Stomatitis in a dog

Stomatitis in dogs is a fairly common condition, so it's helpful for owners to understand in advance what this condition is, how it manifests itself, what causes it, and how to help their pet if it becomes ill.

Stomatitis is an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa. The inflammation can be an independent condition or a symptom of another, most often infectious, condition.

Reasons

What can trigger stomatitis in dogs? The most common causes of the disease are:

• Very cold or hot food;
• Injuries;
• Caries;
• Tartar.

Speaking of infectious diseases that cause inflammation of the oral mucosa, it's worth mentioning leukemia, leptospirosis, and distemper. Stomatitis in dogs can also be caused by the Candida fungus (you've probably heard of thrush). Causes of gum injury include chewing on bones or sticks, or eating very hard food (containing sharp particles). A malocclusion can also trigger stomatitis.

Types of stomatitis

Stomatitis in dogs can be classified into several groups. Based on the course of the disease, it can be acute or chronic. Based on its location, stomatitis in dogs can be diffuse or focal. Based on the type of inflammation of the oral mucosa, it is divided into atrophic, ulcerative, catarrhal, phlegmonous, and gangrenous.

Atrophic stomatitis

With the atrophic form of inflammation, blisters containing clear fluid, as well as bleeding wounds, appear on the animal's gums and the mucous membranes of the cheeks, palate, and tongue. The pain is excruciating, and the animal refuses dry or any other hard food.

This type of inflammation occurs due to poor maintenance and injury to the gums.

Ulcerative

Most often, bleeding ulcers appear on the gums (but can also appear on the cheeks and tongue). The tissue around them becomes severely inflamed. This condition is caused by stress, poor nutrition, a weakened immune system, hormonal imbalances, tumors, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Phlegmonous

With this type of stomatitis, the animal develops phlegmonous (purulent) inflammation. This is dangerous, as pus always carries the risk of sepsis. Phlegmonous stomatitis in dogs is a complication of other types of mucosal inflammation.

Catarrhal

This type of stomatitis usually begins. No noticeable changes occur. The gums and oral mucosa swell, become puffy, and red. A gray coating appears. If scraped off, the ulcerated surface is revealed. If treatment is not started promptly, complications develop.

Most often, this type of stomatitis develops due to tartar, caries, injury to the gums by hard objects, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (including the liver), as well as diseases of the immune system.

Gangrenous

Gangrenous stomatitis is the most dangerous type, as it involves not just ulcers but also necrotic tissue around them. This necrosis is extremely dangerous to the pet's health and life (even leading to sepsis). It develops for the same reasons as ulcerative stomatitis.

First aid for stomatitis in dogs

If the owner notices the following changes in their pet, this is a reason to contact a veterinary dentist:

• changes in habitual behavior;

• apathy and lethargy;

• bad breath;

• pain while eating;

• refusal to play;

• visible changes in the oral mucosa.

Self-treating stomatitis is not recommended. This fails to address the underlying cause, and relapses become virtually inevitable. Furthermore, if treatment and antibiotic therapy are started before a specialist examination, symptoms may subside, significantly complicating an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of stomatitis

The symptoms of stomatitis in dogs are difficult to ignore (for ease of understanding, we have prepared several photos with examples of the disease below):

• In the initial stage, redness of the mucous membrane, swelling and tenderness of the gums, and excessive salivation are observed. Upon closer inspection, a grayish coating is visible on the gums, which may bleed even with gentle pressure.
• Then, the overall body temperature rises (and the fever becomes quite severe). The animal's appetite decreases, and lethargy is observed.
• The dog's mouth will have an unpleasant odor (somewhat reminiscent of rot), and ulcers or pustules may appear on the gums, making eating extremely painful. The dog may begin drinking excessively.
• If stomatitis in a dog is caused by tartar, it's possible that teeth will become loose. The dog's breath will be foul-smelling. The roots of the teeth may become exposed.

Treating a dog for stomatitis should always begin after confirming the diagnosis and identifying the underlying causes. Without addressing the underlying causes, it's impossible to fully cure the animal. Treatment will only suppress the symptoms, but the gum problem itself will remain. Comprehensive treatment is essential! So, how do you treat stomatitis in a dog?

Dog treatment

Antiviral and antibacterial medications produce good results. However, if a fungus is the cause of the infection, antifungal medications are essential. The gums themselves need to be cleaned of pus and dead tissue (this can be done with antiseptic and astringent solutions). Ointments containing metronidazole can be used. It effectively protects damaged mucous membranes.

Don't forget about strengthening your immune system. The stronger it is, the faster your pet will recover.

Be sure to switch your pet to a "soft" diet (porridges, soups, broths, pates). The food should be at room temperature. Water should be provided ad libitum, but it shouldn't be cold or hot, so as not to irritate the inflamed mucous membranes.

Prevention

Prevention of stomatitis in dogs is simple in most cases.

1. Do not let your animal chew bones or eat food that is too hard, as this can injure the gums.
2. Monitor the food temperature. It should be slightly warmer than room temperature. Avoid feeding directly from the pan, microwave, or refrigerator. This is harmful not only to the gums but also to the stomach (it can cause gastritis).
3. Don't forget about vaccinations and deworming. This helps strengthen the immune system and protect your pet.
4. Visit your veterinarian regularly to avoid missing any hidden illnesses.
5. Brush your cat's teeth after meals. This will prevent cavities and tartar buildup, which can lead to stomatitis.

If you have any questions about stomatitis in dogs, please leave a comment and we'll do our best to answer them!

Read also:

• Why do dogs lose teeth?
• Ultrasonic teeth cleaning for dogs
• Periodontal disease in dogs: symptoms and treatment