Stomatitis in cats is also known as gingivitis and is a chronic infectious disease and slow course, which despite need treatment and various care, often goes unnoticed when it is beginning to manifest.
This is a pathology that has a high incidence among domestic felines and although the exact cause is not known, it is believed to be due to an alteration in the immune system and that it can be triggered by infections of viral type. Do you want to know more about stomatitis in cats? Then don't stop reading this AnimalWised article.
What is stomatitis in cats?
Feline gingivitis or stomatitis is an infectious disease that also causes inflammation, its evolution is very slow and unfortunately it is a chronic disease, however, the sooner it is detected, the easier it will be to preserve our pet's quality of life as much as possible.
This disease will progressively cause lesions in the mucosa of the oral cavity and their consequences will be more serious the longer we go without noticing this situation. In order not to realize that your cat is sick when the signs are already evident, you should spend time with him and check his mouthon a regular basis.
Symptoms of stomatitis in cats
Stomatitis begins with a significant gum inflammation, from then on it evolves slowly and can cause the following symptoms:
- Ulcerative lesions in the oral cavity and tongue
- Excessive salivation
- Bad breath
- Difficulty eating
- Weightloss
- Pain that the cat shows when it refuses to be touched to open its mouth
- Loss of teeth
This is a disease that decreases our cat's well-being as it progresses and can even cause symptoms incompatible with a good quality of life If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important that you go to the vet as soon as possible.
Treatment of stomatitis in cats
The veterinarian can carry out diagnostic tests that generally consist of analyzing a small part of the affected oral tissue, in the case of stomatitis, these tests will show ulcerative lesions and an elevated number of white blood cells or leukocytes.
The treatment will vary depending on each cat and the degree of infection it presents, although it is very important that you know that stomatitis is chronic and has no cure, therefore, the drugs that can be used will be used solely to relieve the symptoms present.
To reduce inflammation The use of cortisone is not recommended as it may bring more risks than benefits. In any case, this treatment must be prescribed and reviewed periodically by the veterinarian so that the necessary adjustments can be made.
Care for cats with stomatitis
At home it is important to adopt certain cares that will help your cat feel as good as possible:
- You should change your cat's diet and offer him a feed with a pleasant texture that he can eat without much difficulty.
- On many occasions your cat will not want to eat on its own, so it is important that you stay next to it and take it to the feeder, encouraging it to try a bite.
- If your cat has lost a lot of weight and also eats little, it may be convenient to give him some nutritional supplement, but always under veterinary supervision.
