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Gingivitis / Stomatitis
What does gingivitis/stomatitis actually mean?
Cats often suffer from inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and inflammation of the oral mucosa (stomatitis). Since these diseases are very painful and have a negative impact on health, they should definitely be treated by a veterinarian.
What are the causes of gingivitis/stomatitis?
Inflammation of the gums often occurs in close connection with tartar and poor oral hygiene. The bacteria living in tartar penetrate further into the spaces between teeth and gum pockets and cause a painful inflammation that persists as long as the tartar is not removed.
But there are also other chronic gum and oral cavity infections whose exact causes are not known. Triggers such as viral diseases (caliciviruses are suspected), bacteria, autoimmune diseases and a genetic disposition (predisposition) probably play a role here.
How do you recognize gum disease?
Although gingivitis/stomatitis is very painful, cats can hide it well and for a long time. In many cats, the disease is only noticed in an advanced stage, as the cat initially appears to withdraw more and sleep, which is often attributed to advanced age. It is also underestimated that the inflammation can occur in young cats during the change of teeth.
In addition to increased redness and swelling of the gums and oral mucosa, sick cats often have bad breath. Unusual behaviors such as salivating, clicking the jaw, hissing at or dropping food, tilting the head when eating, reducing food intake or running away while eating also occur.
What are the consequences of gingivitis/stomatitis?
Inflammation of the gums and mucous membranes of the mouth is always very painful. The consequences can be shaggy fur, weight loss, tooth loss and inflammation in the jaw area. This is often accompanied by behavioral changes that are noticeable both in food intake and in social areas (deterioration in relationships with other cats and people). In addition, there is always the risk that bacteria from the mouth enter the blood and damage the liver, heart or kidneys.
What treatment options are there?
Unfortunately, treating gingivitis/stomatitis is often frustrating for owners and veterinarians. Chronic forms usually cannot really be cured and long-term treatment must be carried out in order to get the situation under control so that the cat has a good quality of life. Often just a combination of different treatment options leads to a satisfactory result.
The treatment usually begins with professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia. This involves removing tartar and – if present – loose or diseased teeth. As a result, dental care gels and tooth brushing can reduce the formation of new tartar and the resulting inflammation. Changing the diet to a special dry food or giving larger pieces of meat can also help clean the teeth and thus reduce the formation of new tartar.
Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections. If the inflammation is very painful, you try to relieve the pain with the help of painkillers.
If the inflammation is chronic, inflammatory symptoms and pain can be reduced by regular administration of cortisone, certain hormones (progestins) or cytostatics (cyclosporine). But this also brings with it many side effects; Among other things, an additional weakening of the immune system and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus and other diseases. If the medication is not used long-term, the condition worsens significantly after it is stopped. Treatment with interferon takes a different approach, supporting the immune system. However, the treatment is complex and expensive because interferons have to be administered very regularly over a longer period of time (often months).
Immune stimulants and vitamins are another way to support the cat. Since stress has negative effects on the immune system and wound healing, it should be avoided at all costs. Pain also contributes to increased stress levels, so temporary administration of painkillers can significantly reduce stress.
At first glance it seems excessive, but for some cats the last resort is to extract all of their teeth. Domestic cats can eat surprisingly well without teeth, and many cats thrive after their gums settle.
Unfortunately, in rare cases, even pulling out all the teeth does not cause the gum inflammation to go away completely.
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for chronic inflammation are well known: When they are incorporated into cell walls, they have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus have a pain-relieving effect. Recent research results show that special omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), such as those found in fish oil, are also required for the formation of so-called resolvins. Resolvins are endogenous substances that actively end inflammatory processes.
Medicinal plants contain numerous secondary plant substances that can have various positive effects without putting too much strain on the organism. Plants with anti-inflammatory ingredients are well suited to supporting the treatment of chronic inflammation. For example, willow bark contains salicin, which is converted into salicylic acid in the body after it is consumed through food.
But be careful: what helps in small doses can be harmful in larger quantities: cats can only tolerate a small amount of salicylic acid; in larger doses, which do not pose a problem for people or dogs, salicylic acid is toxic for cats. Attempts at self-treatment with preparations containing salicylic acid should therefore definitely be avoided.
A combination of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil with willow bark can be used to support all forms of gingivitis/stomatitis after consultation with the veterinarian. In this way, for example, cortisone doses can be reduced or the intervals between administration extended, which can reduce side effects. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids and willow bark can also be combined with all other forms of therapy.
Dogs also often suffer from gum inflammation as a result of tartar and poor oral hygiene, with small breeds particularly often affected. Like cats, they benefit from treatment and better dental hygiene.
A combination of different treatment options is often indicated. Not every treatment option suits all cats, their individual preferences and needs and those of their owners. Please discuss the therapy best suited to your animal with your veterinarian.
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