Juvenile gingivitis in cats

Some immature cats display pronounced inflammation of the gums that has not spread to the back of the mouth called feline juvenile gingivitis. Causes may include exaggerated inflammation at the time of tooth eruption , viral exposure ( FeLV , FIV , Calici), immune-mediated disorders, or mixture of reasons. In these patients, intense gingivitis may begin at the time of tooth eruption , progressing to periodontitis without aggressive early treatment. Juvenile feline hyperplastic gingivitis is a pronounced generalized inflammation and overproduction of the attached gingival (gum) tissues in the young cat.

Figure 1) It is typically diagnosed around the time of tooth eruption between 7-months of age.

Certain breeds are over-represented including Maine Coon, Siamese, Abyssinian, and Somali. Caudal stomatitis is painful and generally seen in older cats. My new cat has juvenile gingivitis: she has a thin red line next to her teeth on her gums. I watched a Cornell University video on how to brush teeth, and my vet did say I. Cats are prone to chronic diseases of the mouth including gingivitis (inflammation of the gums ) and stomatitis (inflammation of the oral mucous membranes, usually the back of the mouth). The disease may also be known as ‘feline gingivostomatitis’.

Kittens can acquire gingivitis even with little tartar buildup , but factors such as crowded teeth, poor chewing habits, lack of oral health, eating soft foo open mouth breathing and some autoimmune diseases can increase their risk.

Understanding the causes of gingivitis can help you prevent this painful flare-up in your kitty companion. Watch to see if the cat is frequently pawing at their face. If their gums hurt, they may also be refusing to eat hard foods or dry kibble. In juvenile onset periodontal disease , there is an excessive immune response to these erupting teeth. This process leads to severe gingivitis , rapid accumulation of plaque and subsequent inflammation of the periodontal tissues.

If left untreate this cat gum disease will lead to oral pain and eventual tooth loss. One of these conditions is called juvenile onset periodontitis. This cat gum disease is similar to a condition called Aggressive Periodontitis, which is seen in humans during the teenage years. The underlying cause is unknown in people as in cats.

How do cats get juvenile onset periodontal disease? Depending upon the severity of the gingivitis , cats may be hesitant to eat, may turn their heads unusually while eating, may stop eating, drool, or develop bad breath (halitosis). Typically, periodontal changes, including alveolar bone loss, gingival resorption, pocket formation, or root exposure that affect older cats are seen but at this early age.

Although the median age of cats with oropharyngeal inflammation is seven years, sometimes this disease can develop when the cat is very young. Juvenile periodontitis starts in cats less than 9-months of age. It may occur at three to five months of age when the permanent teeth are erupting and become more severe by nine months of age.

Often the cat’s haircoat will appear unkempt due to lack of self grooming. In certain purebred cats there are unique forms of periodontal diseases. Stomatitis is often very painful causing a decreased appetite due to the pain. Juvenile hyperplastic gingivitis - this commonly affects Abyssinian and Persian kittens. The patient will present with proliferative tissue that covers the teeth.

This condition appears at 6-months of age. Causes of feline periodontitis Like most dental problems, peridontitis in cats begins with the formation of bacterial plaque on teeth and gums. There might be more of a tendency for certain breeds like the Siamese to develop stomatitis.

Learn The Signs And Symptoms Of Unhealthy Gums.