Cat / Exotic Shorthair - Answered 1467 days ago
Our cat has bad breath. I want to brush her teeth, but she doesn't like being touched in the mouth. I've been bitten before so I'm a little afraid. Is there a good solution to this? (By the way, I've been wondering why the cat doesn't smell after grooming herself, even though she has bad breath)
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Emma Davis
United States
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Cleo
Exotic Shorthair, 2 years old spayed female
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Well bad breath in technical language is called as halitosis. It may be caused by several things. bacteria associated with plaque tartar (also called calculus) decomposing food particles retained within periodontal pockets persistent bleeding due to coagulation abnormalities tissue necrosis (death of tissue) Treatment of halitosis in cats involves eliminating the cause(s). First, the teeth need to be thoroughly cleaned and polished under general anesthesia (see handout "Dental Cleaning in Cats" for more information). Cleaning removes plaque and tartar (calculus) above and below the gum line (with the help of hand instruments and scaler tips designed to be used under the gum line). After teeth cleaning, a tooth-by-tooth examination is conducted. Intraoral dental X-rays are inspected to complete the oral assessment. Often those teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease or tooth resorption need to be extracted. "Often those teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease or tooth resorption need to be extracted." When periodontal pockets are small or when bleeding is found on probing, local anti-microbial administration may help to reduce halitosis by decreasing bleeding and diminishing pocket depths.
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