Stomatitis in Cats: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth. It is therefore different from gum inflammation in cats, where the inflammation is limited to the gums.
Stomatitis is associated with severe pain for affected cats and should therefore be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
In the following we will explain the causes of stomatitis in cats, the symptoms and the treatment.
Possible causes of stomatitis in cats
It’s not clear what causes stomatitis in cats and there could be various different reasons. These include various viral infectious diseases, such as FIP or FIV, as well as the increased colonisation of bacteria due to an injury in the mouth.
It is also thought that stomatitis in cats may be caused by plaque bacteria, tooth misalignment, allergies and other immune system problems. In addition, some cats may also have a genetic predisposition.
It’s always advisable to have a blood test done in cats with stomatitis to exclude common viral infections as a cause.
Detecting a stomatitis in cats
If your cat suffers from stomatitis, this can be noticeable by numerous complaints. They are similar to the symptoms seen in cats with gingivitis. However, in the case of stomatitis, the inflammation is spread throughout the entire oral cavity.
The typical symptoms of stomatitis in cats include
- The mucous membranes of the mouth are reddened and swollen.
- The cat has bad breath.
- Ulcers form in the mouth.
- The cat salivates and smacks frequently.
- The lower jaw rattles when yawning.
- The cat does not eat and loses weight.
- The food is occasionally hissed at.
- The quadruped often scratches its mouth.
- The cat holds its head crooked when eating.
Cats with stomatitis must go to the vet
Stomatitis is associated with severe pain. If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should make an appointment with your vet.
The sooner the inflammation in your cat's mouth is treated, the sooner he or she will get over the pain.
Treatment of stomatitis in cats
The necessary treatment measures depend primarily on the severity of the stomatitis and its exact cause. Usually the vet will first perform a professional dental cleaning to remove tartar from your cat.
After that, the veterinarian will most likely prescribe an antibiotic for your four-legged friend. With a bit of luck, this will be enough to eliminate the cat's stomatitis in a timely manner. However, in the case of a severe course, it is quite possible that antibiotics will have to be administered over a longer period of time.
In addition, cortisone or interferons are sometimes used temporarily to treat severe or chronic stomatitis in cats. Both, however, carry a not to be underestimated risk of side effects, which is why neither cortisone nor interferons should be the first choice for treatment.
Prognosis for cats with stomatitis
The treatment of a cat with stomatitis often requires a lot of patience. Despite all efforts, there is no guarantee for a complete recovery. Depending on the cause, it is quite possible that the inflammation of the mouth mucous membranes cannot be completely eliminated.
If conventional therapies are not successful, it may therefore be advisable to consider pulling all teeth or the permanent administration of cortisone to alleviate the symptoms.
Preventing stomatitis in cats
Due to the many different causes that are possible for stomatitis in cats, a complete protection is of course not possible. Nevertheless, as a cat owner you can do a lot to at least significantly reduce the risk.
You should pay particular attention to good dental hygiene. The healthier your cat's teeth are, the less likely it is that inflammation of the mouth will occur.
In addition to feeding your cat high-quality cat food without sugar, it is therefore advisable to supplement your cat's diet with I love my cat Dental Powder. This natural preparation was especially developed for the daily dental care of cats
Thanks to its special composition, our Dental Powder can reliably remove plaque and thus make a decisive contribution to a permanently healthy cat's teeth.
Stomatitis in cats - our conclusion
Stomatitis in cats is a serious matter. This is because the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth is extremely painful and can even make food intake a real pain.
You should take any symptoms seriously and visit a veterinarian with your pet as soon as possible so that he or she can initiate the appropriate treatment measures.
You should also pay attention to your cat's dental health to at least reduce the likelihood of stomatitis in your cat. In our assortment you will find healthy cat food for this purpose as well as the appropriate food supplement in the form of our Dental Powder.
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