Two Brothers, One Dental Condition – Why Axle and Tubs Needed Different Approaches
At All Pets Veterinary Clinic, we often remind owners that no two pets are the same – even when they share the same condition.
Recently, we treated two three-year-old feline brothers, Axle and Tubs, who both came into the clinic suffering from a painful dental condition known as feline tooth resorption (often called tooth lesions). It’s a surprisingly common issue in cats and one that can cause significant discomfort if left untreated.
Despite having the same diagnosis, the treatment required for each cat turned out to be very different.
Their story offered a fascinating insight into how veterinary dentistry works behind the scenes and why advanced diagnostics and tailored treatment plans are so important.
What is feline tooth resorption?
Feline tooth resorption occurs when a cat’s tooth structure begins to break down and be absorbed by the body. It can affect one tooth or several and often progresses silently.
Cats are incredibly good at hiding pain, so many owners don’t realise anything is wrong until the condition is picked up during a veterinary examination.
Signs can sometimes include:
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Dropping food
- Pawing at the mouth
- Increased drooling
- Behaviour changes due to discomfort
However, in many cases there are no obvious symptoms at home, which is why regular veterinary checks are so important.
The importance of dental x-rays
Although Axle and Tubs both appeared to have the same issue during their examinations, the real story was revealed once we performed full dental x-rays.
Dental x-rays allow our team to see beneath the gum line, where much of the disease process occurs. This is essential when diagnosing tooth resorption because the visible part of the tooth is often only a small part of the picture.
The imaging showed that:
- Axle’s teeth could be safely extracted, removing the source of his discomfort.
- Tubs’ teeth required a different surgical approach, as the roots had already begun to change and fuse with the surrounding bone.
Without dental x-rays, it would be impossible to determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Why personalised treatment matters
We recently shared videos showing Axle and Tubs’ stories, giving pet owners a rare glimpse into the work that happens behind the scenes during dental procedures.
You can watch them here:
Looking ahead
Veterinary dentistry is an area of medicine that has advanced enormously in recent years. With the right equipment and expertise, we can now diagnose and treat dental disease far earlier and far more precisely than ever before.
As we expand into our new premises, we’re looking forward to sharing even more insights into the work we do and continuing to provide state-of-the-art care for pets across Jersey.
Because when it comes to dental disease in pets, early diagnosis and the right treatment can make a huge difference to comfort and quality of life.
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If you’re ever concerned about your pet’s teeth, our team is always happy to help.
The All Pets Team 🐾