Casebook

This page will use actual cases of mine to highlight relevant health issues for any cat owner.

State-of-the-art

dental equipment and dental x-rays

ensure the highest standard of

treatment.

The photograph above is of a patient with Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions, or ' neck' lesions of the teeth. Recent studies estimate that more than 30% of cats are affected. The cause of these cavities is, as yet, unknown, but they are painful, causing pain on eating and reduced appetite. Many lesions are not as obvious as the ones in the photo, and the owner may only be aware that their cat is below par. These lesions may be below the gum line and may be invisible to the naked eye, and require dental x-rays for diagnosis. Lesions are usually so advanced that the only treatment is extraction, as was required for all the teeth shown above.

Glass-fronted recovery cages in the treatment area allow close observation of patients following anaesthesia, before they are moved to the main ward.

Dental x-ray of teeth

with advanced lesions,

showing destruction of

tooth roots.

Needless to say, the best treatment is prevention, with regular dental examinations, brushing, and attention to diet.