Not always, even experienced owners can identify the inflammatory process in the early stages, thereby allowing complications and an acute course of the disease to occur. This problem includes ulcerative stomatitis in cats. It leads not only to inflammation of the gums, but also to damage to the mucous membranes of the entire mouth: tongue, cheeks and palate. Even the smallest scratch can become a source of infection, especially if the immune system is weakened.
What is stomatitis
Stomatitis in a cat is an inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa (usually the corners of the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, lingual palatine folds) with possible complications in the absence of proper treatment. It is contagious to animals, so a sick cat should be protected from contact with other pets.
According to localization, the types of the disease can be classified as follows:
- gingivitis - inflammation affects the gums of the animal;
- gingivostomatitis - inflammation covers the mucous membrane of the entire mouth and gums;
- glossitis - affects the tongue;
- palatinitis - affects the palate;
- faucitis - in this case, the palatoglossal folds are subject to inflammation;
- cheilitis - inflammation affects the lips.
According to the duration of the disease, the disease can be acute - up to 2 weeks, subacute - 2-6 weeks, and chronic - more than 6 weeks, in which the animal generally feels unwell.
Treatment, prognosis
Treatment can be conservative (medication), surgical or combined.
Surgical treatment is carried out in severe cases when the mucous membrane has undergone destructive changes without the possibility of recovery. Gangrenous areas will prevent healthy tissue from healing. Often, a specialist also has to remove teeth (in case of autoimmune stomatitis), choosing this method as the only one capable of saving the animal’s life.
A combined treatment method involves surgical cleaning of the oral cavity, removal of certain teeth that are no longer possible to save, and drug therapy.
Medication assistance includes the following steps:
- cleaning the oral mucosa from traces of tissue decay and pus;
- elimination of the source of infection (with secondary stomatitis);
- healing of affected areas of the mucosa;
- strengthening the immune system.
To disinfect the oral cavity and treat ulcers directly, drugs such as Lugol spray, or Lugol's solution with glycerin, Chlorhexidine, Dentavedin gels, Metrogyl, Protargol solution are most often used.
Important: Veterinarians prefer not to use Rotocan, as it provokes hypersalivation.
To eliminate infection and relieve inflammation, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial drugs, as well as antibiotics are used.
As for the forecasts, for the most part they are favorable. If the visit to the veterinary clinic was timely, and the treatment was competent and consistent, then it is possible to achieve a complete cure for the animal.
Main signs of the disease
You can assume that a cat has stomatitis based on the following signs:
- loss of appetite;
- constant thirst appears;
- the cat often rubs its muzzle with its paw or rubs its muzzle against objects/the floor in an attempt to relieve pain;
- temperature rises;
- lack of washing and hygiene due to pain in the mouth;
- increased salivation;
- constantly wet fur around the mouth;
- apathy and drowsiness;
- pinkish saliva - due to bleeding wounds - or viscous and yellowish - due to an admixture of pus;
- swollen lymph nodes in the jaw and neck.
“Murkoshi” volunteers carefully care for each animal and recommend that cat owners not delay visiting the veterinarian if symptoms of illness are detected.
Symptoms of the disease
Cat owners should know the main symptoms of the disease, which can be used to suspect this oral disease in their animal. Each type of stomatitis has its own characteristic signs; we list the main ones.
10 signs of stomatitis
- The cat washes itself frequently and rubs its mouth vigorously as if something is bothering it.
- Increased salivation appears.
- The animal is thirsty. The cat drinks all the time.
- Appetite drops. The pet refuses its favorite treats.
- The lymph nodes in the lower jaw are enlarged.
- An unpleasant odor appears from the oral cavity.
- Hyperthermia. Body temperature rises.
- The cat sleeps a lot, becomes lethargic, and refuses active games.
- Saliva turns pink.
- Pus is released. Ulcers form in the mouth.
Important!
If you find signs of pathology in your pet, you must immediately show the animal to a specialist who knows what stomatitis looks like in a cat.
Causes of stomatitis
Stomatitis in a cat occurs due to any injury or disease. Depending on the causes of the disease, primary and secondary stomatitis are distinguished.
Primary develops when:
— thermal burn (too hot food or inhalation of steam);
— chemical burn (swallowed alkaline solutions, salts of heavy metals, etc.);
- mechanical trauma to the mouth (bad bite, damage to the gums or cheeks from small bones while eating).
