Cats
don’t get cavities like we humans do. Instead, they develop feline
odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs), also known as a neck lesions or
feline cavities. Unlike human cavities, cat cavities aren’t caused by decay on
the surface of the tooth; they occur when bone-eating cells actually destroy
the tooth starting at the gum line and down into the root.
FORLs can
be hard to see because they get covered with calculus or gum tissue, but they
cause a great deal of pain. Siamese and Persian breeds tend to be more
susceptible to FORLs. Treatment generally consists of surgery to remove the
affected teeth. If your cat starts having difficulty eating or if you notice
broken teeth, take your cat to the vet right away.
Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is
the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a
weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.
Originally posted: June 8th, 2011
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