Gingivitis in Cats - Help?

What are some items/symptoms I should look out for in gingivitis? I looked on the postings in the care and health board but couldn't find anything really specific. Thanks in advance!

We found out last week that my kitty Daisy has gum disease, and yesterday we took her to the vet for some dental work. She had root planing done (where they scrape the tartar off the roots underneath the gumline), tooth polishing, and she also had 3 teeth extracted. Needless to say, my poor baby is in a great deal of pain today.

Really, the only symptom that we noticed on Daisy was that she had horribly bad breath. When we took her to the vet for a checkup last week, the dr. was able to diagnose it. So, maybe you might want to have your vet look at your kitty's teeth next time you go in for a checkup. Hope this helps!

I'd recommend when you have your kitty's annual visit that you have the teeth checked.

We try to "brush" Bijou and Mika's teeth with this really soft rubber brush that you put over your finger and massage their teeth with. They don't seem to mind and you can do it while they are relaxing in your lap.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

I'd recommend when you have your kitty's annual visit that you have the teeth checked.

We try to "brush" Bijou and Mika's teeth with this really soft rubber brush that you put over your finger and massage their teeth with. They don't seem to mind and you can do it while they are relaxing in your lap.

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Yeah we've tried that a few times with Cassie and normally she's very good during grooming but she will have NONE OF THAT.

I am very particular about getting dental cleanings b/c my old cat Cody died a horrible painful death due to abcessed teeth and decay My mom was his sole caretaker (I was a kid when we got him and an adult in college when he died) and didn't know this was important.

The last time we took Cassie she had a bad reaction to the anesthesia so we are hesitant to do it again in the next year So we need to start brushing regularly which should be fun!!!

Thanks for your advice. She doesn't have bad breath but her gums are more "reddish" than "pinkish" though not bleeding or bloody. But her annual is coming up soon, will definitely ask the vet about it. THANKS!

Originally Posted by aliwoy

We found out last week that my kitty Daisy has gum disease, and yesterday we took her to the vet for some dental work. She had root planing done (where they scrape the tartar off the roots underneath the gumline), tooth polishing, and she also had 3 teeth extracted. Needless to say, my poor baby is in a great deal of pain today.

Click to expand...

Sending good vibes to Daisy Cat

Maybe if you just do a little at a time she might get used to it.

When Bijou and Mika were little we would often hold their paws gently and massage or stroke so they would get used to us holding their paws to clip their claws. Worked for us.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis in cats can include:

• Bad Breath
• Yellow, brown or otherwise discolored deposits and stains on the teeth where they meet the gums
• A thick crust of tarter buildup on the teeth
• Redness and obvious irritation at the edges of the gums where they meet the teeth
• Receeding gums which reveal or expose the roots of the tooth
• Drooling
• Blood in the saliva
• Mouth pain which is evidenced by pawing at the mouth or rubbing the sides of the mouth against household objects or the floor
• Disinterest in normally acceptable food or difficult in chewing foods previously well tolerated
• Difficult or inability in closing the mouth

It should also be noted that even if the teeth are clean, shiny and white, the gums may still harbor the infection and a dental should be performed if there is ANY redness in the gums.

Hope this helps,

~gf~