Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) I took my cat Pippi to the vet for her jabs this morning, & asked him to look at her gums, which have been very pink for a couple of weeks. She has gingivitis, but he said that in such a young cat (17 months) it could be linked to malabsorption of minerals & weakened tooth enamel, & might require a total extraction to prevent her teeth basically crumbling away! Has anyone any experience of this please? My previous cat had a lot of teeth removed as they were malformed, but she was elderly & they were causing pain. Pippi is much younger so it is worrying. Also could it be linked to her being a pedigree animal? Edited February 25, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 What breed is she, Some are more susceptible than others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Juvenile gingivitis is quite common in Maine Coons (I am assuming from your signature that it is one of your Maine Coons). Does your vet think that extraction is your only option? Sometime treatment can keep things under control but if the teeth are actually crumbling, extraction may be your only option There are a few dental specialists in the UK (I know 1 but they are miles away from you). If your cat is insured it might be worth asking for a referral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Are those the large wild looking tabby cats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Yes she is my 'little' Maine Coon at 12lb, and yes they are big wild looking gentle soppy things! I'll try to upload a photo later of her and Angus who is now over 21lb. My vet isn't in a hurry to take teeth out, they are ok at the moment so he's going to have a proper look first and then we'll decide. Both cats are insured by Petplan so I will bear in mind your good advice regarding referrals - thanks Chucky Mama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Plaque Off can be good for cats with gingivitis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks, I've googled it and will try that (might need to feed a little wet food to get her to eat it though). I might even try the human variety to see if it reduces visits to the hygienist ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Photos as promised! Pippi in the snow: Angus posing: Quality may not be perfect as they were taken with my phone, but they give an idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Aw they are both absolutely gorgeous! I'm very ....have always fancied a Norwegian Forest Cat, which are similar to Maine Coones....hope you get her gums sorted x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Lovely cats I hope you manage to get her teeth sorted out too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 What beautiful cats - my idea of heaven I clicked on your post because I had no idea what gingivitis was - I was thinking ' is it some anti-ginger thing in the cat world?' Anyway, I have no direct experience of it, but I had an old cat with bad teeth/gums/breath and the vet would either manually remove tartar with his finger nails and/or recommended we used Hills T/D 'teeth biscuits' - I can't remember their real name but they are hard and help apparently. As an aside my 2 current cats are pre-owned and both had had an incisor taken out pre-us. I don't know why, and our vets always ask because they are also puzzled. The main thing is they both get on just fine with the one, eating food provided by us and massacre-ing unfortunate rodents so it doesn't hold them up. Hope your girl is feeling fine and it all turns out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
