Stomatitis is a severe form of gum disease that can cause your cat quite a bit of pain. Our New Ulm vets explain the potential causes of stomatitis, how to recognize it in your kitty, and how it is treated.
What is stomatitis in cats?
Feline stomatitis is an excruciatingly painful inflammation and ulceration of the gums, cheeks, and tongue of your cat. The open sores caused by this mouth condition can cause significant discomfort and pain in your cat, leading to food avoidance or refusal. 10% of domesticated cats are affected by this vexing disease.
While some breeds are more susceptible to developing this condition, like Persians and Himalayans, any cat can develop stomatitis. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent your cat from ever developing stomatitis.
Causes of Feline Stomatitis
The cause of stomatitis is mostly unknown.
Some professionals believe that your cat's stomatitis is caused by viral and bacterial components, but the exact source of this type of bacteria is not known.
Inflammatory dental disease, such as periodontal disease, has also been linked to the development of feline stomatitis, so it's important to prioritize your cat's dental health.
Most vets will advise that you can help your cat avoid developing this painful condition by brushing their teeth regularly. Some breeds can have their teeth brushed once daily to remove food particles and any bacteria, while other breeds should only have their teeth cleaned once a week or during professional grooming appointments. Consult your veterinarian for what is the best at-home dental routine for your kitty.
Symptoms of Stomatitis in Cats
The most obvious symptom of stomatitis in cats is a change in their eating habits. Cats with stomatitis are often in excruciating pain, making it difficult to eat, so they will avoid it. Food avoidance can become so severe in some cases that cats become malnourished because it is so painful for them to eat.
Other stomatitis symptoms in cats to watch out for include:
- Red patches/blisters of the mouth
- Oral bleeding
- Foul odor of the cat's mouth
- Excessive salivation/drooling
- Less grooming than is typical
- Dropping food/crying out while eating
Treatment for Stomatitis in Cats
When you bring your cat to the vet for irritation or bleeding of the mouth, they will first perform an oral exam. If your cat has mild stomatitis, at-home care might be enough to treat it. Severe cases require surgical intervention. Consult your vet for a better understanding of how to best treat your kitty.
If your veterinarian says surgery is necessary, they will likely recommend the extraction of the affected teeth in order to make your cat comfortable again and allow the area to heal.
In addition to general routine wellness exams, dental checkups will probably be added to your cat's medical regimen. The severity of your cat's periodontal disease will dictate how frequently they need dental exams. Again, your vet may advise tooth extraction if your adult cat's teeth are crowded or if they still have "kitten" teeth.
Aside from medical intervention, your vet should show you how to properly clean your cats teeth and schedule follow-up appointments to review your feline's dental health.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.