Conference misery::feline_v1

4296.0. "gum disease can lead to UTI" by TYGON::WILDE (illegal possession of a GNU) Tue Jan 08 1991 18:41

an interesting tidbit I just picked up while scanning magazines last night:

  A veterinary study has determined a connection between gingivitis and
  urinary tract infections - if your cat's teeth are bad, he/she is more
  prone to UTI.  The article was in a little blurb in a McCall's magazine.
  The article also stated that it is important that you keep your cat's
  teeth and gums healthy, by professional cleaning, your personal maintenance
  of the teeth and gums, and BY FEEDING SOME DRY FOOD IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
  The cat that eats only wet food is more prone to gum disease which is
  a source of bacteria to the whole system....leading to UTI.

although I don't consider McCalls a source for vet medical care, I do know
the magazine to publish "traditional sourced" material...they aren't likely
to be publishing a fly-by-night sourced item.  Besides, it makes perfectly
good sense that a cat with infected gums would be "poisoning" his/her system
with the infection.  Another reason to keep those pearly whites clean...
sigh.  I guess that Nick and Hannah get to chew on Mom's hand a little more
often this year....at least once a week.