Examine the images below carefully.
At first glance, it might appear to be nothing more than gum inflammation. Yet, dental pathology is the single most frequent health issue in adult pets. While a human would quickly vocalize their discomfort, your companion is biologically hardwired to suffer in silence to avoid appearing weak.
Below, we break down the specific biology affecting Garfield Cat Mr. Michael’s oral health, explaining how we confirmed the diagnosis and the best path toward treatment and prevention.
How do we diagnose it? (Why we need more than a look)
Diagnosing a pet is fundamentally different from diagnosing a human because our patients cannot follow instructions or describe their symptoms.
Stage 1: The Conscious Exam ("Flipping the Lip") What to consider in the exam room:
- Calculus: The tan/brown cement buildup.
- Gum swollen: The gum is swollen and changing red color instead of Pink.
- Gingival Recession: Roots showing where the gum has pulled back.
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Limitation: The inside of the mouth cannot be seen easily.
Stage 2: The "Gold Standard" (Under Anesthesia) This is the only way to get a true diagnosis.
- Periodontal Probing: Pockets around the tooth are measured. In cats, anything over 0.5-1mm is concerning.
- Intraoral Radiography: 60% of the tooth structure is below the gumline. Cat often have "apical abscesses" (infections at the root tip) that look perfectly normal on the surface but are destroying the jawbone underneath.
