What is periodontal disease? How is it caused?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a condition where bacterial growth within the mouth causes irritation and infection of the surrounding and supporting tissue of teeth. It is most often caused by food particles and bacteria accumulating along your cat’s gum line forming into plaque. Just like in humans, if not brushed away, this plaque can irritate and inflame the gums and eventually calcify and turn into tartar. Over time, the buildup will occur underneath the gum line and lead to the separation of your cat’s gums from the teeth. These gaps will foster more bacterial growth leading to bone loss, tissue damage, infection, loss of teeth, and more.

Periodontal disease in cats can be caused by a variety of factors. Certain breeds are prone to developing periodontal disease due to the likelihood of developing crowded teeth. Other factors include grooming habits, toys, and poor nutrition as they can also cause buildup if toys are dirty or your cat cleans himself or herself frequently. Diet plays an important role as certain foods may create more buildup of food particles or may not promote oral health as good as other brands. Speak with your veterinarian on what you can do in terms of diet to keep your cat’s teeth healthy. Cats with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop infections that can lead to the onset of gum disease.

Cats can also develop another form of gum disease known as stomatitis, which is severe inflammation of all of the gum tissue. If left untreated, stomatitis can infect other soft tissues within the mouth. This type of gum disease occurs in cats with an overactive immune response to even the smallest amounts of plaque and tartar.

What are the symptoms and stages?

The detection of periodontal disease can be subtle and your cat may not show obvious symptoms until the disease progresses into a more advanced stage.
Common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red or bleeding gums
• Discharge from the mouth or nose
• Sneezing
• Signs of irritation in the mouth such as facial swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Gum recession
• Pawing at the mouth
• Excessive drooling
• Tooth grinding
• Discolored teeth
• Irritability
• Loose teeth or loss of teeth
• Bad breath

There are several stages of periodontal disease, and if detected and treated early it can often be reversed. There are four stages of periodontal disease, with stage one being the most minimal and stage four being more advanced.

• Stage 1– Stage 1 is known as gingivitis. Just like in humans, gingivitis is inflammation and irritation of the gums. There is no separation of the gumline from teeth at this stage. This stage can be treated and reversed.
• Stage 2 – In stage 2, gum separation has begun with around 25% of attachment loss between teeth leading to gaps that can allow for more bacterial growth and infection.
• Stage 3 ­– In stage 3, the gum separation level has reached 30% of attachment loss with obvious signs of gum recession.
• Stage 4 – Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of periodontal disease with over 50% attachment loss between gums and teeth. Roots of teeth are often exposed, and some tooth loss has occurred.

Diagnosis

Treatment begins with a thorough examination where your veterinarian will look inside your cat’s mouth for red and inflamed gums. Your veterinarian may gently press on the gums which may cause them to bleed easily or release discharge, signaling the need for a deep dental cleaning. Under anesthesia, your veterinarian will perform several procedures such as probing to reveal the distance of gum separation from the tooth. X-rays will also be performed to reveal the condition of your cat’s teeth as some symptoms such as bone loss occur beneath the gums.

Treatment

After a diagnosis, treatment will begin. The course of treatment depends on how advanced your cat’s condition is. Early stages can be managed with daily brushing, routine professional cleanings, and prescribed fluoride or other products to minimize the development of plaque or antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections.

For cases that are diagnosed as stage 1 or stage 2 periodontal disease, a thorough dental cleaning above and below the gums will be done to remove plaque and tartar. Any gaps found between the gumline and teeth will be cleaned with antibiotics to prevent infection along with other medications to regenerate gum tissue to close the gaps.

For more advanced cases such as those of stage 3 and stage 4 periodontal disease, a full cleaning is still necessary for your cat, but it is also imperative for the diseased teeth and tissue to be removed. Surgery may be needed to expose infected roots so that they can be cleaned and treated properly. Tooth extraction, bone replacement, and other surgical procedures may be necessary depending on the extent of damage from periodontal disease.

Follow-up treatment for periodontal disease consists of good at-home dental care and frequent dental care exams from your veterinarian.

Prevention

The best way to fight periodontal disease is by maintaining good oral hygiene for your cat with regular brushing. Brush with animal-safe toothpaste as human toothpaste can contain harmful ingredients to your cat. Each pet is unique, so speak with your vet on how often you should brush your cat’s teeth and what products are best for your cat. Cats can be trained to accept brushing overtime when trained slowly and rewarded positively for their cooperation. Prescription diets and dental treats are also available for those who are less willing to have their teeth frequently brushed.

For more information on periodontal disease in cats, please contact our office today.

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Brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and dental care are all a part of an essential grooming regimen. However, there is another part of essential grooming that often gets left out, and that is ear cleaning. It can seem like a daunting task to clean your pet’s ears, but it is often a necessity.

To help make ear cleaning easier, we’ve provided a few tips on how to clean your pet’s ears safely and effectively without stressing out your beloved pet.

Inspect

Check your pet’s ears regularly. If you notice any of the following, it may be time to contact your vet.

• Odor
• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Discharge
• Scabs
• Excess wax
• Scratching, head shaking, or head tilting.

Other Considerations

• Not all dogs need their ears cleaned. For some, frequent cleaning may cause irritation and other problems. Speak with your veterinarian about what is best for you and your dog.
• Depending on your cat’s groom habits and environments, often ear cleaning is unnecessary. Cats are generally excellent self-groomers. However, if you notice any wax, dirt, build-up, or debris, it may be time for a cleaning.
• Trimming excessive ear hair can help prevent ear infections and wax build-up. Avoid sticking scissors into your pet’s ear. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, have a veterinarian or groomer take care of it for you
• Schedule regular veterinary exams so your vet can assess your pet’s health and diagnose any issues early. Your vet will check your pet’s ears and can help give you further instructions for cleaning and care.