Secondary stomatitis in kittens and cats develops against the background of stress, weak immunity or as a result of diseases:
- diabetes mellitus and other difficulties with the endocrine system;
- lack of vitamins (as a rule, stomatitis can be caused by a lack of A, B, C, E and PP);
— infectious (calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, papillomatosis, etc.);
— renal failure and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, gastritis, etc.);
- allergies to medications, food or, conversely, inedible products (plants, shampoo, paint from toys, etc.);
— problems with gums and teeth (periodontitis, periodontal disease, caries, etc.);
— oncology, especially in the neck and head;
- autoimmune diseases.
Stomatitis can also be caused by poor oral hygiene or feeding from dirty dishes. It is necessary to introduce specialized food into the cat’s diet that prevents the deposition of tartar, or to remove it in a timely manner at a veterinary clinic.
Read more: Removing tartar from a cat
Causes
The pathology can be primary or secondary, in which case inflammation is a sign of another, more serious disease. It could be:
- infection, stomatitis appears especially often if the gastrointestinal tract is affected (distemper, panleukopenia);
- diabetes mellitus, a general metabolic disorder allows pathogenic bacteria to easily multiply;
- problems with hormones;
- fungi.
Primary reasons include:
- poor hygiene: dirty feeding utensils, lack of brushing of teeth and gums;
- malocclusions and caries;
- trauma to the mucous membrane: too hard and hot food, sticks, twigs with which the cat can play, etc.;
- getting detergents or other household products into your mouth.
Treatment of stomatitis in adult cats
As Henry Bates said, “Cats are happy creatures. They don’t care about anything at all!” And this is true - until the cat gets sick. Furry pets are not always able to help themselves on their own, and then they need the care of their owner. Well, his duty is to follow the veterinarian’s recommendations.
Depending on the type of stomatitis in a cat, its severity and the general condition of the animal, the doctor may prescribe medication - including drugs and immunomodulatory drugs, surgery - when removal of the affected mucous membrane, tartar or teeth is required, or combination therapy - consisting of surgical intervention followed by prescription of medications.
Widely used drugs for the treatment of stomatitis in cats:
- Antiviral, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antifungal
— “Amoxicillin” 15%. 1 time subcutaneously or intramuscularly, dosage 1ml/10kg (or 15ml/kg).
- "Oxytetracycline." A course of 3-5 days, 1 ruble/day at a dosage of 0.1 ml/kg.
— “Lincomycin” 10%. Dosage intramuscularly – 2ml/10kg, intravenously – 1ml/10kg. Course 3-7 days.
- Oxolinic or Nystatin ointments, "Cholisal". Apply locally, a thin layer to inflamed areas.
- Antiseptics
— “Chlorhexidine” (0.05%). Rinse mouth or treat wounds topically.
- "Dentavedin-gel." 2-3 times a day, apply a thin layer to sore gums or into the sockets of extracted teeth.
— “Lugol” with glycerin, including spray, “Metrogil-denta”, “Protargol” (1.5%). Spray or smear on ulcers.
- Restorative and wound-healing drugs
- “Actovegin-gel”, “Levomekol”, rosehip and sea buckthorn oils. Apply a thin layer to ulcers and wounds when the inflammation has passed.
- Drugs to enhance immunity
- "Kathozal". 0.5-2.5 ml/cat, once. If necessary, repeat after 3-5 days.
- “Gamavit.” 0.3-0.5 ml/kg 1-3 times every 7 days. Course from 2 to 4 weeks.
- “Hemobalance. 0.25 ml/cat weighing up to 5 kg and 0.5 ml/cat over 5 kg, 2-3 times a week.
- For stomatitis that has developed against the background of autoimmune diseases, the following drugs may be prescribed:
- Cyclosporine. 7 mg/kg 1 time per day. The course is from 4 to 16 weeks (depending on the severity of the disease).
- “Prednisolone.” To suppress inflammation – 0.5 mg/kg 2 times a day. For complete treatment – 1-3 mg/kg twice a day.
- Painkillers and disinfectant sprays
— “API-SAN”, “Candioli”, “Zubastic”, “Oral-Relax”.
- Vitamins
Interesting materials
Stomatitis in cats: causes, symptoms and treatment
Redness and ulceration in the mouth of cats often goes unnoticed. Until the very end, owners do not pay attention to the unpleasant odor from the pet’s mouth, decreased appetite and changed habits. Unfortunately, such inattention often leads to dire consequences. How to notice the disease in time and how to treat stomatitis in a cat in order to avoid complications of a seemingly frivolous illness?
