Caries in a cat: how to determine and what to do?

Cats have long lived with humans. Masterful and proud creatures in their own way are attached to the owners, give them warmth and affection, soothe, warm and create a feeling of comfort in the house. In return, they ask for a little attention and help in case of emergency. Some diseases are difficult to diagnose and require a detailed examination, but caries can be determined visually and help a pet by contacting a veterinary clinic.

Causes of Dental Disease

Pets are deprived of the joys of life of their free brothers. A soft sofa and fragrant paste in a bowl will not replace crazy running in a wide meadow or hunting small game under cover of night. So, they can not chew the healing grass, which only cats know about. To sharpen teeth on a freshly caught mouse also does not work. Therefore, sometimes in the animal’s body there is a deficiency of minerals and a lack of vitamins. The soft, grated consistency of some cat foods also plays a detrimental role in the state of the surface layers of the tooth. The causes of caries include:

• violations of acid - base balance;
• mechanical damage, accompanied by inflammation and tooth decay;
• malfunctions in the metabolic system.

One cannot precisely name one cause of the onset of the disease. Usually, this is a complex malfunction of the body, and caries is its consequence. Since the cat has a high degree of regeneration of all systems, tooth disease signals deep-seated problems that the animal is not able to solve on its own. It is necessary to carry out not only oral treatment, but also to make an initial examination of the pet.

Symptoms of the disease

A cat belongs to the class of predators, therefore, oral health is necessary for it, otherwise the nutrition process is disrupted, which stimulates the development of more serious diseases of the digestive system. The animal must necessarily chew and chew something, broths, porridges and pastes will not solve the problem, it will have to be approached comprehensively. You can recognize the occurrence of caries by several signs:

• enamel color change;
• foreign smell;
• the appearance of a spot or hollow in the body of the tooth;
• profuse salivation;
• redness and swelling of the gums;
• refusal of food requiring chewing efforts.

If one or more signs appear, it is worthwhile to be vigilant and show the pet to the veterinarian.

There are 4 degrees of caries: spotted, superficial, medium and deep. The attentive owner of the animal must notice changes in his behavior, unusual reactions or incomprehensible actions. Abrupt mood swings, rejection of a favorite treat or game, lethargy and apathy are alarming. These are the first signals of health problems.

In a cat, dental diseases are quite rare, caries has nowhere to catch on the needles of sharp fangs. Nevertheless, he finds loopholes, destroying the structure of the teeth and bringing suffering to the pet.

Such diseases cannot be cured at home, so you should not postpone a visit to a specialist.

Caries treatment

In the veterinary clinic, an initial examination is carried out, revealing the degree of tooth damage. At the initial stage, silver nitrate and sodium fluoride are used.They block destructive processes, disinfect and cover the enamel with a thin film. If the measures do not have the desired effect or the processes have gone too far, then the tooth will have to be removed. The procedures are performed under anesthesia and take a little time. Subsequent treatment includes supportive medications, sometimes a course of antibiotics is required to relieve gum inflammation. A repeat examination is required to rule out complications.

Disease prevention

In order for the pet to be healthy and cheerful, a few simple rules are required from the owner.

• Organization of a balanced diet, taking into account the gender and age of the pet.
• Vitamin complexes as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Cat oral hygiene using a specialized brush and paste.
• Regular examination of a specialist at least 1 time per year.

These measures will help prevent the occurrence and development of serious diseases, take timely measures to maintain the health of the cat, and keep the teeth in good condition.

In feeding, it is worth giving preference to granular feeds, where the animal will have to chew, while cleaning teeth from plaque and massaging gums with food particles. Well-known manufacturers of pet products are trying to comply with the formulation and filling of feed with vitamins and minerals necessary for the health and long life of cats. A variety of species will help you choose the most suitable for quality and price.

A little attention and care from the owner - a small fee for the love and devotion of pets.

Video: brushing your teeth in dogs and cats