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Oct 26, 2016 · Drain & Clean. The first step in treating a cat with a dental abscess is to sedate it (possibly with general anesthesia), and lance the abscess to drain out all of the pus. The cavity will then be thoroughly cleaned. Antibiotics may be injected at this time to curb infection. Extraction.
- What Is A Tooth Root Abscess?
- What Causes A Tooth Root Abscess?
- What Is The Most Common Location For A Tooth Root Abscess in Cats?
- What Is A Slab Fracture?
- Are There Any Obvious Symptoms When A Cat Has A Tooth Root Abscess?
- How Is A Tooth Root Abscess Diagnosed?
- What Is The Treatment For A Tooth Root Abscess?
Fig. 1: X-ray of a cat's jaw showing an abscessed lower canine root (shadow below tooth is infection).A tooth root abscess is a severe infection that develops around the root of a tooth. It usually occurs because of bacteria entering through a broken or traumatized tooth.
A tooth root abscess forms when bacteria enter the exposed root canal of the tooth. The crown of a healthy tooth is covered by enamel, which is essentially impervious, preventing bacteria from entering the tooth. Under the enamel is a different dental hard tissue known as dentin. Dentin contains 300 to 400,000 small openings (tubules) that communic...
Fig. 2: Cat's upper fourth molar, showing a slab fracture.Any tooth can fracture, but the most commonly fractured teeth are the large upper and lower canine teeth, followed by the upper fourth premolars. As a result, these teeth are most likely to develop a tooth root abscess. The maxillary (upper) fourth premolars in conjunction with the lower (ma...
A slab fracture develops when a cat's cheek teeth bite down onto a hard object at just the right angle and a portion of the tooth surface breaks off, exposing the underlying sensitive dentin and possibly even the pulp. The slab that breaks off may be a small chip or a large piece of the tooth and the fractured portion may extend below the gum (ging...
Abscessed teeth are very painful, but cats may not show obvious signs of pain. Instead, your cat may be reluctant to chew on toys or might pull away when their head is touched. An observant owner may notice that their cat is only eating or chewing on one side of their mouth or is dropping food when eating. Some cats will have bad breath, while othe...
In some cases, the diagnosis of a tooth root abscess is simple, such as when there is an obvious slab fracture or damage to a tooth that is accompanied by discharge. However, intraoral dental X-rays (radiographs) are required to definitively diagnose a tooth root abscess.
Fig. 3: Cat's lower canine is fractured, with nerve exposed.A tooth root abscess is a very painful condition and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Antibiotics will be prescribed to control the infection and anti-inflammatory and/or pain relief medication will be prescribed as well. Although this medical treatment will deal with the symptoms,...
Jan 25, 2022 · How Veterinarians Diagnose a Cat Tooth Abscess. Your vet may suspect a cat tooth abscess if there is a fractured tooth, facial swelling, or a draining sore on the gumline. To make the diagnosis, the vet will put your cat under anesthesia to perform a tooth-by-tooth exam of the whole mouth and take X-rays of each tooth above and below the gumline.
- How do I know if my cat has a tooth abscess?If your cat has a tooth abscess, you may notice a swelling suddenly developing on her cheeks or chin. These swellings can drain blood-tinged or pus...
- Can a cat tooth abscess heal on its own?Unfortunately, a cat tooth abscess cannot heal until the dead tooth is removed by your vet.
- How can I treat cat tooth abscess at home?A tooth abscess requires veterinary care and cannot be treated at home. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to keep your cat com...
Apr 17, 2023 · Cat Tooth Abscess Symptoms. Cats are masters at hiding signs of illness or discomfort; however, if your cat has a tooth root abscess, you may notice the following clinical signs: Mouth pain – For example, pawing or rubbing at the mouth, difficulty chewing, chewing on one side of the mouth, preferring soft food over kibble, dropping food when ...
- Can a cat tooth abscess heal on its own?No, a tooth root abscess will not heal on its own and will continue to get worse. Not only is there a risk of infection spreading elsewhere in the...
- Is a cat tooth abscess an emergency?While not technically an emergency, the pain and infection associated with this condition make prompt treatment critical. Your vet may start treati...
- What happens if a cat tooth abscess goes untreated?If left untreated long-term, infection from a tooth root abscess may spread to the rest of the body, affecting major organs and leading to severe i...
May 3, 2020 · A tooth or dental abscess in cats is one of the most common types, especially of those which appear in the mouth. As a tooth abscess in cats occurs in the mouth, you may not be aware there is a problem until the symptoms become more acute. We don't always look directly into our cat's mouth and, if we do, we might need to take a very close look ...
People also ask
How do I know if my cat has a tooth abscess?
What is a tooth abscess in cats?
Are tooth root abscesses painful for cats?
May 17, 2023 · Key takeaways. Dental abscesses in cats are severe infections around the root of a tooth caused by bacteria entering the pulp cavity, usually through tooth injury and dental decay. The pocket of infection around the tooth root often opens and drains, either along the gumline or through the skin of the face. Dental abscesses may be asymptomatic ...
Nov 4, 2015 · An abscess happens when bacteria gain access to the deeper structures of the tooth, where the local environment can be ideal for bacterial growth. The infection causes inflammation and starts to erode the tooth structures. As they would be for you, tooth root abscesses are painful for cats. They require treatment from your veterinarian — and ...
