Post by Karen R Quinn on Aug 14, 2009 18:03:52 GMT -7
A critical part of a dental care program for cats is routine at-home examination of his teeth and gum's. Here are tips for making it easy on both of you.
Time Required: 1-2 minutes 2-3 times monthly
Here's How:
1. Smell your cat's breath. An unpleasant odor can indicate infection of the gum's and/or bone. After eliminating dental problems, check with your vet for other causes.
2. While quietly talking to your cat, from his back side, tip his head back slightly.
3. Make sure you have a adequate lighting available. Using your thumb and index finger, spread the side of his mouth open.
4. Look at his back teeth for yellowing (plaque) or darker material (tartar). Check for cracked or broken teeth. Observe the color of the gum's - they should be a healthy pink, not really red (could mean inflammation) or a pale pink.
5. Repeat step 4 with the front teeth, then move to the other side of the mouth.
6. Look into the back of the cat's throat for redness, especially "cobblestone" in appearance. This is a sign of stomatitis, a serious and painful condition usually found in older cats. An angled dental mirror will help here.
7. If at any time your cat fights your attention, give it up and try another day.
8. Reward your cat with a treat. A dental chew would be an excellent choice.
9. Once you and your cat are comfortable with this procedure, make it a regular practice, at least once a month.
10. Follow up with a veterinary exam once a year, or twice a year if your cat has previous dental problems, or other health issues.
Tips:
1. It may be easier to have a partner hold the cat's mouth open while you examine the oral cavity.
2. Choose a comfortable spot with good lighting. A penlight would be an asset.
What You Need:
* Penlight
* Angled Dental Mirror
* Dental Chew Reward
Time Required: 1-2 minutes 2-3 times monthly
Here's How:
1. Smell your cat's breath. An unpleasant odor can indicate infection of the gum's and/or bone. After eliminating dental problems, check with your vet for other causes.
2. While quietly talking to your cat, from his back side, tip his head back slightly.
3. Make sure you have a adequate lighting available. Using your thumb and index finger, spread the side of his mouth open.
4. Look at his back teeth for yellowing (plaque) or darker material (tartar). Check for cracked or broken teeth. Observe the color of the gum's - they should be a healthy pink, not really red (could mean inflammation) or a pale pink.
5. Repeat step 4 with the front teeth, then move to the other side of the mouth.
6. Look into the back of the cat's throat for redness, especially "cobblestone" in appearance. This is a sign of stomatitis, a serious and painful condition usually found in older cats. An angled dental mirror will help here.
7. If at any time your cat fights your attention, give it up and try another day.
8. Reward your cat with a treat. A dental chew would be an excellent choice.
9. Once you and your cat are comfortable with this procedure, make it a regular practice, at least once a month.
10. Follow up with a veterinary exam once a year, or twice a year if your cat has previous dental problems, or other health issues.
Tips:
1. It may be easier to have a partner hold the cat's mouth open while you examine the oral cavity.
2. Choose a comfortable spot with good lighting. A penlight would be an asset.
What You Need:
* Penlight
* Angled Dental Mirror
* Dental Chew Reward