Thursday, February 18, 2016

Pet Dental Health Month - Stomatitis


Hi Pals,

Do you notice anything different in that picture above.   Something is missing! Do you know what it is?

If you said "teeth," you are absolutely right.   I had all my toothies pulled due to a disease called Stomatitis.    For a good description of this disease you can see detailed pictures, etc. at http://mypetsdentist.com/feline-stomatitis.pml, which is the site of my dentist.   It is is a nasty disease, and if left untreated, can lead to major health problems.   Our vet lady suggested M get a second opinion from an animal dentist, which we did.   It's a long story and you can read the detailed story at http://www.mariodacat.blogspot.com/p/where-did-my-toothies-go-part-1.html.    The dentist recommended pulling my toothies because in a sense I was allergic to my own toothie decay.   This was drastic at the time, but it ended up being the right decision as I'm a very healthy 10-year-old mancat now.

It's important to have a vet check your mouth at the first sign of trouble.   With me it was red, infected gums.   Several rounds of antibiotics didn't touch the problem.  That's when our lady vet suggested we see an animal dentist.

February is Pet Dental Health Month!   If you have never had your toothies checked, it's a good idea to have a vet take a look at them.   In my case, the dentist felt bad gum disease was probably something I inherited from my parents.    M and D would never have noticed anything, but our lady vet checked me over the day I was adopted and indicated I needed to get my toothies cleaned.   That was the beginning of the long process.

I am so thankful that M and D took me to the vet lady that first day, and that she noticed how bad my mouth looked.    M and D are thankful too because if left untreated, the disease might have killed me.

M heard recently that they have other non-drastic means of treating the disease, and we're hoping that is the case.   By the way, I'm doing just fine without my toothies.   M buys kibble that is smaller in size and mushes my wet food and makes it into a mound so that I can eat easier.   I'm doing great.

So take my advice and have your toothies checked out.

We're joining PepiSmartDog's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.  Join us and meet new pals.  



17 comments:

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Mario we are so glad all of your troubles are long in the past and that you are a very healthy and handsome 10 year old!

Brian's Home Blog said...

You are such a brave boy and a wonderful advocate for dental heath Mario! Hugs from all of us pal1

Erin the Cat Princess said...

Who'd have thought that your teeth could have killed you, very scary. Just shows you must always take time to check. purrs Erin

Lone Star Cats said...

Glad your toothie trubbles are in da past!

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

We're so sorry about your toofies. We're glad to hear you adjusted to life without them. Thanks for the advice.

Ivan from WMD said...

Good advice, Mario. I know you feel a whole lot better now, too!

The Island Cats said...

Mario, we knew that you didn't have any teefs...and we're glad you don't miss them. Thanks for reminding us how important dental health is.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

I'm glad you are so good about telling your story, Mario - it may have been a really bad thing to go through but you're fine now and here to let humans know how important dental health and checkups are for kitties!

pilch92 said...

I am glad you are healthy and just think, you never have to get a dental. :)

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

Glad you are doing grreat without your toothies , Mario !
My mom-person brushes my toothies now and then , she is a bit embarresed she doesn´t do it every night.

XOXO

Fur Everywhere said...

We are sorry you had to have all your teefers pulled, but we are glad that you are doing well today! Lita is due for a dental cleaning soon.

At the shelter I used to volunteer with, there's a cat with stomatitis being treated with Prednisolone. Apparently that is allowing him to keep some of his teeth.

Thanks for sharing your story, Mario!

Team Tabby said...

We are so glad to hear you are feeling much better without your teef. they sure can give us a lot of grief if not looked after.

Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We are having our teefs cleaned Monday!

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

Wow, that was scary to have to do that...but we are happy that you are healthy, and that of course is the best thing of all:)

Anonymous said...

My furry brother who lives with my mother, has lost almost all of his teeth on stomatitis too, Mario. He only has two left, his two fangs, so that made him felt really lucky :) Pawkisses :) <3

Anonymous said...

We's glad you be feelin' good Mario. Sis Lexi dusn't have many teefs left eever, nd she's better wiffout 'em.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

Stomatitis is very painful so you're lucky you got dental care. Better no teeth that chronic pain and other health issues. We blogged about the dental specialist last Monday. Thanks for your comment about font color. Glad it helped.