4 Signs of Tooth Trauma in Cats After an Accident
If your cat has recently been in an accident, then you'll keep a close eye on it for a while to make sure that it is OK. If your pet hurt its jaw or mouth, then you might worry that it will develop a dental problem. How can you tell if your cat has injured its teeth?
1. You Can See a Damaged Tooth
Even if your cat is happy to be handled, it probably won't be too keen to have you prod at its teeth. You can, however, see obvious signs of dental trauma sometimes.
For example, you might be able to see if your cat has a missing or broken tooth. Sometimes, teeth move, so look out for teeth that are too far forward, too far back or twisted in the wrong position.
2. Your Cat Won't Let You Touch Its Face
If your cat's accident affected its teeth in any way, then its mouth will be sore. Your cat might not want you to touch that part of its face if it hurts.
So, try gently stroking your cat's cheeks and jaw. If your cat has a tooth problem, it might flinch or even get a bit aggressive with you. If your pet is normally OK with you touching its face, then this is a sign that it has some pain.
3. Your Cat Can't Eat Normally
Cats try not to show pain, so you might not notice that your pet is hurting. However, you might get a sign that all is not well when your cat tries to eat.
If your cat did damage a tooth in its accident, then it might find eating really painful. It might be as hungry as normal, but it might not actually eat all that much.
So, it might try a mouthful or two of food and then stop. It might try to chew on one side of its mouth. Or, it might dribble food out of its mouth as it eats. These are all signs of possible dental problems.
4. Your Cat Has Bad Breath
Your cat might manage to conceal tooth trauma for a while; its tooth might then get infected if it is broken or cracked. If this happens, then you can smell the problem — your pet's breath will start to smell rank.
If you suspect that your cat did damage a tooth in its accident, then give your vet a call. They might recommend a cat dental appointment to check things out.