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Dental and Oral Health Care for Cats Cats have teeth too! Cats are very unique animals Cats are absolutely not small dogs. They act, behave and think differently. We respect their differences. We treat them specially not only because of their unique qualities, but because Dr. Kressin loves cats! Cats are carnivores (meat eaters) and their teeth serve a useful function. Teeth can also create painful problems for cats. You can be assured that cats will try very hard to hide their pain. Many cats tend to hide when they experience pain. Since cat owners don't understand cat language very well, they frequently fail to recognize their cats have pain. Chronic pain is a real shame! We can help with recognition, diagnosis and treatment of painful teeth (such as tooth resorption or fractured teeth) and oral diseases (such as stomatitis). Teeth can be assets (useful and functional) or liabilities (painful). Our goal is to identify teeth that are causing problems and to transform them to useful functional teeth. Extraction (or removal) of teeth are a last resort treatment; however dental extraction may be necessary for some cats. How do we establish a diagnosis? Diagnosis of dental and oral diseases in cats requires historical information, a thorough physical exam including a comprehensive oral exam and a meticulous evaluation under anesthesia. We prefer to use a feline dental chart as a check off list while under anesthesia. Dental radiographs and periodontal probing are performed and notations are mad on the dental chart. The diagnosis and treatment plan are formulated using all of this information. Historical information from the owner with medical information from the family veterinarian (referral form) can be extremely helpful! Incisional or excisional biopsies are submitted to a pathologist to establish a diagnosis for oral tumors or oral disease. It is never beneficial to wait when oral lesions are identified. How do we decide the best treatment? Dental and oral surgery consultations are designed to help determine the best treatment based on an initial oral exam and a discussion of the owners' concerns. Diagnosis is essential for making treatment plan decisions. To establish a diagnosis, dental radiographs with periodontal probing are absolutely necessary. Two thirds of the tooth is below the gumline (gingiva) and is not viewable without dental radiographs. Dental radiographs are of higher detail than general radiographs. This detail allows an accurate diagnosis of dental tissues. Dental radiographs are taken periodically for cats as they are for our own teeth to monitor and identify problems early. When teeth are scaled and polished, the area around the teeth is probed to identify (diagnose) pockets (periodontal). Periodontal pockets are diagnostic for periodontal disease. The best treatment is based on the degree or stage of periodontal disease. Do dogs get stomatitis? Dogs unfortunately also get stomatitis. The condition is often referred to as chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis ( "CUPS" or kissing lesions"). To read additional information see "CUPS".   Felix; sensor placement right side Dental radiograph Digital sensor placed intraorally to obtain a dental radiograph (X-Ray) of a cat's right lower jaw (mandible). In viewing the above photo (left), the gums appear healthy and normal however in viewing the radiograph (right), moderate (stage 2 of 4) periodontal disease is present as well as an extra root for the premolar tooth in the center. This simple illustration demonstrates the inability to make a diagnosis or to establish the optimal treatment for this cat without dental radiographs.  Melissa, a 7 year, female Domestic Shorthair cat with oral discomfort!  Dental radiograph of Melissa while periodontal probing of her inflammed oral tissues. This cat Melissa presented in distress at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee. She was pawing at her face, drooling and crying. In viewing the photo (top photo) the reason for her distress was unclear. In viewing the radiograph (above image), significant abnormalities were diagnosed and appropriate surgical care was provided. Melissa is doing very well today thanks to dental x rays, periodontal probing, appropriate treatment planning and meticulous surgical care.  Felix, photograph of the left side with inflammation and bleeding. Anomalous (abnormal) teeth with severe periodontal disease. This is the same patient as shown above with the extra tooth root and moderate periodontal disease.  Felix; left side. Severe (stage 4 of 4) periodontal disease is associated with the anomalous tooth. Home |
Formerly the Animal Dental Center of Milwaukee/Oshkosh
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Please view our brochure with one of the links below:
AVDC_Brochure.pdf
or AVDC Brochure.doc
(WVMA since 1983)
Member of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC)
Member of the International Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD)
Member of the American Veterinary Dental Society(AVDS)
Member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MnVMA)
Member of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Kressin is an elected member of WVMA Executive Board
Member of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association
Member of the Northeast Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Member of NEWVMA board as the District 3 WVMA representative
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Animal Dentistry & Oral Surgery Specialists LLC
Caring: Cat dentist-Dog dentist Vet dental and oral surgery services
Dale Kressin DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC & Steve Honzelka DVM, Resident 888-598-6684
Oshkosh Milwaukee Waukesha Minneapolis and St Paul Metropolitan areas
2011 Copyright Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialists, LLC; All Rights Reserved