VETERINARY DENTISTRY

In cats, tartar or dental calculus (photo 1) is also common in cats over 2 years of age, and annual prophylactic treatment must be performed.

There are, however, two other serious pathologies that affect cats and that cause great suffering and stress to the animal. The first disease is the Gingivitis Stomatitis Pharyngitis Complex or GSPC (photo 2). It mainly affects the gums, palate and pharynx, causing ulcers and inflammation. It is an autoimmune disease, with no cure, and can arise in any breed, sex and age. It is not yet known what causes this disease, but one of the alternative treatment is the extraction of premolar and molar teeth, and when necessary, canine teeth. This treatment has been shown to be very effective, but relapse is viable. Other forms of treatment are corticosteroid therapy, antibiotics, and long-term homeopathy, but their effectiveness is more evident after surgical treatment. It is a disease that generates severe pain and, consequently, discomfort when eating and can lead to death due to starvation.

The second disease that causes great discomfort and pain to the animal is the Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion ORL (photo 4). Studies believe that the animal's organism begins to reabsorbs the tooth, but what triggers this is still unknown. Resorption can start from the dental crown, or from the dental root (photo 4). In both, regardless of the origin, tooth loss will occur. And therefore, extraction of the affected tooth is the indicated treatment for now. 

Oral tumors (photo 3) also come in the range of pathologies that felines can have. In the photo, a malignant tumor of the caudal floor of the tongue in a 7-year-old female.