What is gingivostomatitis?
Gingivostomatitis is severe and painful inflammation of oral tissues, including gingiva, mucosa and tongue. It is a chronic condition that can significantly impact a cat’s quality of life and overall health.
What causes gingivostomatitis?
The exact cause of gingivostomatitis in cats is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a multifactorial condition with both infectious and immune-mediated components. Factors such as dental plaque and tartar buildup, viral infections (such as feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus), and an abnormal immune response to oral bacteria are thought to contribute to the development of gingivostomatitis.
What are common signs and symptoms to look for?
Cats with gingivostomatitis may exhibit symptoms such as red or swollen gums, ulcers in the mouth, drooling, bad breath, difficulty eating or reluctance to eat, pawing at the mouth, and weight loss. The condition can be very painful and may cause the cat to be reluctant to groom or play.
How is gingivostomatitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of gingivostomatitis is based on a complete oral exam, evaluation of the severity of the oral inflammation, and biopsy of affected oral tissue. It is important to rule out other potential causes of oral disease, such as oral tumors.
How is gingivostomatitis treated?
The treatment of choice for gingivostomatitis is full-mouth dental extractions. Many cats require extended medical management after full-mouth dental extractions with pain medications, antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and/or anti-inflammatories.
What is the prognosis for gingivostomatitis?
The prognosis for cats with gingivostomatitis can vary depending on the severity of the condition, the cat’s overall health, and the response to full-mouth dental extractions. Approximately 66-70% of cats improve with surgical extractions. Some cats may require ongoing management to control symptoms and prevent recurrence of inflammation. There is no current means of predicting responders
Gingivostomatitis Treatment for Cats in Houston, Texas
If you suspect that your cat has gingivostomatitis, give us a call today to schedule an oral exam!
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