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Cats

Feline dental disease is very common with as many as 85% of cats aged three years or more having dental problems. Dental disease becomes more common and severe as cats age (just with humans). We are happy to advise how to keep your cats smile as healthy and happy as possible. Cats should ideally have their teeth examined by a vet at least once every 12 months, and cats that have had dental problems should be examined once every 3-6 months depending on their condition. Dental disease affects both young and old cats. It is often unnoticed as many cats will continue eating despite having painful mouths.

Common dental problems in cats

• Tooth resorption, where the enamel and dentine of the tooth are eroded leaving a hole, eventually leading to fracture of the crown if left untreated.
• Periodontal disease, where plaque and tartar accumulation lead to painful gingivitis (inflamed gums)

Dog dental problems like gingivitis and periodontitis are preventable with regular dental care. If your dog’s teeth are neglected, oral health problems can occur over time. Our staff are happy to discuss oral hygiene for your dog – please let us know when you book your appointment. We check for dental issues during annual health checks too.

Gingivitis

This is a condition caused by a build-up of hardened bacteria above and below the gum line causing inflammation. Signs of gingivitis include bleeding, redness, swollen gums, and bad breath. Gingivitis is reversible with regular teeth cleanings, It can cause serious health problems if it is not treated.

Periodontitis

This infection occurs when bacteria flourishes under the gumline. Signs include loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Periodontitis can result in tooth loss and infection can spread to the rest of the body.

Gum Disease

Symptoms can include an increase in height and thickness of gums, bleeding, halitosis, excess drooling, and decreased appetite.

Halitosis

This can be a sign of serious dental health problems as well as being unpleasant for you. Bad breath can be caused by bacteria growth along the teeth and gum line. Regular brushing and dental cleanings by your vet are generally effective.

Dental cavities

These can form from bacteria on the tooth’s surface. Look for black, decaying areas on the tooth at the gum line or on top of molars, as well as softened enamel. Cavities can cause pain and difficulty in chewing and increase the risk of other infections. Tooth extraction is a common treatment for caries, though some teeth can be saved.

Teeth abscesses

Tooth roots can be affected when excess bacteria travels up through the gum line, or reaches the root through the bloodstream. Sometimes pus forms under or in the tissues surrounding the dog's tooth It is extremely painful for your dog. Symptoms of this condition include swelling, discharge below the eye, fever, loss of appetite, and depression. It can also show in the form of facial swellings. Tooth extraction is the most common method of treatment.

Tumours

Tumours can appear in your dog’s mouth area including the lymph regions around the mouth.  

Dental disease carries serious risk to your dog’s health. If you notice any symptoms of these issues, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Dental problems in rabbits can occur for a variety of reasons including genetic or traumatic causes. However, the most common cause of dental disease in rabbits is an inappropriate diet. This can mean either the wrong sort of food being offered OR the right sorts of foods in the wrong quantities! Rabbits’ cheek teeth grow several millimeters every week. This means providing plant material such as grass and hay (which act a little like sand paper when chewed) is essential to stop overgrowth of their teeth. A lack of plant material in the diet can lead to cheek teeth that are too long which lead to pain, reduced appetite, weight loss, abscesses and eye conditions. Too little fibre in the diet can also lead to fatal gut problems and diarrhoea. Please read the hand out on how to feed your rabbit for further information (link to feeding handout).

Signs that your rabbit may be suffering from dental problems include:

• Reduced appetite / favouring softer food items
• Reduced droppings
• Weight loss
• Drooling
• Discharge from the eyes
• Swelling on the face
• Reduced grooming
• Not eating their caecotrophs (night faeces)

If in any doubt, it is always best to book in for a full health check with one of our Exotics team as problems can be very painful and progress quickly leading to serious illness. A health check will include a full discussion about your rabbit’s set up, diet, health concerns and a full physical examination including looking inside the mouth. However, even with the most well-behaved rabbits, we cannot completely examine every tooth conscious, so if in doubt we may recommend a full dental examination under sedation with imaging if needed. At this point, any dental overgrowths can be corrected with a small burr and any loose or infected teeth can be removed. Most rabbits will be kept in hospital for one night following the procedure for ongoing supportive care and to make sure that they are eating well and producing plenty of droppings before their return home!
If your rabbit is diagnosed with dental problems, regular dental work is usually necessary to keep the teeth in line and prevent painful spikes and ulcers. Some animals will also need ongoing pain relief if their problems are severe.
We recommend dental checks every 6 months for most pet rabbits as dental disease is such a common problem and more easily treated if detected at an early stage. More frequent checks may be necessary for certain individuals, so if in doubt just ask one of our team for advice.

Ferrets

Ferret teeth are very similar to cats and dogs and consist of Incisors, long canines, premolars and molars. They can suffer from oral and dental problems such as gingivitis, calculus and tooth decay. Ferrets can also fracture their canines often when chewing on hard objects e.g. metal bars from an outdoor enclosure.
To help prevent dental problems, your ferret's teeth should be brushed regularly using a toothbrush designed for cats and dogs and special pet toothpaste. Do not brush your ferret’s teeth with human toothpaste, as this can be harmful.

Small mammal dental issues

Guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus all have constantly growing incisors and cheek teeth similar to rabbits, making them susceptible to much of the same dental issues

Dental disease might not seem the biggest issue for a pet lizard, but can be a common problem for some species.
One recent survey in fact revealed that up to 35% of bearded dragons seen by vets had dental abnormalities.
Teeth in lizards can vary considerably depending on species and feeding habits, but animals can generally be split into two groups; those that have pleurodont dentition such as iguanas and monitor lizards, and those that have acrodont dentition such as bearded dragons, water dragons and chameleons.
Pleurodont teeth are attached to the inner side of the jawbone and are shed and replaced regularly throughout the animal’s life.
Acrodont teeth in contrast are firmly attached to the crest of the jaw bone and are rarely replaced. Consequently, any damage or disease of the teeth can be a serious problem for this latter group of lizards.

What causes reptile dental disease?

It is generally thought to be a disease of captivity associated with inappropriate diets such as too many soft fruits or waxworms.
Long term, these diets appear to result in the development of plaque, subsequent build up of bacteria and then gingivitis and calculus formation not dissimilar to dental disease in humans.
Dental problems may be a consequence of trauma and subsequent infection. Prompt treatment is required in these cases to prevent significant pain and spread of infection.
However, unfortunately, animals may not show signs of a problem so owners are often unaware of the extent of the disease until it reaches a fairly advanced stage.

Prevention of reptile dental disease

This usually involves dietary changes to reduce bacterial build up and increase removal of plaque. Feeding of invertebrates such as crickets and locusts rather than softer mealworms or waxworms has been suggested to help with this, in addition to ensuring that sugary fruits and vegetables are minimised. These dietary changes have the added advantage of helping to prevent weight-related issues such as fatty liver, heart disease and even joint problems. Dental problems are completely preventable in pet lizards and regular dental treatments should not be necessary.
The key is detecting problems at an early stage so that easy adjustments can be made