Stomatitis or inflammation of the oral mucosa can affect not only the gums, but also the palate, lips and even the tongue. Most often, this disease affects those cats whose owners do not particularly care about their pet’s oral hygiene. The main causes of stomatitis in cats are tartar, caries, feeding cold or hot food, feeding rough food (microtrauma of the gums from sharp edges of bones, for example). In this case, as a rule, catarrhal stomatitis develops - the gums become swollen, red and bleed. Treatment of stomatitis in cats comes down to irrigating the oral cavity with astringent decoctions (sage, oak bark, chamomile) and changing the diet. If necessary, the veterinarian will remove tartar and remove teeth affected by caries.
Sometimes the cause of stomatitis can be a reaction to a chemical, even something as harmless as shampoo or dishwashing liquid. The pet can not only taste the odorous substance, but also simply get its paws dirty in it. When washing, chemicals get on the mucous membranes of the mouth, causing irritation. Ulcerative stomatitis in cats develops after contact with bleach, acids, vinegar essence and other aggressive substances. As a rule, in such cases, symptoms arise suddenly: sudden refusal to feed, red swollen gums, drooling. In addition to stomatitis, burns and serious poisoning are possible!
More complex cases
In addition to primary stomatitis, there is secondary stomatitis, which is more pronounced and more difficult to treat. There are many reasons: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system, hormonal disorders, diabetes, infections.
Infectious stomatitis in cats is especially dangerous, since for effective treatment it is necessary to quickly and accurately determine the cause of the disease. The culprits may be bacteria (for example, pyogenic bacilli), various fungi (usually the genus Candida) and viruses. Viral stomatitis in cats can be a consequence of panleukopenia, leukemia, calcivirosis, herpesvirosis, and immunodeficiency virus. All these diseases are deadly for your pet, so it is extremely important to conduct a full examination and treat not the consequence, but the cause of stomatitis.
Infectious stomatitis in cats, regardless of the cause, quickly progresses from catarrhal to ulcerative form. Oral problems are accompanied by symptoms of the primary disease:
- weakness, apathy
- gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, constipation)
- decrease or increase in temperature
- fever
- refusal of food and/or water
- tremor, convulsions
Ulcerative stomatitis in cats is a very painful phenomenon. The gums and/or tongue become covered with purulent, bloody wounds that heal poorly and become weeping. The pet constantly keeps its mouth slightly open, rubs its muzzle, eats poorly or does not eat at all, and drinks a lot. Whitish or reddish foam accumulates in the corners of the lips and on the chin; the pet does not pay attention to caring for its fur coat. If the symptoms of stomatitis in cats are the result of a viral disease, help is needed as an emergency.
If stomatitis is left untreated, the disease can become chronic. In this case, even correct and proper treatment does not bring results: the gums become inflamed seasonally, with the slightest change in diet, as a result of stress, etc.
Diagnosis and treatment
First of all, the veterinarian will examine the oral cavity to determine the extent of damage to the mucous membrane. If, in addition to the inflammatory processes occurring on the gums, palate and/or tongue, other symptoms are present, you will need to undergo complex tests: blood and urine biochemistry, oral rinsing, etc. A general diagnosis is necessary, since it is pointless to treat stomatitis in a cat that has, for example, distemper or herpes - first you need to take control of the cause of the disease.
Without a veterinarian's prescription, stomatitis cannot be treated with human medications. Today, pharmacies sell many effective ointments and gels for treating gums, but many of them can lead to severe poisoning. Remember that the reaction of the cat’s body to human medicine, even the most harmless medicine, is sometimes unpredictable!
To eliminate signs of stomatitis, the veterinarian will select an individual regimen. Treating ulcers and wounds with drugs such as traumeel, dentavidin, chlorhexedine, and lugol helps well. Irrigation from a spray bottle or rinsing with a decoction of herbs that have wound healing and antiseptic effects is effective. In severe cases, antibiotics and restorative drugs are prescribed.
To prevent treatment of stomatitis in cats from taking months, it is necessary to change the diet. Rough food is excluded from the menu, replacing dry food with canned food (you can soak crackers with warm water), meat and fish - puree, cereals, mousses and soups. The temperature of food and water is slightly above room temperature.
