Did you know that kidney disease is the #1 cause of death in cats over 10? It’s long been
suspected that periodontal disease—dental disease—can eventually cause issues with internal
organs as bacteria from the disease travels from the mouth to other areas of the body. Now, the
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association is reporting the results of an 11-year
study that shows a strong association between advanced periodontal (dental) disease and the
incidence of feline kidney disease.
The study collected data from over 169,000 cats, and the findings support the benefit of
maintaining your cat’s oral health to help stave off kidney disease.
At Aztec Animal Clinic, we take dental care very seriously and a careful examination of the mouth is an important part of cats’ yearly wellness care. Proper management of periodontal disease requires at home care and, as needed, anesthetized dental cleanings and assessments. This is especially true for senior cats.
Halitosis or bad breath is a common sign of periodontal disease, but disease can be relatively advanced before this develops. It is important to remember that kitties are great at hiding their pain and discomfort, so yearly exams at minimum are required to ensure that a painful dental condition has not developed.
Kidney disease can cause many signs in your kitty, but early changes such as mild weight loss and subtle increases in thirst and urination can be difficult to detect at home. An exam and routine lab analyses will readily detect kidney disease in affected cats.
Both periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease can be effectively managed once diagnosed.
If you have questions about kidney disease, dental disease or want to schedule an exam for your cat, make an
appointment online or by calling 505-265-4939.