Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How gum disease changes the mouth bacteria in cats
By Thomson, Pamela et al.·Published in Current microbiology·2025·Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Impact of Periodontal Disease on the Oral Microbiome of Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with periodontal disease (gum disease) showed changes in their mouth bacteria compared to healthy cats. Researchers studied 30 cats, half with gum disease and half healthy, and found that the unhealthy cats had fewer specific types of bacteria that are usually present in healthy mouths. This shift in bacteria might affect how their mouths function, particularly in producing certain fatty acids. Understanding these differences could help vets develop better ways to diagnose and treat gum disease in cats.
People also search for: cat gum disease symptoms · periodontal disease treatment for cats · cat oral health bacteria
Abstract
Periodontal disease is a multifactorial condition commonly observed in domestic cats, characterized by inflammation and alveolar bone loss. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the oral microbiome between healthy cats and those with periodontitis, focusing on microbial community structure and preliminary functionality. An observational case-control study was conducted involving 30 cats, divided equally into healthy and periodontitis groups. Gingival swabs were collected and analyzed using V3_V4 regions of the 16S rRNA sequencing. The results revealed that while the dominant phyla in both groups were Bacteroidota and Bacillota, cats with periodontitis exhibited decreased levels of Ochrobactrum, Odoribacter denticanis, Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas macacae, and Fretibacterium fastidiosum which are the characteristics of the periodontal oral microbiome. Predicted function indicated the enrichment of pathways related to the biosynthesis of fatty acids in periodontal disease, such as ubiquinol and mycolate production. These findings highlight significant microbial and functional shifts associated with feline periodontal disease, providing a basis for potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40295327/