Infant Kitten Opening Mouth Wide Then Shutting Again
Dr. Ernie Ward delves into his top dental questions when information technology comes to cats. For more from Dr. Ward, find him on Facebook!
For some inexplicable reason, I go fewer questions from my true cat clients about their kitty'due south teeth and oral cavity than inquiries from dog guardians. I have a few theories on this phenomenon:
- I think in general cat guardians accept less direct interaction with their true cat'due south mouths (i.e. non as much kissing or licking. Cats are far too dignified for that.).
- True cat guardians have less direct contact with their pet's mouth through chew toys and bouts of tug-of-war (every bit if a cat could exist bothered).
- The fact that poking effectually a true cat'south oral fissure ofttimes results in deep puncture wounds (well…duh).
Take your choice, add your own, just the bulk of cat owners I serve seem largely uninterested in the teeth, gums, lips, and tongue of their feline friend. But when they do inquire questions, they're some of the all-time, virtually challenging and interesting inquiries you'll encounter. Read on; you only may acquire something or become a chuckle or two.
1. How many teeth exercise cats have? I only meet 2 – the fangs.
Cats have xxx developed teeth and 26 baby teeth. That's far fewer than dogs (42 and 28) and less than humans (32 and 20). Those "fangs" or upper canine teeth oftentimes protrude saber-tooth tiger style and lend some cats an intimidating smile. Aye, I'm afraid. And I think those enamel-embellished kitties prefer information technology that fashion.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinary – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
2. When do cats get their baby and developed teeth?
Observing the eruption or emergence of teeth is a dandy method for estimating a kitten's age. This is particularly helpful when faced with a stray kitten. The offset teeth to erupt are the tiny front teeth or incisors and the long, pointy canines (some people still refer to them equally "fangs." Blame information technology on Twilight.). The primary (or "babe") incisors and canines become visible around three to iv weeks of historic period. The teeth immediately behind the canines, the premolars, quickly follow the front end teeth. This typically occurs when the kittens are around five to vi weeks old. The permanent teeth erupt effectually 11 to 16 weeks of age, beginning with the incisors followed by the canines at 12 to 20 weeks. The premolars are in place by 16 to 20 weeks of age. The difficult-to-see, way-in-the-back molars emerge effectually xx to 24 weeks.
If you have whatever questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-existence of your pets.
iii. Do cats get cavities?
Dental caries, or "cavities" for the rest of us not calling ourselves "Dentist," are rare in cats and dogs. This is due in part to a cat's relatively low-sugar diet, differences in oral bacteria, and the shape of the teeth. When cavities occur, they tin can be painful and crave similar repair procedures as humans with cavities, or, dental caries.
If you lot accept any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
iv. Why are cat bites and so bad and probable to get infected?
Anyone who'due south worked with and handled enough cats knows that when you're bitten (note I said "when") by a cat, not but does information technology injure like you-know-what but those deep puncture wounds are probable to become infected or abscessed. The starting time answer lies inside the unique anatomy of one of a cat's main weapons – those long, sharp, pointy canines. Designed like to hypodermic needles, these teeth excel at penetrating flesh intensely, dissentious underlying structures such as arteries and veins. In addition, like that needle, they conduct pathogenic bacteria deep inside the body. As the tooth is withdrawn, the narrow puncture wound closes onto itself, trapping behind infection that later becomes an abscess. Making matters worse, a cat's mouth contains several species of highly pathogenic microorganisms. This is why whenever a true cat bites i of my veterinarian staff, I send them to the physician's office immediately to begin a course of antibiotics. I accept a friend whose wife was recently bitten past a stray cat they were attempting to rescue. She was bitten but thought information technology was such a tiny bite that it would be fine. She almost lost her hand. Later on intensive intravenous antibiotics and a couple of days in the hospital, I'm happy to report she'll go along her hand, although she may have permanent impairment. Don't take a chance if yous're bitten. Flush the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention.
