Why brush your cat’s teeth
Often, cat owners do not pay attention to the presence of bad breath in cats, and even more so do not look into their mouths. Detection of problems in the oral cavity usually occurs at the appointment with a veterinarian with a different pathology or during a pre-vaccination examination. It may seem to the layman that the presence of tartar on the teeth should not seriously reduce the quality of life of a cat, but this is not so. Dental deposits can be a trigger for inflammation of the entire oral cavity. Tartar puts pressure on the adjacent gum, causing inflammation and the formation of so-called pockets in the periodontium, in which the process of bone destruction around the roots of the teeth takes place. Another response to the presence of tartar and bacterial contamination is the growth of gums around the teeth.
How is tartar formed?
Food residues on the teeth eventually turn into soft plaque with a large number of microorganisms living in it. Further, it mineralizes, that is, it is impregnated with calcium and phosphorus salts, and becomes solid. Bacteria and their metabolic products, living in the oral cavity, with saliva enter further through the digestive tract. A large number of them can cause digestive disorders.
Do Maine Coon cats need anesthesia when brushing their teeth?
Cats rarely agree to an examination of their oral cavity. The very procedure for removing dental plaque with an ultrasonic scaler is painful. And in order to pass it qualitatively and without stress for the animal, it is necessary that the cat does not participate in the process and is under anesthesia. To prevent new plaque, it is important that the teeth are polished after brushing using special pastes.
In uor practice, there have been cases when pet owners categorically refused dental treatment under anesthesia. They went to other clinics or pet salons where they were able to perform this operation without sedating the animal. In most cases, they returned to us, already with anxiety. The fact is that the rigid fixation of the animal may seem to dislocate the joints, fracture the jaw, and if there are problems with the heart, then to the edema of the lower part of the lungs. The fact is that rigid fixation of the animal can lead to dislocation of the joints, fracture of the lower jaw, and if there are problems with the heart, then to pulmonary edema.
How to Prepare for an Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning on a Maine Coon Cat?
First you need to visit a dentist to find out the upcoming scope of work. Depending on the number of accumulated problems, the doctor may advise preoperative treatment. It most often includes antibiotic therapy and local treatments with antiseptic solutions.
Although brushing your teeth does not take much time, you still need to determine the risks of anesthesia.
The cat examines the work of internal organs and the cardiovascular system. To do this, an ultrasound examination of the heart is performed and blood is taken for clinical and biochemical analysis. A 12-hour fasting diet is required before testing and before intervention.
How to avoid tartar in Maine Coon cats
To this end, it is necessary to periodically undergo a preventive dental examination to identify problems in the initial stages.
A good measure of prevention is regular brushing of teeth at home. But, unfortunately, the owners rarely manage to accustom their cat to this procedure.
You can also use special foods to help care for your teeth, or chewy treats.
But it should be remembered that these measures are purely preventive, and they will not help an animal with existing problems in the oral cavity.