Stomatitis in kittens
Children are even more susceptible to this disease than adult animals. This is due to changing teeth and weak immunity. The development of stomatitis in a kitten can also be caused by improper or lack of oral hygiene, poor nutrition, lack of calcium, and various stresses.
It is necessary to monitor the appearance of plaque when changing teeth, the appearance of wounds in the mouth, closely monitor the pet’s well-being, diversify the diet by including vitamins and essential minerals, and periodically examine the baby.
Stomatitis in kittens, as a rule, can be easily cured with the help of solutions, antibiotics, and hygiene.
Chronic gingivostomatitis in cats
Feline gingivostomatitis is probably the most troublesome oral disease seen in veterinary practice. It is an extremely painful condition for a cat.
and a painful condition for the animal owner.
The mucous membrane of the mouth, especially on the back surface (sometimes called the pharynx, but more correctly called lingually - the palatal folds) - becomes inflamed and red and may even bleed. Affected cats exhibit various clinical signs: anorexia
, due to refusal to eat food (avoiding hard parts of food), ptyalism, halitosis, weight loss, abnormal swallowing and oral pain.
During a clinical examination, you can detect: gingivitis
, stomatitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the palate, glossitis, cheilitis, pharyngitis, and sometimes mandibular (mandibular) lymphadenopathy. Areas of the inflammatory process are often extensive, and the affected tissues are usually ulcerated, proliferative and hyperemic. When gingivostomatitis was first described, purebred cats were the first at risk, but over time it became clear that all cat breeds have the potential to develop this disease, including domestic mongrel cats (mixed breeds). Animals are susceptible to this disease at any age.
The good news is that most patients with gingivostomatitis can be cured or at least show noticeable improvement with treatment. But unfortunately, some patients will require lifelong therapy.
ETIOLOGY
Oral lesions associated with gingivostomatitis in cats are often mistaken for an oral infection; however, gingivostomatitis is not an infection, but an inflammation. The inflammatory lesions associated with feline gingivostomatitis are thought to be the result of a highly reactive immune system. The specific antigen to which the immune system reacts is not easy to determine and is often unknown. In most cases, removing all of a cat's teeth brings a positive effect, i.e. When teeth are extracted, an antigen that is associated with plaque (a bacteria carrier) is expected to be removed. However, since not all inflammation is controlled by tooth extraction, it must be recognized that multiple antigens may be involved. Other antigens that may have a role in causing inflammation associated with gingivostomatitis include viral, food, or environmental antigens. Autoimmune diseases can also be part of this disease.
DIAGNOSIS
Differential diagnoses for oral inflammation in cats include feline gingivostomatitis, periodontal disease
, secondary inflammation in feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs), certain viral diseases (herpes and/or
calicivirus
) that can cause oral inflammation and mucosal ulcers, eosinophilic granuloma and neoplasia.
A complete diagnostic examination of the patient is of paramount importance to make the correct diagnosis and initiate a specific treatment path. To begin this evaluation, a physical examination, complete blood count and biochemical tests
, and serologic testing for
feline leukemia virus
and
feline immunodeficiency virus
.
Making a diagnosis will also require a series of studies under sedation.
(anaesthesia).
It is necessary to perform an X-ray examination of the oral cavity
. Extirpate teeth that are susceptible to resorption and teeth with periodontal diseases. Also, all parts of the root/roots are extracted (if they are identified radiographically). Finally, obtain samples of inflamed tissue by biopsy in several places and submit them for histological examination. The results of histological examination in cats with feline gingivostomatitis show plasmacytic stomatitis or lymphocytic-plasmocytic stomatitis. There may be concurrent neutrophilic inflammation or even a superficial bacterial component, but the predominant cell population will be plasma cells and lymphocytes.
TREATMENT
In rare cases, simply maintaining oral hygiene will keep this condition under control. A home care program may include daily tooth brushing and the use of Miramistin solution (topically), as well as long-term or long-term intermittent (pulse) antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics whose spectrum of action includes gram-negative anaerobic bacteria are a good choice. Antibiotic therapy often produces favorable results initially; however, the benefits of antibiotic therapy appear to diminish over time. Cats that have had this disease for a long time are usually the most unpromising patients for home care. If home care alone does not work or is not possible, medical or surgical treatment should be considered.
