Are gum inflammations in cats serious?
A gum inflammation is also called gingivitis and is definitely something for professional hands. Inflammations in the gum area are very painful for your cat and can also spread to the oral mucosa spread (gingivostomatitis). The gums themselves play an important role in holding the teeth in place. If the gum inflammation is not treated medically in a timely manner, in the worst case, periodontitis can develop, which can lead to a rapid recession of the gums and to tooth loss.
Symptoms: How to recognize gum inflammation
Just like for us humans, inflammation of the gums is also a painful issue for your cat. She will certainly show some symptoms that you can recognize with close observation:
Your cat withdraws and does not want to be touched.
Your cat →eats less than usual and may also lose weight.
Your cat meows a lot or makes other sounds that could indicate pain. Especially when you touch her head area.
Your cat has unpleasant bad breath and possibly increased salivation.
Your cat has discolored teeth.
Note that cats tend to hide pain, which means your kitty might be hiding her gum inflammation well. If you are unsure, it’s best to take your feline friend to the vet just to be safe.
Gum inflammation is often caused by poor dental care. It is very painful and can even lead to your cat losing its teeth.
Examination by veterinarians
Usually, your vet will first examine your cat thoroughly to find out what is causing the inflammation. For this, a general anesthesia is often necessary, as very few cats will allow their mouths to be examined when in pain.
With a special probe, the entire mouth, teeth, and gums are examined. It is checked whether pockets have already formed in the gums where bacteria can accumulate and whether or how much the gums bleed under light pressure. If the inflammation is already severe, usually the teeth and jawbone are also X-rayed to check whether the jaw apparatus has already been affected.
The treatment
Usually, a thorough dental cleaning is the method of choice when it comes to treating gum inflammation in cats. If the inflammation is advanced, first all damaged and loose teeth must be extracted. The remaining teeth are then freed from all plaque and tartar and then polished smooth. This reduces the surface area for new germs to attack.
If necessary, anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, painkillers and/or medicine to support the immune system must be given for a few days.
If your cat has inflamed gums, there is no way around veterinary treatment.
How to prevent gum inflammation in your cat
Better than quickly treating your cat’s gum inflammation is to not let it get that far in the first place. Even though many cats develop dental problems over the course of their lives, that’s no reason to skip →cleaning your cat’s teeth.
A very simple way to prevent dental problems and gum inflammation is the →right cat food. Unnecessary additives like sugar and grains can promote the formation of plaque on the teeth. That’s why at Pets Deli we use only high-quality meat combined with select fruits and vegetables.
Our cat food: honest, healthy, delicious.
Also, brushing the teeth as part of →complete grooming can be helpful if your cat is prone to plaque and unclean teeth. Since you should regularly take your cat to the vet, you can also have the vets take a look at those little chompers while you’re there.
