11mo Old Kitten Chewing/teething?

[qtpidani]

I added a stray kitten to my family back in August. We are guessing she is roughly 11 months old now. From everything I've read, teething should be done and she should have all her adult teeth, however, she is always trying to "chew" on things, back towards her molars. Her vet hasn't seen anything odd with her mouth or teeth. She has a hard time eating dry food and minced wet (it falls out of her mouth and she "slobbers" when trying to eat dry). She doesn't have an issue with her Quest raw beef and doesn't like pate formulas. Her breath is a little stinky, and she does have some tartar buildup towards her back molars and red gums (guessing she has Juvenile-onset gingivitis). She also loves to chew on grass, which I don't think is due to her having an upset tummy, because she ALWAYS chews on grass (I think it may have to do with her being a stray and trying to fend for herself outside? but not sure...)

I have the enzyme toothpaste (she's not the most cooperative...but I try!) and I let her chew on a toothbrush. I've tried the enzyme water additive, but none of the cats will drink the water when I add it.

Could her chewing and eating issues be just from the gingivitis, or is there something else I could be missing? I have asked the vet about Stomatitis, but he thought it was premature to consider that just yet.

 

[verna davies]

Are you able to post a photo of her gums. It does sound like a tooth/gum issue to me. As well as brushing you could put some toothpaste on a damp cotton bud and gently rub it on her gums at the back of her mouth. Has yoyr vet checked for resorption

Feline Tooth Resorption - Cat Dental Resorption - Cat Dentist - Minnesota, Wisconsin

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
It sounds like that to me too.
The difficulty eating, and slobbering makes me think it might be worth seeing a different vet, if possible?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

You may want a second opinion, from a feline specialist, if your own vet is not one. You can find one here, if you are in the USA:
AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

The search is by zip code, but be sure to select "Feline Only," not "Feline Friendly."

This was my search for cat dentists, and is a search engine, as well:
Veterinarians.com

 

[qtpidani]

Here are a couple pictures of her teeth...ignore the white stuff on her mouth, that is the toothpaste that she tried spitting out. A couple are a touch blurry -- she's not the most cooperative. She's such a cute stinker!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Those gums look like there may well be some gingevitis. I'd have a pet dentist take a look at her before she starts losing teeth.

 

[qtpidani]

The vet did not mention resorption to me, and I will read that link posted about it.

The last time my vet saw her was the middle of December, at a re-check for her ear mites, but he did look at her mouth and gums and didn't have concerns, aside from the red gums.

I am open to seeing a feline specialist....I am a bit "insane" about who I let treat my furkids and the vet I use is the owner of the clinic and has been treating my animals for over 19 years. I've tried going to other practices, but I'm never happy and realize how much I love my current vet.

Aggie does manage to eat just fine, she's a little porky However, my concern is that there is something more going on that is not being treated and I'd rather catch it early enough before it turns into something even more significant of a problem.

 

[qtpidani]

Those gums look like there may well be some gingevitis. I'd have a pet dentist take a look at her before she starts losing teeth.

Is it normal that a kitten gets gingivitis? Her gums have always looked like that, at least ever since I took her in and we guessed her to be about 12 weeks when I found her running around in front of my house.

 

[qtpidani]

Here is a video of her eating, but it's from the end of September (hopefully this works)

And it didn't....it keeps reverting to random Youtube videos so I removed the link.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

The video didn't post.

It isn't usual, but not unheard of, either. A good veterinary dentist will know exactly what is going on, and how to fix it!

 

[verna davies]

I have a young cat with gingivitis, she's had it since she is 5 months old but gives her no problems and looks much like cats gums. I would ask your vet if maybe a dental cleaning might help. Your cat is young so the sooner she had the right help the better.

 

[Furballsmom]

Can you get her more active, regarding her physical condition?
Can you try something here?

7 Proven Ways To Get Your Cat To Be More Active

How To Choose The Best Toy For Your Cat

19 Best Interactive Cat Toys: Your Ultimate List (2019) | Heavy.com

Home - the Ripple Rug

Food Puzzles for Cats

How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats)

 

[qtpidani]

She's definitely active.... I hear her chasing the older boys all through the house at night I probably exaggerate on the porker part. She has short legs so her belly looks porky. She's about 11lbs.

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[epona]

Those gums look very sore tbh, I have 3 cats, all of whom have had tooth and gum problems at one point or another, they are all getting on a bit in years now (Radar just had a load of teeth out on Tuesday - he has Feline Tooth Resorption so had to have all his molars and pre-molars out).

Be aware that gingivitis like that can be painful, and it can also result in strain on the rest of the body (especially the heart and kidneys) due to the bacterial load in the infected gums, so it does require vet treatment, sooner rather than later.

 

[qtpidani]

Those gums look very sore tbh, I have 3 cats, all of whom have had tooth and gum problems at one point or another (Radar just had a load of teeth out on Tuesday - he has Feline Tooth Resorption so had to have all his molars and pre-molars out).

Be aware that gingivitis like that can be painful, and it can also result in strain on the rest of the body (especially the heart and kidneys) due to the bacterial load in the infected gums

I'm going to be more diligent about brushing her teeth, and I also sent a message to a friend that works at a different vet, to find out who to see at the clinic where she works.

My vet is pretty awesome, and I'm a bit surprised he didn't have more of an issue with how her gums looked. I don't know if it was maybe because she is so young and he thought it would self-correct?

 

[qtpidani]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and suggestions. I have an appointment on Tuesday for a second opinion with a local vet that has furthered her education with the dental aspect of veterinary medicine.

My gut tells me there is more going on with her back molars than just the red gums so hopefully, the doctor can get to the bottom of everything and we get the issue(s) fixed before it gets worse.

 

[Furballsmom]

Let us know what they say, we'll be thinking about you

 

[verna davies]

Hope the vet can quickly sort it out. Please keep us updated.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Goodness, yes, let us know. We fret.