08/07/2026
Meet Mr Mao.
Mr Mao is an 18 year old, distinguished gentlemen who recently underwent two stages of dental treatment.
Like many cats, Mr Mao suffered from FORL (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive lesions).
This is a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down or “resorbs”, often starting at the root and progressing to the crown. As it progresses the affected tooth will weaken, fracture and may be entirely replaced by bone which can be very painful for your cat.
The exact cause isn’t known but it’s thought to be linked to genetic factors, inflammation and diet. It’s more common in cats as they age. Tooth resorption is progressive, so treatment often involves extraction of the affected tooth to relieve pain.
This was the case for Mr Mao who had been struggling to eat, dropping food multiple times and losing weight. For these reasons it was decided to take the risk of General Anaesthetic, a risk increased due to his age and medical history.
After taking x-rays we discovered Mr Mao needed a lot of extractions. The decision was made to split this over two procedures due to the extensive work with significant trauma this entailed.
Mr Mao recovered brilliantly from both stages of treatment and was a happy boy eating treats before going home. Mr Mao's story highlights the importance of coming for routine check ups to try and identify problems early and make the necessary interventions.
We recommend regular brushing and food selection for all our patients to help prevent other common problems such as periodontal disease and gingivitis. You can find more information about this here on our website:
https://www.medivetgroup.com/vet-practice-services/pet-dental-care/cat-dental-care/
