Oral diseases are relatively rarely diagnosed in cats. However, the cat’s change in status (now seen as a pet receiving medical attention), improved techniques and better communications on the part of veterinarians should see a rise in these figures which are probably far from the true picture. It is believed that 70% of cats over the age of three suffer from a disorder of the mouth (Lund – 1996 quoted by Harvey, 2004). Unfortunately, the owner generally only realizes the existence of a pathological condition late in the process. The best method of assessing the extent of the disease is to follow up on a physical examination with radiographs. For cats, six different views will be needed in order to see all the teeth (Verstraete, 2001). All oral disorders require thorough and early handling. In fact, they often lead to loss of appetite – a phenomenon that can have dramatic consequences – or cause aggressive behavior linked to pain.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
This is a general term applied to inflammatory disorders affecting the periodontal tissues around the teeth. In addition to the appearance, excessive salivation and halitosis that the owner may find offensive, this disease has serious repercussions on the cat’s health both locally and in more distant organs such as heart, liver, kidneys and joints (Ingham and Gorrel, 2002). Periodontal disease starts fairly early since we find signs in 70% of cats aged between 20 and 27 months and its severity increases as the animal gets older (Ingham et al, 2002).
CHRONIC GINGIVITIS-STOMATITIS
Also known as “complex” feline gingivitis-stomatitis, this is a disorder found frequently in felines (Vieilledent, 2003). It is thought that this syndrome has an immunological origin. It is probably a chronic inflammatory response to bacteria and viruses of which the animal is incapable of ridding itself. The break down of local immunity combined with the constant pressure of infection helps to explain the pathology. The cat exhibits excessive salivation, swollen gums and sometimes lips and tongue, hesitance to eat due to pain, severe halitosis, and often has its mouth partially open.
FELINE ODONTOCLASTIC RESORPTIVE LESIONS (FORL) OR “NECK/CERVICAL LINE LESIONS”
Such lesions are very frequent in cats. These lesions are detected by visual inspection, by tactile examination using a dental explorer or by radiographs. Radiography remains the preferred method as it can detect and show the extent of the lesions. The precise etiology of this disorder is still unknown today. One hypothesis has, however been put forward: cells are attracted by the infected periodontal site where they change into destructive (clastic) cells attacking first the cementum, then the dentine and sometimes the enamel of the tooth. The resulting condition can be abscessation of the tooth root, tooth loss, and damage to the supporting bone.
OTHER CONDITIONS
If an absence of teeth is noted – such as late eruption or maybe following trauma – it is important to take an radiograph. Except in the brachycephalic breeds of cats (i.e. Persians) ,that fall victim to the “exaggerated” type of their breed, problems of malocclusion are less frequent in the feline species than in dogs. If it occurs, it is necessary to extract some teeth or carry out orthodontic treatment to avoid perforation lesions caused by badly placed teeth (Holmstrom, 2001).
In cats, almost all tumors of the mouth prove to be malignant (> 80%), a majority of which are carcinomas arising from the skin and mucous membranes (Gauthier, 2003). These tumors mainly affect older cats, without any particular predisposition for sex or breed. They are found in particular around the premolars/molars of the upper jaw, premolars of the lower jaw or possibly under the tongue. Their prognosis is poor due to the difficulty of early detection, the challenge of surgical access to remove the tumor, the highly invasive nature of the cancers, and to the variable response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Verhaert, 2001).