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Feline Periodontal Disease

Cat Teeth

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is the infection of the tooth attachment apparatus (periodontal ligament and jaw bone), caused by bacteria. It begins when bacteria form on teeth in a substance called plaque. If plaque is not removed, the plaque is calcified by the minerals in saliva to become calculus (or tartar) and it will start to move under the gum line. Once the plaque gets under the gum, it starts causing inflammation ("gingivitis"). Gingivitis is the initial, reversible form of periodontal disease. Gingivitis may be painful to your pet and may lead to premature tooth loss. If this inflammation is not controlled, the bacteria within the gingiva change to a more virulent type. These more virulent species create more severe inflammation that leads to irreversible periodontitis. Periodontitis may not painful to your pet, so you may not aware of the disease until it is too late.

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How can I prevent it?

The best way to prevent periodontal disease in your cat is through the use of appropriate procedures and/or techniques to prevent dental and oral disease. Caring for your cat's teeth and gums is vital to the health of your cat to remove the plaque and tarter that accumulates each day. Please contact our veterinarians to tailor a program for your pet.

The stages of periodontal disease in cats:

Common findings in animals that have periodontal disease:

If your cat has not had a dental examination in the last 6 months, please give us a call at (954) 349-5800 to schedule an appointment.