Some very young cats develop gingivitis (inflammation of the gum) at a very young age, usually at the time of permanent teeth eruption. Gingiva may be very red and easily bleeds, sometimes it can also be overgrown to cover the teeth. Bad breath is also very common. We used to refer to this condition as “juvenile gingivitis”, but we now call it “early-onset gingivitis”.
We currently do not understand the etiology of the disease (why it happens) and there is no evidence that stress could play a role. Similar applies to our knowledge and understanding of the role of the immune system/immune (dis)balance, viruses and/or genetic basis to early-onset gingivitis.
As it is known, that cats, clinically diagnosed with early-onset gingivitis, commonly (82% of cases) actually also suffer from aggressive periodontitis (rapid loss of tooth supporting apparatus), we always recommend detailed oral/dental examination and dental radiographs to fully evaluate the disease.
If we find advanced periodontitis, we will recommend dental extractions. If extractions are not indicated (no advanced periodontitis), cleaning and removal of any overgrown gingiva (gingivectomy/gingivoplasty) is performed.
If no dental extractions were needed, but there is lack of improvement of clinical signs/gingivitis at the healing recheck 2 weeks after the dental treatment, cats may progress to aggressive periodontitis at any remaining teeth (within a few months) and possibly later also to stomatitis.
If you have noted any problems with your animal, please consult your veterinarian.
Selected references:
Soltero-Rivera M, Vapniarsky N, Rivas IL, Arzi B (2023). Clinical, radiographic and histopathologic features of early-onset gingivitis and periodontitis in cats (1997-2022). J Feline Med Surg25(1):1098612X221148577.
