on x-ray
  • Full mouth x-rays should be taken on every dental patient. High quality detailed x-rays (ideally digital) are necessary to avoid missing disease
• Periodontal disease is painful (and cats are masters at hiding pain)
• Concerned about the risk of anesthesia?   Me, too!  I’m a nervous cat owner just like everyone else when my cats are having dentistry performed or any other procedure requiring anesthesia.  There is always a risk:benefit ratio that should be discussed with your veterinarian regarding any type of anesthetic procedure.   A professional dental cleaning should only be recommended if the veterinarian believes that the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks given your cat’s age, medical history and current health status.  Anesthesia has come a long way, and is really very safe.  State of the art anesthesia monitoring, including a dedicated anesthetist, are key.
• Cheap dentistry can be expensive!  Demand that it be done right!
• Extraction of a diseased tooth is a surgical procedure – it’s not just ‘pulling a tooth’!  Yes, it hurts, which is why general anesthesia and aggressive pain management before, during and after dental surgery is used
• Lastly, did I mention that periodontal disease is painful?!
  

What can you do to help prevent or at least retard the progression of dental disease in your cat?

• Brush, brush, brush!  Ideally brush your cat’s teeth 2-3 times weekly, daily if possible.
  • Watch the tooth brushing video below (or directly on YouTube) and to learn a few tips on getting started
  • Cat toothpaste and a cat toothbrush are cheap compared to professional treatment for dental disease which includes x-rays, teeth cleaning, and if the dental disease is more advanced, surgical extraction of teeth.
  • Start when young – but don’t think you can’t teach an old cat new tricks
• Oral rinses, water additives, and diets specifically formulated to prevent dental disease
• Professional cleaning and dental x-rays under anesthesia in the early stages of dental disease

If you are interested in more information on dental disease in cats, more fun facts, ideas on best dental diets and homecare products, and even a ‘test your cat dental IQ quiz’, click here to visit our hospital’s website. Happy National Pet Dental Health Month!

Dr Colleen Currigan

Dr. Colleen Currigan opened the doors of Cat Hospital of Chicago in 1998. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Currigan has devoted her entire veterinary career to the practice of feline medicine and surgery in the Chicago area, including from 1993 – 1998 with her own feline homecare practice.

Dr. Currigan earned her BA in Sociology from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, and her DVM from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio in 1985.

Dr. Currigan has been an active member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) for over 25 years, and she currently sits as a member of its Board of Directors. She is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). She is an active member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medication Association (ISVMA), and sits on its Nominations and Awards Committee. Additionally, Dr. Currigan is an avid supporter of Tree House Humane Society in Chicago, Illinois, a cageless all cat shelter. She is currently the Chair of their Board of Directors.

Dr. Currigan is ‘owned’ by two wonderful felines, Kramer and Dennis, both of whom work tirelessly to train her in ‘all things cat’.

Cat Hospital of Chicago
2851 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618-3624

Phone: (773) 539-9080
Fax: (773) 478-0605
Email: catlovers@cathospitalofchicago.com

Website: http://www.cathospitalofchicago.com/
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