The Treatment of Gum Disease in Cats That Are Resistant to Steroid Shots

Gum disease occurs when bacteria and saliva mix to form a hard, crusty substance known as calculus. Calculus adheres to the tooth and eventually spreads to underneath the gums, causing painful inflammation and infection. Gum disease is easily treated, especially when caught early, but can cause major problems if left to advance. Corticosteroids are most often prescribed to reduce inflammation, but cats who are resistant to steroids do have other options.

  1. Cleaning

    • The first step in treating gum disease is a thorough cleaning. The vet will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove the calculus and a scraping tool to remove any remaining plaque film. The cleaning process tends to leave tiny scratches in the tooth enamel that may allow bacteria to take hold, so the vet will polish the teeth to fill in these cracks. This creates a smooth tooth surface that plaque will be unable to adhere to. The vet will probe the gums to find out how deep the infection has penetrated, and may apply a fluoride gel to strengthen the enamel.

    Treatment

    • The vet will probe the gums to find out how deep the infection has penetrated and whether the roots of the teeth are affected. If there is calculus attached to the root, the vet will scrape it off and remove all other diseased tissue under the gum line. Often, there are teeth that are too infected to be saved. These will be removed, as will excess gum tissue that could provide a haven for bacteria.

    Reconstruction

    • If the gums are eroded to the point that the root of the tooth is exposed, the vet will cut a flap from a neighboring tooth and reposition it to create a suitable pocket for the infected tooth. X-rays may show bone loss in very advanced cases of gum disease, and the vet will have to implant a sustained-release sealant and medication that will stimulate bone regeneration.

    Medication

    • Cats that are steroid-resistant still need something to control the dramatic inflammation associated with gum disease. Although corticosteroids are the treatment of choice, in these cases vets prefer to prescribe cyclosporine and monitor the cat's the blood until the correct dose is arrived at. Cyclosporine regulates the immune system's response to the bacteria to reduce the rush of white blood cells to the infected area, reducing swelling. A complementary course of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics works with the cyclosporine to help eradicate the invading bacteria. Topical antibacterial gel also serves as an adjunct therapy.

    Prevention

    • Feeding the cat a diet formulated especially for dental health is an easy way to prevent reoccurrence. These diets usually consist of hard, oversize kibble that the cat is forced to chew, thereby scraping plaque off the teeth before it hardens. Frequent brushing of the cat's teeth with cat-safe toothpaste helps, and a special examination if the mouth at every yearly checkup will help catch problems early. Most vets recommend yearly dental cleanings for otherwise healthy cats, so potential problems can be eliminated before they even begin.