Feline Tooth Resorption in a Colony of 109 Cats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinical and/or radiographic tooth resorption in a standardized population of 109 healthy cats fed dry diets, with specific emphasis on the mapping and typing of the lesions, as well as the influence of variables including breed, sex, and age. Prevalence of tooth resorption was significantly higher in pure-breed cats (70.0 %) compared with mixed-breed cats (38.0 %). A total of 290 tooth resorption lesions were diagnosed radiographically. For all lesions, 60.0 % were Type 2 compared to 40.0 % Type 1. There was an increased frequency of tooth resorption observed in older mixed breed-cats and female pure-breed cats. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated a strong breed influence (pure-breed vs. mixed-breed) on the prevalence of tooth resorption, as well as an uneven oral distribution with regard to mapping and typing characteristics.