SURVEY OF ORAL DISEASES IN CATS IN FLANDERS Survey van mondaandoeningen bij katten in Vlaanderen

A survey of oral disease was conducted in a population of 753 client-owned cats examined by eleven Flemish veterinarians. Only 87 of these cats were presented for orodental disease. The possible effects of age, gender, diet, breed and lifestyle on the prevalence rates of oral diseases were studied. The results showed that most of the cats in this study were suffering from periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis), and that periodontitis was more common in the older cats. Although this was a young population (mean age 4.5 years), and radiographic examination was not routinely done, one out of four cats in the population was found to suffer from odontoclastic resorptive lesions. Other diseases that were recorded included congenital/hereditary disease, trauma, oral proliferations and stomatitis. The results of this survey demonstrate that oral disease is very common in client-owned cats, and therefore deserves more attention in general veterinary practice.