Juvenile Periodontitis and Hypercalcemia in a Domestic Shorthair Cat

Patient Information

Name: Flotsam
Age: 2 1/2 years old
Breed: Domestic Shorthair (DSH)
Gender: Male, Neutered

Presenting Problem

Flotsam presented with juvenile periodontitis, a condition that had been managed with regular dental treatments and strict plaque control through daily tooth brushing. Despite these efforts, Flotsam continued to show signs of oral discomfort and began losing weight, raising concerns about his overall health.

Diagnostics and Treatment

In addition to his dental issues, Flotsam was diagnosed with hypercalcemia during a medical workup. After working with the internal medicine team, we found that the hypercalcemia was idiopathic, with no specific underlying cause identified. Given the ongoing oral discomfort and inflammation, Flotsam underwent full mouth extractions to relieve his pain and address the persistent periodontal disease.

“Despite the initial hope that he would outgrow his juvenile periodontitis, full-mouth extractions were ultimately necessary.”

Outcome

After surgery, Flotsam showed significant improvement. His oral symptoms resolved completely, and dietary changes and management have effectively controlled his hypercalcemia. Despite losing all his teeth, the treatment greatly enhanced his quality of life.

“We are pleased with the positive outcome, as Flotsam has adapted well and continues to thrive without his teeth.”

Veterinary Comments

“Managing Flotsam’s condition has required a significant commitment from his owners.”

“Despite the initial hope that he would outgrow his juvenile periodontitis, full-mouth extractions were ultimately necessary.”

“We are pleased with the positive outcome, as Flotsam has adapted well and continues to thrive without his teeth.”

“His case shows the importance of comprehensive care and collaboration between owners and veterinary teams in managing complex conditions.”

Next steps

For Pet Owners

Are you concerned about your pet’s dental health? Call 1300 866 848 or fill out the contact form. We’ll coordinate with your primary vet to ensure the best outcome.

For Vets & Nurses

We’re here to help. If you’d like to refer a patient, please call us at 1300 866 848 , complete the referral form or email us with a brief case summary, relevant radiographs and lab results.

For advice and treatment guidance, email us with a brief case summary, relevant radiographs and lab results.

 


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Key Takeaways

Juvenile Periodontitis Can Persist Despite Care

Even with consistent plaque control, severe inflammation and discomfort may continue.

Underlying Conditions May Complicate Dental Disease

Concurrent issues such as hypercalcemia can impact overall health and management.

Full Mouth Extractions Can Be Necessary

When disease is advanced, extractions may be required to eliminate pain and inflammation.

Treatment Can Significantly Improve Quality of Life

With appropriate care, pets can adapt well and thrive after treatment.

Jessica Ramsay

2 months ago

The care and compassion both Bec and Aaron show towards their patients and clients is above and beyond. I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with the whole AAD team including the wonderful admin team Bryl and Hayley. They make the whole experience from booking the appointment to discharge a pleasant experience and the follow up phone calls the day after procedure shows how much they really care about your pet and any concerns you may have. Would highly recommend these guys for any animal dental treatment.

Steph A

Tessa Orr

So grateful to Dr Aaron for taking the absolute BEST care of our 13 year old boy Chopper! We honestly wouldn’t go anywhere else for his teeth. Dr Aaron is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, so kind and caring! I am quite the worrier as my boy is my baby and his little teeth are super worn from years of chewing/playing with tennis balls. Dr Aaron really gave us the time to listen to all of our concerns and go over everything so thoroughly. My partner and I came into the consult anxious and stressed and left feeling completely at ease knowing Chopper was in the absolute best hands! We are forever grateful for the high quality care and compassion Dr Aaron provided…..

Tessa Orr

A month ago

cont… Also a massive thank you to Bryliiana for dealing with us over the phone these past few years, answering my many questions and never making me feel rushed or of an annoyance. There were quite the few worried phone calls. I HIGHLY recommend Advanced Animal Dentistry to anyone and everyone! It really is such a professional and quality practice! Thank you so much Dr Aaron and Bryliiana for the amazing work you guys do! Thank you for taking such great care of our boy!

dazz boyd

A month ago

Dr Aaron and Brylliana give our boy Chopper exceptional care every visit.

They both give us a lot of extra time and relive all our concerns over the phone and in person and never make us feel like we are a bother. They go out of their way to put us at ease with any questions we have and always make us feel like they have the time to reassure us in every way possible.

I would recommend them to anyone considering using them, 11 out of 10.

Thank you both of you for your amazing care!

Ka Lei Lau

A month ago

Dr Aaron cared for our GSD who had fractured her teeth. The team were able to fit us in within a day for surgery and Dr Aaron’s calm bedside manner was (amazingly) able to calm our very anxious, highly strung dog who typically hates a vet surgery environment. Excellent follow up care and communication, it’s clear the team genuinely cares for animals. Surgery was very professionally done and the price was fair and reasonable for specialised expertise. We are very pleased, thank you for such compassionate care for our pup. If only Dr Aaron could be our regular vet!

Amber Owen

A month ago

Dr Bec is amazing! I really feel like my dog is safe with her and I am a very protective and nervous dog mum. My dog also had a really nice recovery and was very comfortable after his tooth removal (due to a nasty abscess). I would definitely recommend Dr Bec and the team to anyone who wants high end care for their pets.

Gregory Cuff

A month ago

Staff were absolutely wonderful, the help and advice we received was fantastic

Zoe Hyde

A month ago

Bec has done surgery on both my beloved cat and dog and she is such a kind, thorough and talented Dentist! The communication is superb, level of care, and pain relief is brilliant. I completely trust my animals in her hands and am very grateful for her and all of the team’s care 🙂

Whitney Hansen

A month ago

Advanced Animal Dentistry took amazing care of my girl, Polly, and made sure she got lots of cuddles. Will definitely be going back.

Matt & Rochelle Lloyd

A month ago

Absolutely amazing the price for surgery is reasonable.
I drive all the way from Glasshouse Mountains just to there..

FAQs

What is juvenile periodontitis in cats, and how did it affect Flotsam?

Juvenile periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that occurs at a young age and can lead to inflammation, discomfort and tooth loss. In Flotsam’s case, the condition persisted despite regular dental treatments and daily plaque control. This ongoing oral discomfort also contributed to weight loss and concerns about his overall health.

Why didn’t routine dental care resolve Flotsam’s condition?

Although Flotsam’s condition was managed with consistent dental care and brushing, his periodontitis continued to progress. Some cases do not respond to conservative management, especially when inflammation remains severe. This meant further intervention was needed to address his ongoing discomfort.

What is hypercalcemia, and how was it managed in this case?

Hypercalcemia refers to elevated calcium levels in the blood, which can have various underlying causes. In Flotsam’s case, it was diagnosed as idiopathic, meaning no specific cause was identified after investigation. His condition has since been managed effectively through dietary changes and ongoing care.

Why were full mouth extractions necessary for Flotsam?

Full mouth extractions were recommended due to persistent pain and inflammation that could not be controlled with other treatments. Removing the teeth eliminated the source of discomfort and helped resolve the periodontal disease. This decision was made after careful consideration of his ongoing symptoms.

How did Flotsam recover after full mouth extractions?

Following surgery, Flotsam’s oral symptoms resolved completely, and he adapted well to life without teeth. His quality of life improved significantly, and he continues to thrive. With appropriate management, cats can adjust well after extractions and maintain good overall health.