by Angie Pollock

Created on: December 24, 2011   Last Updated: December 26, 2011

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth. In cats, the inflammation can affect the mouth, gums, and/or upper area of the throat. Feline stomatitis causes severe pain especially when the cat tries to open its mouth, eat or groom. There are various causes of feline stomatitis which are treated differently depending on the cause.

Causes of feline stomatitis

There are no proven reasons for the cause of

feline stomatitis. According to Holly Nash, DVM, MS for Pet Education, “it is primarily thought that some cats may have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to bacterial plaque and are called 'plaque-intolerant.' All we know is that cats with this disease have an abnormal immune response.”

In some cases, the condition is connected to a fungus known as Candida albicans. This form of inflammation, referred to as fungal stomatitis or mycotic stomatitis, is uncommon in cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that this type of stomatitis “is usually thought to be associated with other oral diseases, longterm antibiotic therapy, or immunosuppression.”

Symptoms of feline stomatitis

The signs of feline stomatitis range from bad breath to excessive drooling. Cats with this condition may also have difficulty swallowing and will eventually lose weight due to their inability to eat. As the disease progresses, cats will generally become aggressive, irritable, and antisocial. Their behavior will dramatically change. With mycotic stomatitis, the tongue or mucous membranes will display whitish cream-like deposits.

Treatment for feline stomatitis

Feline stomatitis treatments vary depending on the cause. Due to the pain involved, veterinarians often have to sedate the cat prior to examination of the mouth. A thorough examination and health history will be evaluated with other diseases such as renal failure and viral infections taken into account.

The goal in treating feline stomatitis is removing the cause of the inflammation. This may require removal of some or all of the teeth. The Merck Veterinary Manual affirms that “The surgical treatment of choice is full-mouth extractions (including any root tips or fragments), although fortunately, the canine teeth can usually be salvaged.”

Antibiotics are administered to treat any bacterial infections. Cats that are unable to eat may require intravenous fluids and/or a feeding tube. Dr. Nash explains that it is “imperative to eliminate plaque in these cats.” This requires an intensive oral hygiene regimen from the pet owner which includes regular dental cleaning by a veterinarian and daily brushing at home. A veterinarian may recommend a special diet to help prevent and control plaque.

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