Parodontosis in cats: treatment at home

For cats, as for a person, it is very important to keep your teeth healthy. White fangs are not only a sign of beauty, but also the health of the pet as a whole. If the owners do not engage in professional breeding of cats and do not participate in exhibitions, they often do not pay attention to the condition of their pet's teeth. Often it never occurs to anyone that the mouth cavity of a cat needs thorough hygiene. Often, because of a careless attitude of the owner, there is periodontal disease in cats. This is the inflammation that causes the accumulated bacteria.

About the disease

Parodontosis in cats is practically no different from periodontitis in humans. The cat has 30 teeth. Like a person, in childhood the baby's teeth of a kitten are replaced by indigenous ones. Around the base of the tooth is the periodontium. This is a special complex, which is responsible for the function of the crown and jaw. To the periodontium is the hole in the gum and the bone part.

When the cat starts periodontal disease, it affects this area. If the owner of the pet noticed a strange plaque on the pet's teeth, then you need to know that a cluster of bacteria has started that can trigger the disease. Periodontal disease in cats, the treatment of which must be started at the first stage, is rapidly developing. Microorganisms act to reduce the edge of the gum, not allowing the gum edge to regenerate, and penetrate into the bone part, destroying it. As a result, the animal can lose damaged teeth.

Causes of the disease

As in humans, the main cause of the disease is the lack of cleanliness of the oral cavity. The formation of a plaque after a meal can provoke bacterial growth and suppuration. But lack of hygiene is not all causes of the disease.

The main reasons are:

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Often, periodontal disease is a consequence of a malfunction in the body.
• Trauma of the oral mucosa. If the animal in a fight or careless game is injured or scratched, it is possible to spread periodontal disease and inflammation.
• Lack of vitamins and minerals. It should be noted that the owner must carefully monitor the diet of his pet. Cats living at home can not compensate for the lack of vitamins themselves.
• Inflammatory processes. Stomatitis and gingivitis can trigger the onset of the disease. Therefore, if an inflammation of the mouth is detected, the owner should immediately seek help from veterinarians.

The main stages of the disease

Parodontosis in cats is divided into four stages. These stages have nothing to do with the age of the animal. Though most of all parodontosis is affected by cats of old age. There is only one way to check the stage of the disease - the x-ray of the skull. At home, you can not make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, the owner should take his pet to the veterinarian before taking the medication.

There are 4 stages of development of periodontitis.

1. At the first stage, you can see a small puffiness and redness of the gums. Unpleasant odor from the mouth is a sign of the multiplication of bacteria. It is often possible to notice a small scurf and a stone on the teeth.
2. In the second stage, using x-rays, it is possible to 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%. Significant changes in the dental alveolus are seen on the x-ray.
4. At the fourth stage irreversible destruction of the dental alveoli begins. On the x-ray you can observe cavities of abscesses. The animal suffers from purulent processes in the oral cavity. This stage leads to serious impairment and loss of teeth.

Periodontal disease in cats (treatment at home can be done only in the first stage) is rapidly progressing. Therefore, the earlier the owner will pay attention to the condition of his pet, the better.

The main symptoms of the disease

It is not difficult to notice periodontal disease in a cat. The disease begins with complications on the gums and oral cavity. Bad smell from the mouth, redness and swelling of the gums are the first signs of the onset of the disease. The animal at this time can completely abandon the hard food, preferring soft kinds of cat food. It is often possible to notice a worsening of the appetite of an animal or a complete refusal to eat. When pressing on the gums, there is a noticeable bleeding. The animal at this time experiences painful sensations and can show aggression.

Depending on the stage of the disease, you can see the loosened teeth. The gum edge is completely destroyed, which leads to tooth loss. Periodontal disease in cats, the symptoms of which are easy to notice, begins to manifest itself in the form of inflammation and suppuration. During this period the animal should be immediately delivered to the vet. After all, the disease will not stop at this, but will progress, affecting healthy teeth.

Diagnostics

When diagnosed, the veterinarian determines the cause of the disease. This takes into account the age of the cat and the characteristics of the organism. So, depending on the individual characteristics, the alveolar processes and the gingival pockets may differ. Not always the indicated signs will speak about parodontosis.

To clarify the diagnosis, an X-ray examination is conducted, thanks to which the veterinarian can see the whole clinical picture of the course of the disease. A general and biochemical blood test is also given. After the veterinarian determines the exact stage and cause of the disease, he can provide treatment methods that will be effective for the animal. Periodontal disease in cats, the symptoms and treatment of which is determined only by an experienced veterinarian, can be easily cured and returned to the animal health.

Treatment of periodontal disease

After the veterinarian has carried out all the necessary studies, 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 disease course. It consists in cleaning the oral cavity of the animal. Doctors clean the teeth of the animal from plaque and tartar, then cover them with fluoride-based varnish. The gums are treated with an antiseptic. Then the veterinarian explains how to treat periodontitis in cats.

When surgical intervention, the vet tries to eliminate the atrophy of the gums 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 the surgery, the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics.

Consequences of periodontitis

If you do not take timely measures to treat periodontal disease, irreversible consequences can occur. Often the animal refuses to eat. Constant pain prevents him from leading a normal life, and the disease begins to progress due to disorders in the body. At the last stage the animal can lose all teeth, and suppuration will lead to sepsis, which will provoke an animal death. If the cat is shown to the doctor in time, after a few weeks of treatment, it can return to normal. Also, the prevention of periodontitis can not be neglected 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 visit to the veterinarian.
• Balanced diet. It means a well-designed diet.
• Purchase of specialized feed for cleaning teeth from stone and plaque.
• Toys in an animal should not be traumatic.
• Brushing your teeth with a special brush.
• Careful observation of the oral cavity of the cat.

A cat lover needs to be very attentive to his small pets. It is better to prevent the disease beforehand, than to treat the already started 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 pet.