Feline Tooth Resorption: A Description of the Severity of the Disease in Regard to Animal’s Age, Sex, Breed and Clinical Presentation

Abstract

Simple Summary Oral diseases, including dental problems, are of great significance in domestic animals. Disorders involving tissue localised in the teeth, periodontium, gums or tongue can be associated with pain and loss of appetite. It is particularly prominent in predatory animals such as cats. One of the most prominent dental diseases in that animal species is tooth resorption (also known as odontoclastic resorptive lesion). The disease is associated with damage of the tooth tissue that eventually leads to tooth loss. We have analysed dental charts of 174 cats diagnosed with tooth resorption. The changes were most often noted in premolar and molar teeth. We have not found correlations between the severity of the disease and clinical symptoms shown by the animals, but the disease progressed with animals’ age. Based on the obtained results, we indicated the need of a careful dental examination with intraoral radiography in cats and especially in animals showing any signs of oral disease, even in cases with preserved appetite. Abstract Feline tooth resorption (odontoclastic resorptive lesion) is a common and important issue in veterinary dentistry. This study aimed to analyse the disease’s severity and correlation with clinical information in the population of feline patients in Poland in the area of Lower Silesia. An analysis of the clinical charts of 174 cats with dental problems, which were diagnosed as tooth resorption, was conducted. The gender and breed had no influence on the disease severity, but the disease progressed with age. The lesions were mostly encountered within the third and fourth maxillary premolars (107, 108, 207, 208) and mandibular molars (309, 409). No direct correlation was found between the presence or severity of the disease and the clinical signs of affected cats. The study shows that feline tooth resorption is a common issue in feline dentistry and should be taken into account in all cases of animals with any signs of oral disease, including gingivitis and/or dental plaque with preserved appetite. A careful intraoral radiographic examination is essential to avoid false negative results in ambiguous cases.