Questions About Feline Tooth Resorption (pic)

My cat has a dental specialist appointment in April to figure out what's going on with her mouth. We adopted her almost a year ago and she's had problems since then. We tried to treat her more life-threatening problems first which we did successfully treat. Now she's completely healthy other than the gums. The first vet said it looked like stomatitis. Second said it doesn't look like stomatitis because there's no swelling in the back of the mouth -- just the tiny front incisors. We were then referred to a specialist to figure it out. She eats well and washes herself but does drool sometimes, has stinky breath, and of course the redness and inflammation.

A friend said this looks like resorption to her since there's basically no little front teeth left. But, if it is, I looked it up and it looks like it might be stage 5. I know in the early stages the teeth are removed but what happens at stage 5 when the gum is completely over the teeth like this? Is there any treatment or does she just have to tough out the pain forever? Here's a picture. The top incisors are red but the gums on the top incisors aren't swollen over her teeth.

Hi. Sorry, I have no experience with this, but I do know some other members have had. Here is one thread (very small posting) that I found on this site, one of the members involved who is still active on this site is stephanietx . Perhaps, she will be on this site today and can give you her first hand knowledge with resorption.

My experience with dentals and FORL (resorptive lesions)

I also believe that daftcat75 has experience with this, and he is generally on this site daily, so another member that will hopefully come across your post and have some insight to give you!!

I am sure there are other members as well, just be patient and you will likely hear from them soon!

FeebysOwner said:

Hi. Sorry, I have no experience with this, but I do know some other members have had. Here is one thread (very small posting) that I found on this site, one of the members involved who is still active on this site is stephanietx . Perhaps, she will be on this site today and can give you her first hand knowledge with resorption.

My experience with dentals and FORL (resorptive lesions)

I also believe that daftcat75 has experience with this, and he is generally on this site daily, so another member that will hopefully come across your post and have some insight to give you!!

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Thank you so much! That link is a big help and I'll read through the material.

I found some more threads on this site as well - here is a link with a page of different posts.

Search Results for Query: FORL | TheCatSite

For as many times as I've taken Krista in for this, I don't actually know that much about the mechanics or what it looks like. I just have a feeling these days for when Krista is not eating because her mouth hurts. I believe that if there is any tooth left, even root fragments below the gum line, then they can cut her gum open, remove the fragments, and suture it back up again. I believe that's what was just recently done for Krista. Your kitty will be fine. Cats heal remarkably quick from this. Whatever pain medicine you are sent home with, just be proactive about it and give it according to Dr's orders no matter how much fuss she gives you or you believe she doesn't need it. She will need it, and it's better if she just never realizes she needs it because you followed the dosing schedule.

I would get her to the vet now. Resorption is very painful and uncomfortable for your kitty. When I took Hannah in, she ended up having 2 teeth extracted and a good dental cleaning. She has feline herpes, so is a bit prone to dental issues. After her dental, she felt better in about 3 days. It was like having a different kitty.

The difference extractions have made for my Krista is so dramatic that the last time, two days ago, I said take as much as you safely can. Get proactive. I could barely get her to finish 3 oz of junk food (low calorie tuna) before the procedure. Now she’s eating six to seven ounces a day again. And that’s just one day out from the latest extractions (a couple of root fragments.) If we can catch a few good months, I plan to take her to a specialist this summer to make a plan for her remaining teeth so we don’t have to keep going through this as they go bad.

I really hadn't noticed much of a change with Hannah except she hadn't been eating much and had become more reclusive than normal. After her extractions, the change was so obvious that I really felt bad for not noticing sooner. She was socializing and spending time with the family again. She's still doing great.

Before the extractions, it's very subtle. They develop texture preferences, then they stop eating altogether. But afterwards, you realize a few other behaviors including energy level pick back up again when they're feeling well. I just watched Krista play with a catnip mouse for the first time in weeks.

stephanietx said:

I would get her to the vet now. Resorption is very painful and uncomfortable for your kitty. When I took Hannah in, she ended up having 2 teeth extracted and a good dental cleaning. She has feline herpes, so is a bit prone to dental issues. After her dental, she felt better in about 3 days. It was like having a different kitty.

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The problem is that she also has a heart murmur and my vet is not comfortable doing any surgery unless we see a specialist. The only time she can be seen by the closest dental and internal specialist (and that's 4 hours away) is in early April. She does have pain control at home (gabapentin) but hasn't needed it much. I give it if I noticed she's in pain. Her drooling has become less and she eats (voraciously) and grooms normally. I don't doubt she's in pain, but I also don't trust anyone other than a specialist with her. She will have a heart ultrasound, blood work, and a sinus CT (chronic stuffiness) before the surgery. She does see my home vet every 2-3 weeks for check ups and to make sure everything is going ok, though.