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Feline Oral Disease
Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL)
FORLs are common destructive lesions that usually start on the root(s) of cats teeth. The cement and dentine of the root is destroyed by cells called odontoclasts.
Symptoms
The lesion may progress into the crown of the tooth, destroying hard tissues and exposing the sensitive pulp of the tooth. It is at this stage that the FORL may become painful.
Treatment
At the moment the cause of FORL is not understood and there is currently no cure . The treatment of choice for teeth with FORL is extraction.
Cats that develop one FORL are likely to develop further FORL's. It is therefore sensible to check FORL cats at regular intervals so that new lesions can be picked up early and pain can be prevented.
Feline Chronic Gingivo-Stomatitis Syndrome
Feline Chronic Gingivo-Stomatitis syndrome (FCGS) is a group of conditions that result in severe and often debilitating inflammation in the mouths of cats. It can be a very difficult condition to manage or cure.
It occurs most often at the back of the mouth and in the angle of the jaw (glosso-palatine folds). The inflammation can also extend forward to affect the tissues around the teeth (periodontium) and the back of the tongue.
There is not a single cause of FCGS. It is believed that a number of factors play a part.
These may include:
- Feline Calici Virus (Flu Virus)
- Feline Leukaemia Virus
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Feline Aids Virus)
- Periodontitis (inflammation of tissues around teeth caused by plaque)
- Other systemic disease
- Genetic inherited factors
Diagnosis:
A presumptive diagnosis may often be made based on clinical signs and a visual inspection. However important information may be revealed by carrying out further tests, which may include blood tests, x rays and biopsies.
Treatment may involve:
- Scaling and polishing teeth to remove calculus and plaque
- Teeth brushing, oral flushing with chlorhexidene, appropriate diet and chews to eliminate plaque
- Antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in certain cases.
- Specific antiviral treatments such as Interferon for Calici Virus.
- Extraction of some or all teeth is indicated in certain circumstances.
- Other drugs such as Feline Omega Interferon may be helpful but there is limited information regarding their efficacy at the moment.
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