Unfortunately, drug treatments include drugs with a low chance of success or drugs with serious side effects (eg, corticosteroids.) A large number of topical medications have been tried on affected tissue in the mouth, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Long-term use of corticosteroids is not ideal because cats can develop serious side effects, including diabetes mellitus
and iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoidance of corticosteroids is especially important when treating animals infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.
Surgical treatment Extraction of all teeth (or sometimes just molars and premolars) can be beneficial in the treatment of feline caudal gingivostomatitis. In one study, 60% of patients with this pathology who underwent extraction were clinically cured, and another 20% had significant improvement. This procedure is labor intensive and will not be successful if any tooth root fragments remain. It is highly recommended that you have all the necessary equipment in place before performing an extraction. The availability of dental radiography equipment and specialized instruments cannot be overstated. It is impossible to do without preoperative and postoperative monitoring and support of patients, as well as appropriate analgesia. Patients with gingivostomatitis requiring surgical treatment are usually referred to a veterinary specialist. When removing teeth to treat gingivostomatitis, the question arises whether the incisors and canines should be extracted. Removal of incisors and canines is recommended if they are diseased or if the surrounding tissue is noticeably inflamed. If the incisors and canines are healthy and the inflammation is limited to the caudal part of the mouth, these teeth can be saved.
Protracted gingivostomatitis
Even after all teeth and roots have been removed, about 20% of patients will continue to experience pain and signs of oral inflammation. In these cases, it is protracted and patients may require lifelong treatment. In protracted cases, none of the suggested therapies work consistently, but multiple treatments can be used to improve quality of life and reduce discomfort. Repeated radiographic examination of the dental arches is necessary to exclude retained root fragments or reactive periodontal tissue. If the patient's canines or incisors were not removed initially, they should be removed now.
Types of stomatitis and their signs
Redness of the inflamed jaw membranes and rather unpleasant-smelling small ulcers in the oral cavity of a furry pet are the primary and general symptoms of stomatitis in cats.
Subsequently, profusely bleeding blue or scarlet swelling may appear. The disease is actively spreading in the mouth. The animal's teeth become loose and then fall out completely. At the same time, sepsis can easily kill a cat. However, when talking about the signs of feline stomatitis, one cannot fail to take into account the main types of inflammatory process.
- The initial stage of inflammation is called catarrhal stomatitis in cats. This disease is characterized by increased thirst, increased salivation, special caution when chewing food by the cat, or refusal to eat it altogether. At the same time, on the mucous membrane of the furry pet’s oral cavity, you can notice strong redness, as well as a grayish coating. Catarrhal inflammation is mainly benign. With timely and qualified elimination of the cause, the cat’s oral cavity heals quickly and without complications. If treatment is delayed, self-medication or the prescription of incorrect and ineffective medications, catarrh risks developing into deeper and more severe forms with the appearance of vesicles, ulcers and aphthae.
- A characteristic symptom of ulcerative stomatitis in cats is swelling of reddened gums, which may bleed when pressed. From the gums, the inflammation spreads to the jaw bones, seriously affecting the cat's teeth. Lack of treatment is fraught with the appearance of sepsis.
- The most insidious form of inflammation of the oral cavity is considered to be gangrenous stomatitis in cats. With this disease, not only the gums swell, but also the pet’s lips and cheeks. At the same time, the cat’s submandibular lymph nodes will be slightly enlarged, and the purr itself will behave extremely apathetically.
- Uremic damage to the oral cavity, in addition to inflammation of the cat’s gums, is also manifested by a special “smell” due to a malfunction of the kidneys.
- With phlegmonous inflammation, pus will spread under the mucous membrane, which can also quickly lead to sepsis.
- Viral stomatitis is usually preceded by calcivirus, leukemia, panleukopenia or herpesvirus.
- The result of chronic inflammation of the oral cavity in cats is usually untreated catarrhal or ulcerative stomatitis. This disease is mostly sluggish, its exacerbations will be rare or seasonal.
When to urgently contact a veterinarian
A veterinarian should be contacted in all cases of detection of areas of inflammation in the cat’s oral cavity, even if their origin seems obvious. This is due both to the possibility of complications in the course of a simple catarrhal form of stomatitis due to the aggressive composition of the microflora of the cat’s oral cavity, and to the need to eliminate local factors that caused the development of the disease in primary stomatitis, and even more so to treat the background disease if the stomatitis is secondary.
