July/August 2000
Calvin is a 9 year old DSH who presented with a swelling underneath the left eye. This is a common presentation of an abscessed root of the upper 4th premolar in the cat. There are 3 roots to this tooth which extend upward toward the eye. Often this condition is confused with a bite wound (especially in a cat like Calvin who goes outside).
Treatment of the abscess requires extraction of this tooth, flushing the area, and antibiotics. The cat usually recovers uneventfully.
This
tooth is usually split into 2-3 sections to aid in its extraction.
Click here to view normal feline dentition.