What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Kate Richardson — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 09:27:21 GMT

The mandible is just really curved, more so than normal I would say even for this breed?

Yes still has diarrhoea, awaiting faecal test results.

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 02:10:47 GMT

[quote userid="6386" url="~/f/clinical-questions/30819/what-could-cause-severe-periodontitis-in-a-4m-old-kitten/242956#242956"]Not even sure what teeth are what with some of them!![/quote]

Well that's not unusual at this stage of development

Yes, some of the permanent teeth show pretty advanced bone depth loss. One lower 09 will have to be extracted, probably the other depending upon clinical state.

Very definitely leave the canine teeth well alone for now.

What form does the deformity (see what I did there?) of the jaw take? I mean, what does it look like? Clearly something's gone wrong in this unfortunate cat's development, but what is cause and what effect we may never know.

Is diarrhoea still a problem?

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Kate Richardson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:47:35 GMT

Just weird. Not even sure what teeth are what with some of them!! Extracted 107, 108, 207? 408 as all mobile. Likely to need the lower 09's extracting but he's so teeny I couldn't face that yet. Am I right to allow the canines to do their thing for now? he's going to be back for castration at some stage and poss further extractions as needed. His jaw and the teeth are quite deformed

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Kate Richardson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:44:48 GMT

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 20:01:06 GMT

Well, that's a bit of a relief really, because you now know that if all else fails then total extraction will be curative. But I doubt if you will need total extraction.

It would be good to get some radiogrphs while he's under GA, to see if the permanent teeth are all coming normally.

There's a strong suspicion that such things are genetic, but as far as I know no real evidence (could be wrong about that).

Keep us informed.

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Kate Richardson — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 14:44:26 GMT

Blood work unremarkable, so booked in for GA and further assessment. Interestingly, one of the other kittens they have who has the same father I believe, but different mother, has a similar looking mouth.....so is this genetics or an environmental factor potentially?

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Kate Richardson — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:29:17 GMT

Always good when you guys don't have an immediate answer!! makes me feel better

He's in for bloods including bile acid stim test today and if all ok, will get him in for treatment. Interesting the Vit C deficiency comment, will see if bloods show anything that might suggest this.

Will keep you posted!

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Martin Hamilton — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 14:12:25 GMT

I agree with Evelyn - not a clue if exactly what has caused it. I also agree with his approach.

Periodontal disease is complex, the severity of which depends on both host factors (those of the animal) and microbial factors (those of the plaque biofilm). We do know that the majority of tissue destruction comes from the animals own immune response to the plaque. I suspect that in this case we have a kitten that has unfortunately got some aggressive strains of bacteria/fungi in its plaque biofilm, as well as an overly exuberant immune response. In humans, we do have data that shows poor nutrition (esp Vit C deficiency) and HIV lead to more aggressive periodontal disease, so maybe you'll find something on this kittens bloodwork.

RE: What could cause severe periodontitis in a 4m old kitten?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 19:37:17 GMT

The straight answer to the question you ask is: I don't know. But one does see this phenomenon occasionally.

Your blood tests may provide an answer or a partial answer. But if they don't, or don't suggest an immediate or obvious course of action, my strategy would be: get the best oral hygiene you can by all means possible, until all the deciduous teeth are gone and the permanent teeth well through. Then assess the situation and consider tactical extractions or even total extraction.

Oral hygiene above all, whatever the original cause.