birmans tooth allergy

Question
Hello Jennifer,
I had my 5 year old Birman (neutured female) in for routine vaccinations.  My vet preformed an oral exam and noted that Shelly's gingiva is very red and inflammed.  There was minimal calculus deposits and Shelly had a cleaning and 2 extractions 1 year ago. The extractions were preformed because her teeth were mobile and her breath smelled like an abcessed tooth.  Shelly also had missing 4 anterior teeth when I got her.  I am a dental hygienist and I freely admit that Shelly will not tolerate oral hygiene care.  I have the bite mark scars to prove it.
My vet suggested that cats of her breed tend to get allergic to their own teeth and she advises extractions.  We are trying a course of Clindamycin to see if that resolves the gingivitis.  If it doesn't, our vet says the teeth should go.  I have never heard of aminals being allergic to their own teeth and hesitate to allow the extractions.  Would you please advise me?

Thank you,
Emily

Answer
Hello Emily,

It is not that she is allergic to her teeth really, but the body over-reacts to the plaque and bacteria that is on her teeth.   You can try using Virbac's CET Oral Hygeine Rinse and add that to her drinking water to see if that helps.  Some cats do well with pulse antibiotic therapy using the Clindamycin...meaning you give the antibiotics for a week out of each month (give her some yogurt while on the anitibiotics).  I would be a bit hesitant about a full mouth extraction as the first option if it is just gingivitis.  If she has mouth ulcers and her mouth is sore and she is not eating, then yes.  I would start with professional cleaning of her teeth first and maybe trying T/D Dental diet.  The other option is to try to boost up her immune system to fight off the infection in her mouth by giving her Transfer Factor.  www.4tf-pets.com/testimonials.htm

Best of luck,
Dr. Fry
www.my4life.com/drfry