Stomatitis in cats

Like humans, cats sometimes develop inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, one of which is stomatitis. This condition is accompanied by the formation of painful ulcers in the affected areas, causing severe discomfort to the animal.

We invite you to learn more about the causes of stomatitis in cats, its diagnosis, and treatment methods.

Causes of stomatitis in cats

Stomatitis can have many causes. Depending on the underlying cause of the inflammatory process, the disease is divided into two types:

1. Primary – occurs as a result of the impact of negative factors on the mucous membrane.
2. Secondary – appears as an addition to an existing disease in the animal.

The main causes of primary stomatitis in cats include:

• poor hygiene, which in turn leads to the proliferation of pathological microorganisms that provoke an inflammatory process;
• microtraumas, which an animal can get while playing or when gnawing on bones with sharp edges;
• feeding errors – food that is too hot or too cold;
• chemical burns, which can be caused by contact with mucous membranes with household chemicals or aggressive medications for external use.

Important! The oral mucosa is very delicate, and any aggressive contact can trigger an inflammatory process, which without proper treatment quickly progresses to stomatitis, as cats' saliva contains a large number of different microorganisms.

Also at risk are animals that already have problems in the oral cavity:

• carious teeth;
• dental plaque;
• tartar;
• periodontitis.

Thus, by eliminating the provoking factors through regular hygiene procedures and, if necessary, hardware techniques available in veterinary offices, the likelihood of primary stomatitis can be minimized.

Secondary stomatitis must be treated in conjunction with the underlying condition. In most cases, when the primary condition is cured or remission is achieved, stomatitis also subsides.

Secondary stomatitis in cats can occur due to the following conditions:

• parasitic infections;
• diseases caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria;
• diabetes mellitus;
• hormonal imbalance;
• disorders in the functioning of the immune system.

Types of stomatitis

Depending on the location of the inflammatory process, a distinction is made between:

Symptoms

Depending on the nature of the inflammation, the following types of disease are distinguished:

Important! The severity of stomatitis symptoms, as well as their progression, depend on the underlying cause and the animal's health.

You can suspect that your pet has stomatitis if the following main symptoms are present:

1. lack of appetite and strong thirst;
2. increased salivation (sometimes saliva may be pink in color);
3. enlarged lymph nodes in the lower jaw;
4. increase in body temperature;
5. bad breath.

Upon closer examination, redness of the mucous membrane or the presence of ulcers may be noticed.

Diagnostics

Since stomatitis in cats can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, the most important step towards curing your pet is diagnosing the cause of the inflammatory process.

Diagnosis of stomatitis in cats may include:

• collecting anamnesis to identify the possible cause;
• visual examination (if necessary, using anesthesia);
• mucosal culture for various types of pathogenic microflora;
• blood and urine tests;
• virological tests.

Treatment

Important! Do not self-medicate. Advanced cases can be life-threatening. Folk remedies are often ineffective for severe mucosal lesions.

Depending on the type of infection detected, your doctor will prescribe a course of medication, which may include:

• antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal agents;
• analgesics to reduce pain;
• cleaning and antiseptic treatment of the mucous membrane;
• drugs to boost immunity.

For complex, advanced cases of stomatitis, a veterinarian may recommend inpatient treatment with 24-hour monitoring, medications, and supportive care via IV. In some cases, the animal may also require surgery (tooth or mucosal removal). However, such cases are rare. Treatment of uncomplicated catarrhal and ulcerative stomatitis in cats is most often done at home with scheduled veterinary visits. In this case, the owner's primary responsibility is to strictly follow the instructions. You can alleviate your pet's condition and promote a faster recovery by following these simple guidelines:

1. only liquid food during the treatment period;
2. complete refusal of milk (the milk environment is favorable for the development of bacteria);
3. feeding in small portions through a syringe (without a needle) if there is a complete refusal to eat;
4. treatment of the mucous membrane with a 1% solution of soda, Lugol's solution or herbal decoctions (calendula, string, oak, sage, chamomile) on the recommendation of a doctor.
5. constant monitoring of the animal's condition.

Remember that when treating stomatitis, folk remedies should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and under the supervision of a veterinarian. Chamomile will not relieve inflammation caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Furthermore, an improperly chosen rinse solution can worsen the animal's condition.

Important! Stomatitis can be contagious. Its infectious forms can easily be transmitted from animal to animal, as well as from animal to human. Therefore, it is crucial to isolate other pets in the household from the large cat during treatment and strictly observe personal hygiene rules.

A video on how to properly treat a cat's mouth with Lugol's solution:

Prevention

Preventing stomatitis in cats is much easier than treating this painful and dangerous condition. The basic rules are as follows:

1. High-quality teeth cleaningIt's important to get your pet used to this procedure from puppyhood, but you can also try introducing it to an adult pet. Read more about brushing teeth in the article. Brushing a cat's teeth.
2. Regular inspectionThere shouldn't be any buildup, plaque, cavities, or, especially, tartar. If you notice anything, take your pet to the vet immediately.
3. Deworming and vaccination according to age.
4. Individual bowlsNever feed a cat from someone else's plate.

If you have any questions about stomatitis in cats, please leave them in the comments. We'll do our best to answer them!

Read also:

• Gangrenous stomatitis in cats
• Pyoderma in cats
• Mastopathy in cats