Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gingivitis risk and how common it is in UK cats up to 6 years
By Williams, J L et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2024·Bristol Vet School, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and risk factors for gingivitis in a cohort of UK companion cats aged up to 6 years.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 56% of cats aged 5 to 6 years had gingivitis, a common gum disease that can cause bad breath and discomfort. Cats aged 3 to 4 years were more likely to develop gingivitis if they ate wet food or a mix of wet and dry food, did not hunt, dribbled when petted, or had orange fur. This information can help veterinarians identify cats at higher risk for gum issues and guide owners on the best diets and dental care practices to keep their cats' mouths healthy.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Prospectively collected data were used to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis in a cohort of companion cats aged up to 6 years and to investigate factors associated with the risk of gingivitis in cats aged 3 to 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of domestic cats (the Bristol Cats Study), using owner-completed questionnaires and veterinary surgeon-completed oral health scores. Prevalence estimates of veterinary-reported gingivitis for cats aged up to 6 years old (n = 1534) were calculated for different age groups. Cat signalment, diet and dental care were assessed for association with gingivitis in cats aged 3 to 4 years (n = 317) using univariable and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingivitis increased with age and ranged from 24.5% (<12 months old) to 56.3% (5 to 6 years old). Odds of gingivitis in cats aged 3 to 4 years were higher in cats fed a wet only or mixed wet/dry diet compared to dry only (odds ratio: 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 5.1), cats not reported to hunt compared to reported hunters (odds ratio: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.0 to 4.2), cats reported to dribble whilst being stroked at age 6 months compared to reported non-dribblers (odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 8.4) and cats with orange variants in their coat colour compared to non-orange cats (odds ratio: 2.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.0 to 5.3). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results will help veterinary surgeons identify cats that may be at a greater risk of gingivitis and provide an evidence base to inform dietary and oral healthcare recommendations aimed at promoting gingival health in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38736278/