DENTISTRY & REFERRALS AT THE PLYMOUTH CAT CLINIC
We’re proud to offer dedicated feline dentistry and oral surgery services for referred patients from veterinary practices across the region.
The Referral Process
We are now welcoming dental referrals from fellow veterinary practices.
Veterinary surgeons wishing to refer a feline patient for dental care should email the cat’s medical records along with the owner’s contact information to hello@theplymouthcatclinic.co.uk using the subject line 'Dental Referral'. Following treatment, a comprehensive report will be provided to the referring Veterinary Surgeon.
Why come to us for feline dentistry?
When selecting a veterinary clinic for your cat’s dental care, one of the most critical factors to consider is the availability and quality of dental x-ray equipment, and the experience of the Veterinary Surgeon. Many practices lack dental x-ray facilities altogether, and others may rely on outdated machines that produce sub-optimal images which are essential for diagnosis and surgery.
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At The Plymouth Cat Clinic, we have a dedicated interest for feline dentistry and oral surgery, and Dr Nikolai Athron is an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dentistry and holds a Post-graduate Certificate in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery. We have invested heavily on a feline Dental Suite with advanced dental equipment & a digital dental x-ray system. The same advanced technology trusted and used by dental specialists. This enables us to obtain high-quality, full-mouth x-rays within minutes, minimising anaesthesia time for your cat and allowing for precise, efficient identification of dental disease.
Why does my Cat need a COHAT and subsequent dental treatment/extractions?
Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions we see in cats, and they are excellent at hiding their pain and discomfort. A Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment plan or COHAT is an excellent way to investigate and prevent a lot of dental disease in cats. It includes a detailed oral and dental assessment (charting and full-mouth X-rays) and cleaning under a short anaesthetic.
Tooth Resorption (TR) is a common dental disease that can cause severe pain and tooth loss in cats. They can only be accurately diagnosed and classified using dental x-rays. Affected teeth and roots often need to be removed to manage the disease.
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Broken teeth
Broken teeth are often caused by trauma and Tooth Resorption. Fractured teeth should be either removed or referred for root canal treatment. As the exposed pulp will be colonized by bacteria and lead to pain, inflammation and infection.
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Gingivitis
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is very common conditions in cats and can lead to some very severe diseases in some cats. The build-up of tartar (plaque), the cat’s individual immune response, and previous virus exposures can be contributing factors to the disease process.
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Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the inflammation of the attachment structures of the teeth to the bone. This is often seen as bone loss in dental X-rays, and unfortunately in cats even small amount of attachment loss can lead to significant pain and oral disease.
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Tartar/Dental Calculus
This is a form of mineralized plaque that should be safely removed using only an ultrasonic scaler to prevent further disease, similar to a person visiting the dental hygienist.
