Has your cat got halitosis?
Halitosis (bad breath) is a common complaint reported by cat owners to their vet, and it can be indicative of a number of disease conditions. Checking for offensive odour from the breath is part of routine clinical examination carried out by vets. It is true that most cats exhibit bad breath from time to time, and that this is quite normal, especially after eating meat or fish based foods. Halitosis refers to consistently bad breath with a particularly foul and offensive odour.

If halitosis occurs along with other mouth related symptoms such as difficulty in eating, pawing/rubbing the face, drooling of saliva or a blood stained discharge, your cat may be suffering from inflammation/infection within the oral cavity. This ranges from gingivitis (inflamed gums) to generalised stomatosis (inflammation of the whole oral cavity).

Plaque-induced periodontal disease is the most common chronic oral disease in cats. Plaque is a build up of bacteria, minerals and decomposed food that accumulates on the teeth surfaces close to the gum margins. This process can result in loosening and loss of teeth. Treatment is most effective as early in the process as possible and usually involves dental descaling and polishing with an ultrasonic cleaner, carried out under anaesthetic. Severely decayed teeth can be removed during this procedure. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infection and prescription diets can be given which help stop plaque and tartar build up.

Mouth ulcers can also cause halitosis and these are often caused by viral infections such as feline calicivirus and feline leukaemia virus. Vaccination can be administered to prevent these viral infections, and symptomatic treatment is used to relieve pain associated with the ulceration and to combat secondary bacterial infections.

The presence of foreign bodies such as string, needles and fragments of bone lodged in the tongue, cheek or throat can also manifest as bad breath and a sore mouth. Such a foreign body often needs to be removed under sedation or anaesthesia by your veterinary surgeon.

Halitosis can also be caused by non-mouth related medical conditions where the foul odour originates in another body system and is released through the mouth. Diabetes, severe kidney disease and cancer are examples of such conditions and are often associated with loss of appetitie and weight loss. If your cat has halitosis and is showing signs of mouth pain and poor appetite, a simple veterinary examination can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. Older cats that have been fed soft, meaty foods are prone to plaque and tartar accumulation which results in gingivitis and periodontal disease. Feeding hard, dry, complete cat food of good quality helps prevent this problem.