Stomatitis in cats: causes and treatments

Stomatitis in cats is a cat disease. It leads to inflammation of the oral mucosa tissue. (It is closely related to gingivitis, which is gingivitis along the teeth.) It appears as red tissue and grows in the mouth, usually in the back corners of the mouth. Because stomatitis makes cats extremely painful, they will often refuse to eat and may have personality changes. They may also drool with blood and lose weight.

What causes stomatitis in cats?

Unknown cause of stomatitis. The main cause is due to chronic viral infections such as calicivirus and herpesvirus. Cats with weak immune systems - possibly a result of FIV and FeLV infections - are more susceptible to chronic viral infections. Other things that can lead to stomatitis include immune-mediated diseases, ingestion of stimulants (such as plant debris) and diseases like kidney failure. Another cause of stomatitis in cats is Bartonella henselae, which is certainly present in some cats with stomatitis, but also in many cats without stomatitis.

Treatment options for cats with stomatitis

There are many ways to check for stomatitis in cats. The ideal way, in most cases, is to check for teeth that are involved in inflammation. Usually, all the teeth in a cat's mouth. Many cats without teeth can eat both dry and canned food without any problems.

The reason to check your teeth is because you can remove plaque from your teeth. Bacterial plaque can lead to immune response and inflammation. Brushing your teeth is often not enough because the plaque returns very quickly. Brushing your cat's teeth can reduce plaque formation, but it is almost impossible to brush a cat's mouth with stomatitis because it is very painful.
Along with dental examinations, long-term antibiotics are often important to eliminate the bacteria that contribute to inflammation. These antibiotics may need to be taken for up to six weeks. This is also an important step if you are unable to remove all the dental plaques.

Usually, if long-term removal of plaque and antibiotics is not enough. In this situation, an anti-inflammatory type (usually prednisone) is needed. Prednisone may be given by mouth or by injection. The injection seems to be more effective. Unfortunately, there are significant side effects to long-term prednisone use in cats, including cats with diabetes and congestive heart disease. Cyclosporine is another medication that can reduce inflammation due to the body's reaction to gum tissue. With either drug, regular monitoring is needed to make sure the medication does not cause any problems.

Sometimes, this treatment is not enough and stomatitis still exists. In this case, some veterinarians have been successful with sterilizing mouthwash, with chlorhexidine disinfected in a 0.12% solution. In addition, some veterinary dentists will perform laser surgery on inflamed tissue. Successful results with laser procedures are very expensive
In the short term, stomatitis in cats can be an annoying disease for both cat owners and veterinarians. Treatment is expensive and usually will not cure completely. For those who cannot afford it, there are many options like taking antibiotics and prednisone regularly that can provide a good quality of life for cats for many years.