Maintaining your cat’s oral health is more than giving them a dazzling look. It is crucial to their overall health and happiness. Dental health issues in older cats can be a significant source of discomfort. But they could also be the onset of myriad other ailments that could substantially impact the quality of life of your cat.
As natural predators as predators, they know that the weak and sick weak will become their prey. Thus, it is in their nature to hide symptoms of weakness. This makes it difficult to determine if your cat is sick.
Old Cats and Their Dental Issues
It is inevitable to age. However, illness and pain aren’t. Your aim as a pet owner is to aid in the natural process of aging in your cat and to recognize any issues earlier. So you can avoid serious illnesses that could be fatal for your pet. As a cat’s owner, you should know about some of the most common dental health concerns that can arise in an older cat.
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a well-known dental health problem, and while you may have only associated it with humans, it could similarly affect your pet. Plaque buildup over time is the primary reason for gingivitis. It is mainly affected by senior cats. Plaque bacteria are slowly transported to the gums and trigger an inflammation response from your cat’s immune system.
However, it’s vital to keep in mind that a variety of circumstances can cause gingivitis. The feline leukemia virus, as well as diabetes, are two such instances.
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2. Periodontitis
Another common dental problem in senior cats is periodontitis, which is caused by gingivitis. As plaque accumulates, it inflames the gums and the bones that support your pet’s teeth. Teeth loss could result when you don’t treat it.
Your veterinarian will assess the teeth and mouth of your pet as part of a comprehensive physical examination and schedule for teeth cleaning on your dog and likewise look for symptoms of periodontitis. Anesthesia-induced X-rays of the jaw are also used to evaluate the jawbone and teeth’s supporting structures to determine the extent of bone damage.
3. Tooth Resorption
Most cats who are five or more suffer from tooth resorption, a painful condition of the dental system. Dentin, a bony substance that forms a large portion of a tooth’s structure, is eroded and destroyed. Extreme pain and eventual tooth loss are possibilities for animals suffering from this.
To date, the cause of tooth resorption is not yet known. Although several theories have been proposed as explanations for tooth loss, like overdose levels of Vitamin D found in food for cats, more investigation is needed to pinpoint the root cause of this agonizing ailment.
If you ought to see more, you can read blog posts and articles online regarding tooth ailments and treatments.
4. Stomatitis
Stomatitis is the next most prevalent oral issue in senior cats. The chronic inflammation of the oral tissues of cats can be the main of this uncomfortable illness. In addition to the gums, tissue around the teeth and in the rear of a cat’s mouth may be affected by this disease. Chronic gingivostomatitis in cats is another term used to describe stomatitis.
It is unclear what triggers the stomatitis that cats suffer from. There is no definitive scientific explanation at present. However, it could result from the cat’s immune system reacting to the calicivirus or another immune-affecting virus.
5. Oral Tumors
Oral tumors constitute the 4th most frequent feline tumor; however, most are cancerous. If your pet has squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequent type of tumor, you should act quickly to diagnose and treat it to have the most excellent chance of surviving.
Several factors increase the risk of developing cancer in pets. However, smoking cigarettes, flea collars, and even canned cat food have all been associated with an increased risk of developing squamous cell cancer.
