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Bad breath (halitosis) is caused by bacteria, plaque, tartar, decomposing food particles, or death of tissue. Treatment of halitosis in cats involves eliminating the cause(s). The teeth need to be thoroughly cleaned and polished under general anesthesia. Teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease or tooth resorption need to be extracted. Reducing the accumulation of plaque, tartar, and resulting halitosis can be achieved by using VOHC-accepted products.
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Cats have four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. There are two types of malocclusion: skeletal and dental. Skeletal malocclusion results when an abnormal jaw length creates a malalignment of the teeth. A dental malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower jaw lengths are considered normal but there may be one or more teeth that are out of normal alignment. Skeletal malocclusions include mandibular distoclusion (Class 2 malocclusion), mandibular mesioclusion (Class 3 malocclusion) and maxillomandibular asymmetry. Dental malocclusions include mesioverted canines and mesiopalatoverted maxillary canines.
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There are many reasons why your cat might need oral surgery. Acute sensitivity to plaque and oral tumors are two conditions that may require surgery. Your veterinarian may refer your cat to a board-certified dentist, surgeon, or oncologist. Prior to your cat’s surgery, blood tests will be performed in order to prepare a anesthetic protocol suitable for you cat. Post-surgery, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered as well as narcotic medications. Most cats recover with minimal discomfort and will need to eat soft food until healing is complete.
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There are many causes of oral swellings, including local trauma, infection, fluid accumulation and tumors. If you find an oral swelling in your cat’s mouth, book an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Some oral swellings can be painful to touch, so to protect yourself from being bitten, do not touch the swelling. Your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests such as intraoral radiographs, blood tests, and tissue sampling. Treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause.
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Fibrosarcomas are the second most common oral tumor in cats and arise from the fibrous and connective tissues of the oral cavity. These tumors are very invasive locally and are often difficult to manage, Diagnosis is based on biopsy and treatment involves surgery and occasionally radiation or chemotherapy. Palliative care with pain relief and antibiotics are essential to improve quality of life.
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The most common oral tumor seen in cats is squamous cell carcinoma; the second most common is fibrosarcoma. This handout discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of oral tumors in cats.
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Occasionally, teeth in cats do not erupt in the right location resulting in pain and poor function. The options include orthodontic appliances to move the teeth, extraction, or crown amputation with restoration. Many veterinarians are comfortable delivering orthodontic care for cats. Your veterinarian may seek the advice of a board-certified veterinary dental specialist (avdc.org) for advice or referral.
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As in humans, cats have two sets of teeth. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth and adult cats have 30 permanent teeth. By the time the average kitten reaches 6- 7 months of age, all 30 adult teeth will have erupted. Ideally, the baby tooth associated with that permanent tooth falls out. Sometimes, the permanent tooth erupts alongside the baby tooth, known as a persistent deciduous tooth. A persistent tooth occurs when the tooth root of a deciduous tooth is either incompletely resorbed or it did not resorb at all, and as a result does not fall out. This causes the permanent tooth to erupt at an abnormal angle or in an abnormal position. The end result is often crowding or malposition of the tooth (or teeth), causing a malocclusion. Early extraction in these cases will usually allow the adult teeth to move into their proper positions and prevent further malocclusion problems. If you notice any persistent teeth, take your cat to your family veterinarian as soon as possible for an oral examination.
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Plaque forms on teeth shortly after eating and within 24 hours begins to harden, eventually turning into tartar. Tartar serves as a place for bacteria to grow, leading to gingivitis. As gingivitis worsens, periodontal disease develops, which includes inflammation, pain, and tooth loss. Prevention of plaque and tartar build-up is key. Use VOHC-accepted food and/or water additives, wipe or brush your cat's teeth daily, and have your veterinarian perform regular dental cleanings.
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The American Animal Hospital Association and American Veterinary Medical Association have established guidelines to standardize preventive health care for cats, helping them to live longer, healthier lives. This handout provides an overview of the recommendations within these guidelines and why they are so important.