Veterinary Dentistry: Feline Oral Conditions

Feline Resorptive Lesions

• Staging by visual and tactile examination is not clinically significant as all TRL (tooth resorptive lesions) should be extracted.
• Intra-oral dental radiographs are essential for accurate assessment and treatment of tooth resorption, for any species.
• Different types of TRL (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3) are distinguished using radiographs.
• TR type 1, 2 and 3 are different types of tooth resorptive lesions.

Juvenile Hyperplastic Gingivitis

• Seen in kittens (6-8 months old).
• Characterized by tissue covering the erupting permanent teeth.
• Impacts chewing and oral hygiene.
• Treatment involves gingivectomy, COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) and regular monitoring.

Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

• Often preceded by juvenile hyperplastic gingivitis.
• A painful condition characterized by severe inflammation of gingiva, buccal and caudal oral mucosa.
• Affects approximately 0.7% to 10% of the feline population.
• Gingivitis impacts only the gingiva, whereas stomatitis affects the mucous lining.
• Mucogingival line is used as a landmark to demarcate areas.
• Involves inappropriate immune response to oral stimulation.
• Triggers include periodontal disease, tooth resorption, oral bacteria, calicivirus, herpesvirus.
• Complicated by feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.
• Clinical signs include pain (behavior changes), weight loss, lack of grooming, and difficulty eating.

Management of Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

• Four stages: COHAT, potentially steroids, anti-inflammatories, extractions, and long-term treatments (antibiotics and steroids), making it a Rescue Therapy.
• Complete tooth extractions may be necessary to resolve inflammation if other treatments do not work completely.
• Success rates of extractions in treating the disease are substantial, approximately 55% cure, and 35% are marked improvement.
• Corticosteroids may be used to suppress the immune system and increase appetite but adverse effects (such as skin/hair changes, muscle wasting, and insulin resistance) should be considered.
• Extractions or management should only be performed after pain relief.
• Type 1 (involves alveolar and buccal gingiva)- more manageable than Type 2.
• Type 2 (involves caudal stomatitis affecting palatine tonsils) is less easily treated.

Test your knowledge on common feline dental issues including Feline Resorptive Lesions, Juvenile Hyperplastic Gingivitis, and Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis. This quiz covers diagnosis, treatment options, and implications for oral health in cats. Gain insights into the importance of dental radiographs and comprehensive treatments.