Cats are adept at hiding illnesses and abnormalities, but it may be challenging to ignore a warning when it is as obvious as drooling or as foul-smelling as bad breath. These signs could point to serious problems with your cat’s mouth or other potential body parts.
The underlying causes of bad breath and drooling in cats
While oral disorders account for the majority of the reasons of bad breath and drooling in cats, these symptoms may also be due to other conditions.
The underlying causes of drooling and foul breath in cats
- Oral melanoma
- Persistent gum disease
- Renal disease liver disease
- Diabetes, oral damage, intestinal blockages, and a respiratory problem
Oral tumors in cats
Tumors or growths can form in a cat’s mouth and spread, become infected, and produce unpleasant odors. Your cat starts dribbling and has poor breath if the tumor is large enough to obstruct swallowing. Oral cavity tumors frequently go unnoticed since they could be in the tongue or the back of the mouth. They aren’t identified until they start to cause issues or after a thorough oral examination.
Periodontal disease in cats
If you don’t regularly brush your cat’s teeth, food particles and bacteria may build up. These substances can irritate the gums and produce an infection around the teeth, which can result in periodontal disease. Abscesses below the gums can also be a symptom of periodontal disease, along with bad breath and drooling. If periodontal disease is not addressed, it may result in tooth loss or extractions.
Kidney disease in cats
Sadly, a cat’s kidneys may fail at some point in its lifetime, and this may be indicated by bad breath. Toxins are removed from cats’ blood by their kidneys, which are normally unable to do their job if they are failing or malfunctioning. As a result, the blood begins to accumulate toxins, which results in halitosis.
Liver disease in cats
If your cat’s breath smells like bile or vomit, liver disease may be at blame. If the liver is not working properly, your cat can have a bad odor emanating from its mouth. The liver produces bile, which facilitates the digestion of fats, and promotes the body’s detoxification process. It makes sense that since cats with liver problems regularly vomit, this could also cause bad breath.
Diabetes and Cats
The foul breath of cats with untreated diabetes has a distinct fruity or sweet scent. In diabetic cats, fatty acids from adipose tissue are converted to ineffective ketones because they are unable to move from triglycerides to fatty acids for energy. These ketones are what give cats’ breath its distinctively sweet scent during diabetic ketoacidosis.
Intestinal blockages in cats
Because of their propensity to eat things they shouldn’t, cats may develop intestinal blockages as a result of this activity. If the intestines are unable to carry food through the body, the digestive system may suffer harm. The circulation might even halt, which would result in the death of certain intestines. This necrosis plus any vomiting that may occur in a cat with an intestinal obstruction cause really bad breath.
Oral trauma in cats
Drooling and bad breath can result from mouth trauma, just as they would if a cat had an oral cavity tumor that was infected or bleeding. These signs and symptoms are brought on by drooling that frequently involves blood from infections or bleeding from a cut. The circulation to a cat’s tongue is cut off when it chews on an electrical cord or a piece of string, which could cause this kind of damage.
Conditions of Cats’ Respiration
Some felines who have respiratory issues also have nasal and sinus issues. Rhinitis and sinusitis are two illnesses that frequently involve inflammation. Additionally, an infection brought on by the swelling could result in bad breath.
Treatment for Drooling and Bad Breath in Cats
Depending on what is triggering the drooling and foul breath, the underlying problem might need to be treated with surgery, dental work, or medication. The mouth will be thoroughly examined to check for any oral cancers, wounds, or suspected periodontal disease. It is possible to perform blood tests to assess the condition of the internal organs. To examine the lungs, stomach, or intestines, X-rays may be taken. If sedation or total anesthesia is required to examine the mouth, your veterinarian will go over a treatment plan with you to address the bad breath and drooling.
If you suspect your pet is sick, contact your veterinarian straight away. When in doubt about your family pet’s health, always see your veterinarian. They have examined your pet, are aware of its medical history, and may be able to offer the best guidance for your pet.
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