My cat has gingivitis. Is her back tooth problem serious or painful?

I'm very sorry to hear about Taiga, this is a horrible condition. With the combination of gingivitis extending into the pharynx, it sounds like your vet has diagnosed what we would know as gingivostomatitis in the UK. Which basically means the mouth as well as the gums gets horribly inflamed, ulcerated and sore. It is a tricky condition to treat but very much needs to be tackled head on as it is so painful. It would be a great idea to get your vet to run bloods first as a general health check for possible complicating factors thsy could effect treatment options, also an FIV FELV panel would be useful. Regarding treatment the key is to reduce the bacteria in the mouth and try and suppress the immune system. Various drugs combined with oral rinsing can help to achieve this, however results can be unsatisfactory and any benefit is temporary. You could certainly try and see how well Taiga responds. The other option for severe gingivostomatitis is full extraction of the teeth as you mention. Although it sounds extreme once the teeth are fully removed the mouth heals and there is no more inflammation as the source is gone. I would strongly recommend approaching a vet with extensive experience in feline dentistry as it is imperative that all teeth are removed fully. This may end up being the best option, but in the mean time bloods and meds will help. I hope you find a comfortable solution for Taiga.

I am sorry to hear that Sweety has a painful mouth. Unfortunately, gingivitis/stomatitis in cats can be very severe and quite debilitating. It can be made even worse in cats that have other immune issues, such as allergies or FeLV/FIV infections. Antibiotics and immune-suppressive medications can be used in mild cases. Thorough dental cleaning will help many of these cases more than just medical treatment. However, many cats will need all or most of their teeth pulled to ease the pain. The pain and inflammation is caused by an immune reaction to the tartar. Since we can't completely prevent tartar build up on the teeth, often removing the teeth is our only option. Obviously this is quite a bit more expensive than a simple teeth cleaning. I recommend discussing your options with the veterinarian that has treated Sweety as far as medications or financing for the dental cleaning. Here is some more information that you may find helpful: https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-smart-solutions-for-pet-care-financing/ http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=170

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tora. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He will need to be anesthetized to have his mouth properly evaluated. The gingivitis present along his gumline is significant and there is a chance that tooth would need to be extracted. This can only be determined under anesthesia. His mouth is likely painful which could be why he bit you. Brushing is great once the mouth is cleaned and the gumline is healthy again. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Jackie. If she has gingivitis or redness along her gum margins, she should go under anesthesia to have her teeth professional cleaned. Red gums indicate an infection in the mouth. This is actually more problematic than tartar accumulating on the teeth. Gingivitis leads to bad breath and a destruction of the attachment of the teeth. If left untreated, this can lead to chronic pain in the mouth and the eventual loss of teeth. As far as at home care, I like Maxiguard Gel as it is easier than brushing a cat's teeth. You want to look for products with the VOHC seal as these are approved for use by veterinary dentists. These products can really make a big difference for Jackie's oral health and her overall quality of life. I hope this information helps!

From this picture the level of plaque does not justify the gingivitis, as there is not much plaque on Mimi's teeth. So it could be that the nature of gingivitis is viral, or it could be just immuno-mediated. Further testing is required to understand if the cause is a virus. If these test are not available, then symptomatical treatment is advisable. Flagyl is an antibiotics that we commonly use for gastro-intestinal bacteria so perhaps I would consider a different antibiotic with a broader spectrum.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chanel. She appears to have advanced periodontal disease. Her teeth have both tartar on them as well as a very inflamed gumline. She will need to see her veterinarian to be anesthetized for a dental cleaning. There is most likely an infection in her mouth that is painful to her. Cleaning not only the teeth, but under the gumline is very important. It will keep her healthier and happier. I hope this information helps!

The medications should have an effect within a week or so but response is variable. Gingivitis can be complicated in cats as it can have an autoimmune component. Special foods can help with the condition and daily tooth brushing with pet toothpaste will help the most if Chibi will allow it. Some cats may eventually need all the teeth removed. Hopefully Chibi’s is not that serious and I hope she responds quickly to treatment. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.