How to Clean Your Pet’s Ears

If your pet can easily become restless or distressed, try to calm him or her with treats, affection, or another distraction. It is best to collect your supplies ahead of time so that you don’t have to scramble to find what you need during the cleaning. You will need cotton pads or balls, a veterinary-approved ear cleaner, and a towel. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based cleaners as they can dry out the ear canal and cause irritation. Do not use Q-Tips or anything with a pointed tip to clean your pet’s ears as you may damage the ear canal and cause other health problems for your pet.

It is generally easier for you to position your pet with his or her backside facing you. Gently pull on the ear flap and fill the canal with an approved-veterinarian ear cleaning solution. Do not stick the applicator into the ear canal or allow it to touch your pet’s ear as it may spread bacteria.

Massage the base of the ear for at least 30 seconds to help the solution work its way in. You will hear a squishing sound as the product dislodges debris and buildup. Allow your pet to shake his or her head and expel the solution. Use the cotton ball or towel to absorb any remaining solution on the outer part of the ear canal. Repeat until the cotton pad is clean.

Again, not all pets will need their ears cleaned frequently. Speak with your veterinarian to help you come up with an ear cleaning routine that works best for you and your pet. For more information on ear cleaning for your pet, please contact our office today.

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Types of Allergies

There are different types of allergies that your dog or cat can experience: flea, food, and environmental allergies.

Flea

Flea allergies are the most common allergy experienced in pets. This condition is a hypersensitivity to the proteins or antigens found in flea saliva. When a flea bites a cat or dog, a small amount of saliva is released and triggers a reaction from your pet’s immune system causing extreme itchiness and skin irritation throughout the body not only at the bite.

Food

Food allergies are the result of an immune response and are different from a food sensitivity or intolerance, though some symptoms can be similar. Food allergies can result in a range of symptoms from facial swelling, itchiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur. Food sensitivities and intolerances are generally less severe and often limited to digestive problems.

Beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, and soy are the most common food allergens for dogs while beef, dairy, and fish are more common in cats.

Environmental

Environmental allergies are from allergens present in your pet’s environment and include dust, fungi, pollen, mold, plants, grass, mildew, perfumes, cleaning products, and smoke. Though seasonal allergies are environmental, some of the allergens may be present all year-round and result in constant irritation. Environmental allergies do not have to be from close contact as your pet can also inhale allergens.

Allergic contact dermatitis is another form of allergic reaction that is often caused by chemicals or products that encounter your pet’s skin. This can include detergents, soaps, natural and synthetic fibers, paint, cleaning products, and insecticides. Excessive itching, redness, and irritation are the most common symptoms on and around the site of contact. Secondary symptoms may appear such as hair loss, sores, scabbing, and hot spots.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the cause and type of allergy. The following signs may be a sign of an allergic reaction.

• Constant licking or grooming
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Excessive itchiness
• Facial swelling
• Hives
• Itchy ears
• Red, inflamed skin
• Runny eyes
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing

It is important to note that these symptoms can also be signs of another condition.

Your pet may not present all of the symptoms listed above in his allergic reaction. A pet that develops anaphylactic shock from a food allergy will display different symptoms from a pet with a flea allergy.

Diagnosing Your Pet’s Allergies

Diagnosing allergies can be difficult as the symptoms of allergies could be caused by another medical condition. It is important if you suspect your pet has allergies to contact your vet so that they can diagnose your pet accurately and begin treatment immediately.

Your vet will review your pet’s medical history and complete a thorough examination. Allergy testing may be conducted with a blood or skin test. For a blood test, a sample of your pet’s blood will be sent to a laboratory for evaluation. For a skin test, small injections can be given to your pet just under the skin to see if a reaction develops. Both tests may be conducted to gain a better understanding of your pet’s allergies.

It is important to note that sometimes allergy testing may not always be a reliable method of diagnosing. Blood and skin tests can be ideal for determining some environmental allergies but are unreliable for food allergies. Food allergies may require eliminated diet trials to determine the cause of your pet’s reaction. Flea allergies can usually be diagnosed by evidence of a flea infestation.

Treatment

Allergy treatment will depend on the cause of the allergy and the condition of your pet:

• Flea allergy treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms until the fleas are eliminated. It is important to not only treat your pet for fleas but also his environment.
• For food allergies, once your diet trial determines the allergens adjustments must be made to your pet’s diet to ensure optimal health. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet.
• For environmental and seasonal allergies there are a variety of treatment options available. Prescribed antihistamines or corticosteroids can help to manage symptoms. Topical ointment, ear drops, eye drops, and formulated shampoos can also alleviate itchiness and minimize skin irritation to help prevent excessive licking or scratching.

In more severe cases, allergy shots can help to desensitize your pet from the allergen with repeated exposure. This is beneficial in the case of seasonal or environmental allergies as symptoms are significantly reduced.

If your pet has developed a second infection due to excessive scratching or grooming, your vet will also provide additional treatment.

Prevention

The best course of treatment is to avoid allergen triggers and prevent your pet from encountering them. Here are some great allergy prevention methods you can take for your pet:

• Avoid smoking and using harsh chemicals or strong-smelling products in your home
• Bathe your pet with allergenic shampoo if needed to relieve itching
• Keep your home clean to prevent dirt and dust from building up
• Use flea and tick control regularly
• Wash your pet’s bedding and favorite toys often

If you suspect your pet may have allergies, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. Though humans can outgrow allergies or learn to avoid certain allergens, your pet needs your help in living a healthy life and we are here to offer our expertise in your pet’s care. For more information on pet allergies or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today.

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