FELINE STOMATITIS

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Feline Stomatitis

What are signs or symptoms of stomatitis in cats?

Feline stomatitis is a common, painful and life threatening problem in many cats. It occurs in cats of all breeds and of all ages. Some breeds such as Himalayans, Persians, and Somalis more commonly develop stomatitis although we also see this condition in many domesticated short and long haired cats as well as in the oriental breeds.Cats having stomatitis often have bad breath (halitosis). They also have red and inflammed gums (gingiva). In time the inflammation spreads from areas adjacent to teeth to areas more distant (back of the throat or the oropharynx). In some areas, the gums (gingiva) enlarge and block off areas of the oropharynx. Eating and swallowing become difficult and painful for many of these cats.Many cats with stomatitis also have tooth resorption. The inflammed gingiva may appear to be growing into a tooth or the tooth may appear to have a hole. These are painful teeth.Here is a picture of a cat with stomatitis

How do we treat feline stomatitis?Treatment for feline stomatitis is dependent on the individual case. Stomatitis affects cats differently depending on the stage of stomatitis, the severity of disease and the individual cat's pain tolerance. The ability of the owner to provide home care (daily teeth brushing) is also a factor in treatment planning. Medical, surgical and combination therapy options are available.Medical therapy has provided short-term control for feline stomatitis; however, the long term results are extremely disappointing. Surgical therapy has offered remarkable immediate pain relief with long-term control of feline stomatitis. The surgical procedure involves meticulous dental extraction technique with wide excision of the inflamed mucogingival tissues. Dental radiography is absolutely essential in performing surgical extractions for these cats!

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