Does your cat seem to be exhibiting pain in or around her mouth? Our feline friends commonly suffer from a unique dental condition called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, or FORLs, which appear at or near the tooth base. Read on to learn more about FORLs and how you can help prevent them.
Although the exact cause is unknown, research has shown that these tooth erosions are not cavities, which are rare in cats. Cells called odontoclasts, which break down the tooth’s substance, are found in these erosions.
More than 70% of cats over age five are estimated to have suffered from at least one FORL. These lesions are more likely to occur with age, but young and senior cats can develop tooth erosions. In mild cases, cats may not display any illness signs until the disease progresses.
Signs of feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions
Cats are excellent at hiding pain, but FORLs can be agony for your pet. Depending on disease severity, you may notice the following signs in your cat:
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Meowing in pain
- Preferring soft food over hard
- Acting hungry, but unable to eat
At the first sign of oral pain, contact your veterinarian.
Diagnosis and treatment of FORLs
Examining a cat’s painful mouth when she is not sedated is challenging, but we can occasionally detect small erosions near the base of affected teeth. A FORL will appear as a small amount of gum tissue that has grown out from the tooth as it became inflamed and attempted to fill in the hole.
FORLs can be accurately diagnosed with dental X-rays, and by probing each tooth while your cat is anesthetized. FORLs create a great deal of pain, and many cats under anesthesia will exhibit a chatter response—a common pain response—when a FORL is probed.
For teeth affected with FORLs, the best treatment is extraction. Resorptive disease erodes the tooth crown, and over time can lead to fracture, leaving the roots behind.
Preventing FORLs in your cat
Since the cause of FORLs is unknown, there are no true preventive measures. Therefore, catching resorptive lesions early by scheduling routine dental-wellness exams, and avoiding build-up of bacteria-laden plaque with daily toothbrushing, are vital.
Questions or concerns? Contact us for assistance.
