Feline Juvenile Periodontitis

Feline Juvenile Periodontitis 

Brook A. Niemiec, DVM 

Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College 

Diplomate, European Veterinary Dental College 

Fellow, Academy of Veterinary Dentistry 

Southern California Veterinary Dental Specialties & Oral Surgery 

www.dogbeachvet.com

 

 

Feline oral inflammatory diseases are a fairly common occurrence. They can also be very 

frustrating to treat.  Many practitioners are aware of stomatitis, however there is an emerging 

condition called juvenile periodontitis which is often mistaken for stomatitis.  This newsletter 

will explain this condition and how to differentiate from stomatitis.  Finally, treatment will be 

covered. 

Clinical Features: 

Juvenile periodontitis appears as significant gingival inflammation, often with gingival 

enlargement.  (Figure 1) This begins soon after eruption of the permanent teeth (9-12 months of 

age).   Bleeding during mastication and on oral exam are common findings. It is generally a non-

painful condition for the patient, and halitosis is a common complaint.  If left untreated, it 

typically proceeds quickly to marked periodontal disease, which may result in early exfoliation 

of the teeth. This is generally the worst in around the mandibular first molars. (Figure 2) 

(1)

 

(2) 

Figure 1: Significant gingival inflammation and overgrowth on the maxillary left of a young cat 

Figure 2: Dental radiograph of a mandibular left of a young cat with significant alveolar bone loss already 

affecting the first molar (yellow arrow). 

This disease is commonly mistaken for caudal stomatitis.  The distinguishing clinical sign is the 

lack of caudal inflammation in this disease process. (Figure 3)   In addition, patients with caudal 

stomatitis tend to be painful.  Finally, it is rare for cats under 2 to develop stomatitis. (Figure 4) 

As the patient matures, susceptibility appears to subside at approximately two years of age,

 

which is the same type of pattern followed in the human disease.  Ergo, if this process is treated 

aggressively early on, the patient may enjoy normal periodontal health in the future.  

 

(3)

 

(4) 

Figure 3: Picture of patient in Figure 1, significant gingival inflammation 

 WITHOUT inflammation in the caudal area. 

Figure 4: Image of a patient with caudal stomatitis  Note that the area behind the teeth is severely inflamed 

(even more than the gingiva).  THIS is evidence of caudal stomatitis. 

Management: 

Early (9 months of age) and frequent (q 6-9 months) dental prophylaxis (even if only minimal 

plaque is present) along with strict homecare is critical to decrease inflammation. Ideally, 

homecare consists of daily brushing, as it is the gold standard of plaque control.  Other homecare 

alternatives include chlorhexadine rinses as well as plaque control diets and treats.  In cases 

where gingival hyperplasia is present, early gingivectomy is recommended to remove 

psuedopockets, decrease inflammation, and facilitate plaque control (both professional and 

homecare). Dental radiographs should be performed to evaluate the quality of the alveolar bone 

and also for early tooth resorption.  Extraction of any significantly diseased teeth is warranted to 

decrease the degree of inflammation.

 

 

 

Key Points  



 

Juvenile periodontal disease occurs in cats less than 1 year of age, is generally non-

painful and halitosis is a common sign. 



 

Caudal stomatitis is painful and generally seen in older cats. 



 

The key clinical sign that differentiates these two conditions is the lack of caudal 

inflammation in Juvenile periodontitis. 



 

Juvenile periodontal disease involves severe periodontal inflammation which occurs 

during and immediately after eruption of the permanent dentition. 



 

Treatment and management of this problem includes early (and regular) professional 

plaque control (dental prophylaxis), gingivectomy (if indicated), and strict homecare. 



 

With proper therapy, susceptibility may subside at about two years of age.