If you take whatsoever questions or concerns, you should always visit or phone call your veterinarian – they are your all-time resource to ensure the health and well-existence of your pets.
v. Can cats re-abound their teeth? Do their teeth continue growing their unabridged lives?
No and no. Sharks are probably the animal yous're thinking of. After a cat gets all 30 permanent teeth in place, that'southward it. No more than. Lose one and your cat is forever downward to 29. Unlike rodents, a true cat'southward teeth don't keep on growing. If they did, I'd exist even more intimidated past my large 15 year-old cat cat, Freddy. His canines would be dragging the basis past at present…
If you accept any questions or concerns, y'all should always visit or telephone call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-beingness of your pets.
6. Practice cats need braces?
You jest but some cats practice, in fact, need braces to correct some very severe oral malformations. The almost common reasons for feline brace-confront include lance or saber-similar canine projections of the upper canines in Persian cats. "Wry bite" is another problem that results when an uneven bite occurs, causing 1 or both canines to protrude at odd angles, preventing normal eating and drinking. Braces for cats aren't for cosmetic but literally life-saving conditions.
If you take whatever questions or concerns, y'all should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-beingness of your pets.
7. My vet said my true cat had some painful tooth problem that may require extraction of several teeth. Is this legit?
I'm guessing your cat may be i of the millions of cats affected by an unusual, exceptionally common and extremely painful condition known most often equally feline ondoclastic resorptive lesions, or FORLs. Most cats with FORLs are over five years old. The most common clinical signs associated with FORLs include excessive salivation, bleeding from the mucilage line or teeth, and difficulty eating. Many of my patients will suddenly become "picky" and refuse to eat dry kibble. There are many treatments available, but extraction is still the virtually commonly performed procedure to relieve this excruciating condition. The exact cause of FORLs has yet to exist determined, although researchers are actively pursuing several theories.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resources to ensure the health and well-existence of your pets.
eight. Can cats get rima oris cancer?
Sadly, yes. Oral tumors in cats are very serious and require firsthand and aggressive treatment. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the nearly common cancerous oral tumor in cats, although many other forms of cancer occur. If you lot observe any lumps, swelling, or discolored areas in your cats' mouth, have it seen by your veterinarian at once.
If you have any questions or concerns, yous should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
9. My cat has swollen gums and his entire oral fissure seems inflamed. What'due south going on?
My biggest concern is your true cat has a status chosen stomatitis (more correctly referred to as lymphocytic plasmacytic gingivitis pharangitis syndrome). This condition is too very painful and about cats have problems eating and swallowing, weight loss, and excessive salivation. Treatments vary widely and cats respond differently to an assortment of options. The exact cause is unknown although an underlying allowed-mediated disorder is strongly suspected. Be patient and work closely with your veterinary; cats with stomatitis require extended periods of treatment.
If you take whatever questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinary – they are your best resources to ensure the health and well-being of your pet s.
10. I can't castor my cat'due south teeth! Am I a bad pet parent?
If not brushing your cat'due south teeth is your worst offense, I'1000 not going to say you're a bad kitty momma. Besides, I'll let y'all in on a secret; I don't brush my cats' teeth, either. Instead, I have their teeth regularly cleaned (typically at to the lowest degree once a yr) under anesthesia past one of my veterinarian technicians. While my kitties are sleeping, I take dental ten-rays to ensure in that location are no hidden problems underneath the gums. I too requite them chew treats approved past the Veterinarian Oral Health Council (VOHC) to help reduce tartar in cats. My cats volition tolerate oral antimicrobial rinses then they get their "mouth wash" a few times each week. Finally, I brand it a habit to (advisedly) lift the lips of my cats and examine their teeth and gums each week to make sure everything looks healthy. So don't fret; have your cats to your veterinarian at to the lowest degree once a yr, accept the teeth cleaned by a professional when needed, behave routine home mouth checks, and utilise products proven to help keep your kitty's rima oris healthy.
If you take any questions or concerns, you lot should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
The opinions and views expressed in this post are those of the author's and do non necessarily represent the beliefs, policies or positions of PetHealthNetwork.com, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates and partner companies.
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