Cat SUFFER in SILENCE with PAIN & Marshmallow is a PURFECT example !

Marshmallow had an open wound on his chin & needed help with a painful condition affecting his called TOOTH RESORPTION (TR) !

AKA feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), cervical line lesions, neck lesions, feline caries, cervical line erosions or feline cavities the current term, according to the AVDC, is TR. It occurs when odontoclasts destroy the tooth root surfaces by causing the enamel to be resorbed. As the disease progresses, the different layers of the tooth are resorbed & the pulp cavity (the nerve & blood supply) becomes exposed, causing pain ! The resorption continues until the tooth is weakened & fractures.The cause of these lesions is unknown; no one knows why odontoclastic cells begin to resorb the tooth root. All Cat can develop feline TR. In fact it’s 1 of the most common oral conditions seen in cats.

Unfortunately cat usually HIDE symptoms of PAIN ! Feline tooth resorptive lesions are associated with pain, bad breath, mouth sensitivity (dropping food), drooling, tooth fractures, tooth loss, anorexia (inappetance), weight loss. Since these lesions usually start at the gum line, they are often covered with gum tissue or tartar & therefore may be difficult to detect without a thorough oral exam. As the lesions progress you may notice drooling, trouble eating, reluctance to eat or a decrease in appetite & occasionally bloody saliva or swelling around the mouth & jaw.Your vet may identify a feline TR lesion while performing an oral exam during your pet’s check-up or during a dental cleaning. Dental x-rays are necessary to properly evaluate the extent of tooth & tooth root damage & determine the appropriate treatment.Since TR is a progressive disease, extraction is the best option for all affected teeth, even those with mild damage. It is important that people realize these lesions are very painful & simply leaving the affected tooth alone is not an option. Unfortunately there is no known prevention for this disease but the earlier it is identified the better it is for your cat !