Cat With Tooth Reabsorption, Potential Oral Cancer - Your Thoughts?

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REBA Deba Doo

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Greetings from Ottawa, Canada

Would appreciate your analysis.

My two vets and dental specialist do not really know what is wrong with my beloved cat Reba. They all say Reba does not profile normal on anything.

What is currently on the table is:

· Spinning

· Confirmed tooth reabsorption

· Jaw grinding, mouth jawing

· Wondering about feline stomatitis

· Potential oral cancer

Fur child Reba is a 9 year old medium long hair pastel calico. Was found lost in the woods when 8 weeks old. I have been her human mother all her life. Reba has wanted for nothing.

Reba has a “deformed vault” in her head, confirmed by MRI. She has done epileptic spins (head bent to left side of body, biting side, spinning to the left in a rapid spin). Most of the time she comes out of it well. Sometimes a day or two to return to normal.

Two months ago she had the worst spins of her life over total of 4 days. That settled together with aid of sedation. Two weeks Reba was back to normal.

Then she suddenly started to “jaw” – her head bent to right side, “sawing” jaw up and down on right side, shaking head from side to side, some pawing to face. This was new to Reba.

Vet confirmed the last tooth on the lower right jaw line, was tooth reabsorption, clear on x-ray. Just behind the tooth against the jaw was an inflamed, ulcer like, area. The tooth was extracted cleanly with no residue. A piece of the inflamed area was also removed and placed in solution for future analysis. Vet confirmed no evidence of oral cancer on visual inspection and x-ray. All Reba’s teeth were cleaned and x-ray indicated no further tooth reabsorption.

Unfortunately Reba kept “jawing” despite two pain killers and even after stitches dissolved. Back to vet who confirmed that the corresponding upper tooth was puncturing the previous extraction area. Off to feline dental specialist in Montreal, who extracted two upper teeth. She also removed the ulcer like area and confirmed no visual evidence of oral cancer.

Unfortunately, even with morphine shots, Reba’s “jawing” kept getting worse. Reba’s food is pureed even then after she eats a bit, she starts to “jaw”. When she yawns, she “jaws”.

To vet yesterday who said where the previous ulcer site is, it is a bit red and swollen. This is the right side where the majority of the “jawing” is most pronounced. The vet was out of explanations other than oral cancer. Sent the previous specimen for biopsy. Reba does not present with any of the typical symptoms of oral cancer.

Three vets have examined tissue from this area and none of them have expressed alarm. Oral cancer is usually fast spreading, nothing much has changed in Reba’s jaw.

As the fur mother, I am upset. So I did more research and learned that feline stomatitis is linked to tooth reabsorption; both conditions are very painful. The stomatitis is an autoimmune situation involving inflammation. Sent this idea to vet who called this morning and agreed to pursue this angle as she has some, but not all, symptoms of this conditions. This afternoon, Reba started her anti-inflammatory. Thankfully, my vets are very open minded and curious and will pursue all ideas.

The spin to today = 2 months. It is really hard on Reba and her fur parents.

I believe that “many hands/brains make light work” – so may I ask you to share your analysis as to what is happening to by most beloved Reba Deba Do?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you kindly.
 

denice

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Poor girl. I did have a cat with the reabsorption issue, luckily it didn't get too out of hand but he had some teeth removed. Since you took her to a dental specialist I am assuming he took full mouth x-rays, reabsorption usually starts in the roots so a tooth is in bad shape and painful before anything is visible. Hopefully the anti-inflammatory will help. Since a multiple biopsies have been done and two vets have said it didn't look like cancer I think you are in the clear there. I think it is probably something autoimmune in nature. Autoimmune stuff often doesn't present in a typical way.
 

Mamanyt1953

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Dang. This is a puzzle. There is so much going on with Reba, isn't there? I have a couple of thoughts that are just that..."I wonder if" sorts of things. First, I wonder if it is possible that the jawing is related, at least in part, to her abnormal vault...perhaps a type of localize seizure? I'm not even sure that's a thing, but worth asking about.

I'm happy to hear that this does NOT appear to be oral cancer. You might want to consult a feline oncologist just to rule this out definitively for your own peace of mind...if the budget allows.

Stomatitis is miserable, but often responds well to treatment. GOOD JOB on your research, and kudos to your vet for actually listening!

PLEASE give us updates on how Reba is doing. Once you have posted here, in some small way you cat become our cat, as well, and we fret.

You are very, very welcome here at TCS. When you have a minute, please go here New Cats on the Block and introduce you and Reba to our community.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
 

Graceful-Lily

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I'm sorry you and your fur baby have to go through all of this. I don't think I can help much but I'd just like to add that I have experience with resorption (Felix - my cat has it). It didn't always present itself in x-rays. I could tell just by looking at his teeth.

They appeared more pink in some spots and with little pieces missing just at the gumline. Vets can over look this (as mine did twice). Yet, the x-rays showed those teeth to be perfectly fine. So, it helps to have a vet with a good eye for that sort of thing.
 

neely

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Welcome to TCS! :wave3: Although I'm sorry Reba's ongoing health problems are what brought you here.

First, I wonder if it is possible that the jawing is related, at least in part, to her abnormal vault...perhaps a type of localize seizure?
:yeah: I thought the same thing.

I wonder if she could benefit from seeing a neurology specialist, perhaps in Montreal if there is not one in your area. I think the additional expertise might help diagnose her problem.

Sending special thoughts and good vibes to both Reba and you. :vibes::vibes:
Please keep us updated on her progress.
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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Welcome to TCS! :wave3: Although I'm sorry Reba's ongoing health problems are what brought you here.



