Very few pet owners brush their cat's teeth, which can lead to oral health problems as early as age three. Unfortunately, the problems that your cat can endure if they have poor oral health can go far beyond their teeth and gums. If your cat has oral health problems like gum disease, infections, or decaying teeth, here are three other problems they could potentially develop.
Spreading Infections
When you think about gum disease, chances are you don't think about something that can affect the whole body. Unfortunately, gums that have gum disease are often also infected due to their overall poor health and the poor health of their associated teeth. These infections can actually spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. After travelling, viruses and bacteria can cause infections elsewhere, or just damage and inflammation. In either case, you could end up with a cat that's sick and lethargic without any clear idea of how they got that way.
Kidney Disease
Although there isn't any exact certainty about why cats develop kidney disease, it's possible that poor oral health has something to do with it. The theory here is that inflammation from gum disease causes inflammation everywhere in the body, including the kidneys. Over the course of a cat's life, excessive inflammation can potentially damage tissues, creating scar tissue in the kidneys. From here, it's a downhill slope with the kidneys struggling to perform their duties and becoming more damaged in the process, ultimately resulting in complete kidney failure and death.
Fatty Liver Disease
Lastly, poor oral health can potentially cause fatty liver disease. While not as dangerous as kidney disease, it's obviously still something you don't want your cat to go through.
The cause behind this disease is different than kidney disease. When cats have oral health problems, they often don't want to eat because it hurts to do it. If a cat doesn't eat for long enough, they begin to starve and can develop fatty liver disease as their body tries to process stored fat in order to survive. This disease is reversible if caught on time, but it's painful and unpleasant for a cat to go to even if you get immediate medical help.
If you're not brushing your cat's teeth and taking them in for regular dental cleanings, you're potentially putting your cat at risk of developing one or all of these problems. While it can be a nuisance to keep up with regular oral hygiene maintenance for your cat, it's a necessity for their health and well-being. Talk to resources such as Robert Irelan DVM if you're looking for advice or tips and tricks on how to more easily control your cat and get their teeth clean.
Share