Feline stomatitis is also known as feline chronic gingivostomatitis. This refers to the inflammation of a cat’s mouth. Unfortunately, this condition is prominent in cats and affects all feline ages, genders, and breeds. What owners need to know is that it is a painful condition to be in, so knowing at least one cat mouth sores home remedy would greatly help. Like all dentists, vets suggest checking the health of the gums and mouth of pets to keep their health in good condition.
What’s Feline Stomatitis?
Cat stomatitis is when a cat is in chronic and severe pain accompanied by inflammation of the gums. Data shows that about 4% of the cat population is suffering from this viral infection. Feline stomatitis comes in two different types. The first one is the gum inflammation around that cat’s teeth. Meanwhile, the second type is known as faucitis or caudal stomatitis; it infects the back part of the mouth, specifically where the upper and lower jaws touch.
Mouth Ulcers in Cats
Cat mouth ulcers and mouth sores are serious health conditions that might lead to life-threatening situations if left untreated. It is one of the few things that causes extreme pain in cats. Your cat may show visible signs of pain because of mouth ulcers. And we all know that cats are not very fond of expressing themselves. One of its symptoms that most cat owners find odd is that their cats seem to despise food served to them. According to veterinarians, this may be because cats know that eating might cause pain in their mouth, thus resulting in them hissing at their meals.
Signs and Symptoms
Apart from noticeable behavioral changes, additional signs and symptoms of stomatitis may also include the following:
- crying while opening the mouth
- difficulty eating
- loss of appetite
- sudden weight loss
- excessive drooling
- symptoms of gingivitis
- pawing in the face
- fur loss
- visible lesions or mouth ulcer
- obvious discomfort
- bad breath
- redness of gums
Causes
The root cause for stomatitis is yet to be determined. Researchers are still trying to find answers about how the virus alters the cat’s immune system. What’s clear is that bacteria and periodontal disease play a role in disease development, but what scientists don’t know is the unlikely response of the immune system to it.
Furthermore, some studies propose a significant link between stomatitis and feline calicivirus, a viral infection that results in upper respiratory disease in cats. Other conditions such as feline immunodeficiency virus FIV or feline leukemia virus may also play a role in its occurrence. To this date, doctors are only sure of one thing. It’s the fact that cats appear to have questionable reactions to bacteria and plaque that causes mouth inflammation.
Mouth inflammation has also been associated with the following diseases:
- Feline herpesvirus-1
- Bartonellosis
Diagnosis
The vet will start the diagnosis by studying the cat’s medical history, and this would include dental procedures done in the past or by dental problems that have been diagnosed before. Your cat’s mouth will also be thoroughly evaluated to know the levels of bacteria in the mouth and the severity of the stomatitis. During the oral examination, the cat may be put under anesthesia, and this will allow the vet to take a look at the cat’s mouth freely. Once inflammation and ulcers are confirmed, the veterinarian might suggest different tests to determine what causes them.
The tests may differ, but they will most likely include the following:
- Biopsy
- Systemic disease evaluation
- Retroviral test
- Histopathological evaluation
- Virus isolation test
Treatment for Stomatitis in Cats
As we all know by now, there is no specific root cause for stomatitis, hence, making it difficult for vets to find one particular treatment for it. In short, there is no specific cure that will save your cat from this painful experience. However, your vet will stop at nothing until your cat is treated accordingly. They may try different methods; the result will depend on your cat’s reaction to the treatment and medications given.
Conventional Therapeutic Methods
Listed below are the standard treatments performed in a veterinary clinic:
An oral examination followed by a dental cleaning.
In most cases, dental cleaning is the first step in treating mouth diseases. During the procedure, the vet will put the cat to sleep. Once the cat is sedated, the doctor will remove all the plaque and tartar in its teeth. This is done to reduce the adverse reaction of the immune system to inflammation. The veterinarian will also take this opportunity to check the inside of the cat’s mouth.
Antibiotic Prescription
If needed, your cat’s doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight off the oral bacterial flora of your pet. However, pet owners must monitor the progress of their cats after taking antibiotics. Most cats are not thoroughly treated by antibiotics, although they can manage the symptoms at some point. Let the veterinary clinic know if your cat has shown an allergic reaction as well.
Tooth extractions
If the cat’s case is severe, a dental extraction may be recommended. This might differ according to the cat’s status. Of course, tooth extraction is the very last option. Even though cats can live with missing teeth, veterinarians do not always suggest this procedure. But if it’s the only way to save a cat from dying due to starvation, the doctor will highly consider it.
Home Remedy for Cats Mouth Sores
As a cat owner, you can also find ways to make sure that your cat s comfortable despite the inflammation. While the following tips may not completely alleviate pain, they will most likely help in keeping your cat free of new infections:
Practice oral hygiene
This may be a challenging task but brushing your cat’s teeth is the key to better oral health. Do this twice a day to keep germs at bay.
Provide nutritious foods
Make sure that your cat’s diet includes all the nutrition they need to stay healthy. Vets also suggest giving them the right size of kibbles to clean their teeth.
References:
Here’s how to treat cat stomatitis naturally at home.
https://www.homeoanimal.com/blogs/blog-pet-health/treat-cat-stomatitis-naturally-at-home
Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Cats.
https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/mouth-inflammation-ulcers
