Go to a clinic immediately if
- The cat stops eating entirely, the face swells, the mouth bleeds heavily, or swallowing or breathing is difficult
- Inability to open the mouth, rapidly increasing facial swelling or difficulty swallowing needs same-day assessment
Possible signs
- Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side or pawing at the face
- The cat may approach food then withdraw, eat only the soft portion or swallow kibble without chewing
What it is
Gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption are common in cats. A small visible defect can conceal major, very painful disease of the root and surrounding bone. Periodontitis can irreversibly destroy tooth-supporting tissues, while a painful resorptive tooth commonly requires extraction.
What to expect at the veterinarian
The veterinarian can assess the mouth and general health while the cat is awake, but a complete dental diagnosis usually requires anaesthesia. It includes examination and probing of every tooth and full-mouth dental radiographs because much of each root is hidden. Care may include professional cleaning, pain management and extraction of diseased teeth; antibiotics alone often do not correct the cause.
Sources
- Guideline or consensus statement. Feline Dental Disease