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From: jhs@druri.UUCP (ShoreJ)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: teeth cleaning question
Message-ID: <1096@druri.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Jun-85 12:25:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: druri.1096
Posted: Tue Jun  4 12:25:21 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Jun-85 03:26:05 EDT
References: <1407@vax3.fluke.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
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I, too, thought that dry food for cats was adequate for keeping
their choppers clean. However, during a post-battle examination at 
an emergency clinic, the vet found bleeding around my cat's gums
and suggested I do a follow-up with my regular vet.

As it turns out, it's the calculus (a hard mineral buildup or
"abnormal concretion of mineral salts") around the base of the
teeth that is the problem. This buildup, most commonly around the
molars, can result in gum irritation, gum infection, loosening of/loss 
of teeth, and possible systemic infections (more or less in that order).
Decay is less of a problem, but is always possible dependent on diet, 
etc.  Cleaning by the vet (or the vet's technician) runs around $20
and often requires anesthesia (for the cat; queasy owner's tranqs
are optional. :-)). However, it is a minor procedure and is normally
a one-day in/out process.

According to my vet, the teeth should be examined during routine
annual shots/checkup. [There's no reason why you can't check
from time to time, too. Look for discolored teeth, swollen and/or
abnormal gums (they should be pink and firm), blood/pus around the 
base of the molars, loose or missing teeth; checking for bad breath
is optional. A common indicator that there may be problems is when
the cat has difficulty eating, especially hard, dry food. This may
seem obvious, but many people tend to overlook this and attribute it
to "finicky" eaters.] Then, the teeth should be cleaned only if 
necessary. Gradual buildup is normal but should not be allowed to 
increase to the point where problems set in. Oh, he did note that 
brushing would really help--if anyone could ever convince a cat to 
tolerate an indignity of that proportion.

Hope this helps. -- Jeff Shore