:yeah: I thought the same thing.

I wonder if she could benefit from seeing a neurology specialist, perhaps in Montreal if there is not one in your area. I think the additional expertise might help diagnose her problem.

Sending special thoughts and good vibes to both Reba and you. :vibes::vibes:
Please keep us updated on her progress.
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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Hello there.

Reba Deba Do thanks you.

I have just posted on the New Cats on the Block - you will love it.

All your comments are most welcome and helpful.

We are awaiting a pathologists assessment of the subject tissue area. Will know in 4 days or so.

The vets are also interested in any potential link to Reba's neurological situation due to her spinning.

I find it interesting that the lesion and the absorptive tooth share the same geography, humm.

I am blessed with real good vets that are open to activist owners and are willing to try anything, they are not beholding to the normal range of blood tests etc - like far too many human and pet doctors.

Will keep you all informed.

Bless each of you and your dearest fur children.

Many hands/brains make light work.
 

1 bruce 1

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Hello R REBA Deba Doo
I can only offer half a brain :lol: But I agree with the others that I would be curious if this jaw movement has something to do with her neurological condition. It can be rough playing connect the dots.
Has she shown any signs of digestive upset (drooling, lip licking, occasional vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)?
Out of curiosity, do you by any chance have a video of her jawing?
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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Thank you everyone.

We are beside ourselves.

Reba is complicated for sure.

I do have a video.

Trouble uploading the file.

Will get back to you shortly with a smaller file.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Bless you all

Reba's Momma
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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It is Reba's mother again.

Attached are pictures, they are not great cause Reba is violently moving.

Tried to upload a video, no success.

Thanks for all the analysis - really helps!

* Reba "jaws" almost every time she eats - she is eating smoothed kibbles so it is not hard
* She also "jaws" at random times
* No digestive upset, no drooling (a sign of oral cancer), sometimes she ejects some food from her mouth when she "jaws", no real lip licking
* She is doing most of her normal things with a good level of energy
* Appetite ok not what it was but she wants to eat
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* Reba has had a slight increase in her asthma bouts - she croutches down and coughs, it is rather like trying to have fur balls

We started her on an anti anti inflammatory on Friday - Reba seemed to perk up shortly thereafter and the frequency of the "jawing" seems to be a tad less.

Interesting that many of you kind folks are pointing to the neurological option - we are going to ask our vet to prescribe a med to "break the cycle". When Reba got into her 4 day spin session, the vet prescribed a med that immediately stopped the spinning. She has not spun since that we know of.

Any further analysis based on the video and the above would be great.

Thanks from Reba Deba Doo's mother (staff)
 

denice

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Is her mouth really open on the side in the first picture? If it is then I think it is neurological in nature. When a cat does the teeth grinding thing from nausea or dental issues their mouth isn't open like that.
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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Hi denice:

Yes, Reba has her mouth open often during the back and forth - head side to side shaking. She often makes sounds and rears up and shakes her head.

It is almost 100% after she eats - but it can happen at any time.

Her head is usually bent to the right (the side the dental work was done on), but she does shake her head to the left as well.

Reba is active, plays with her toys and is doing most of her normal stuff - so she can't be in pain - this is really werid!

Reba Deba Doo's human mom (servant)
 

Jewely

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My boy did something similar to what you’re describing. It started off like a yawn, then a head shake to one side and his jaw would chatter, or vibrate as he was yawning, but no sound came out. It would happen after eating and at other times. It was so hard to describe!

He also had bad breath, so I knew we were going to have to take him in to get a dental. This all started happening around two years ago when we were dealing with his very sick brother (not his litter mate, whom we had to make the the difficult decision to say goodbye).

He never stopped playing or even eating his hard kibble. We took him in to get a dental and it turned out he had several bad teeth that needed to come out.

I felt so guilty. He hid his pain so well. He had the dental nearly two years ago and no problems since. He’s my avatar and is 9 years old.

I hope you can get to the bottom of this. If you can upload a video, I’ll be able to tell if it’s the same or similar. I couldn’t find anything anywhere like what he was doing.
 
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REBA Deba Doo

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Greetings Jewely!

Thanks for your advice.

Having trouble uploading video, I have a IPhone 9 - but this site seems to not allow my MP4 file "not allowed extension". Yikes, my vido is from the world's best selling phone. I have posted in the technical area to ask advice.

Reba Deba Doo had 1 tooth removed (lower right last tooth before jaw) for tooth reabsorption as well as the upper tooth, cause it was long and hitting the gum line where the lower tooth was removed.

Entire jaw and teeth xrayed and teeth cleaned. A feline dental specialist did the work. So thinking not likely dental at this point.

Reba ***** her head to the right (the side of the dental work) and jaws and jaws her cheek, shakes her head, her mouth can be open during this. Reba makes all sorts of sounds. Often you can hear an elastic like sound as she grinds.

Options so far, dental, oral cancer (awaiting biopsy) and neurological.

We are now leaning towards neurological because the "jawing" started after a big bout of spinning (epileptic like with Reba biting her side and spinning at a fast rate).

All Reba's blood work was fine, thyroid fine.

Very, very frustrating. We do not think she is in pain because she is eating and doing her normal things.

Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.

Reba Deba Doo's momma (staff)
 

denice

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Now that I see the video I am going back to something dental in nature. It's a bit extreme but I think it is dental. I know you said you went to a dental specialist but I would take her back for another exam. It is easy for anyone no matter how good they are at what they do to miss something.
 
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