Stomatitis in Cats - Causes, Treatment and Associated Conditions

Key takeaways

Stomatitis is a form of inflammation affecting the fleshy parts of the mouth. The causes are not fully understood, but often relate to an exaggerated immune response to plaque bacteria, or injury to the mouth.

Symptoms include red and swollen gums and tongue, pain, drooling, bad breath, and reluctance to groom or eat
Cats with symptoms of stomatitis require prompt veterinary care to confirm stomatitis and plan treatment
Diagnostic tools include physical examination, biopsy, and bloodwork
Treatment either aims to reduce inflammation using medication or surgical extraction of teeth
In cases where surgery is performed, the prognosis is excellent
Cases treated with medication only have variable prognosis and usually take longer to fully resolve.

Are you concerned?

Connect with a vet to get more information about your pet’s health.

Book an online vet

A closer look: Stomatitis in Cats

Stomatitis is common in cats. Cats with symptoms of stomatitis are usually in severe pain and cannot eat. Prompt veterinary care is necessary to confirm stomatitis and make a treatment plan before significant weight loss occurs.

The relationship between stomatitis and other immune system diseases is not completely understood. Cats with underlying health conditions require close observation of their gums and tongue in order to identify stomatitis early.

Connect with a vet to get more information

With DVM, ICH certifications and great reviews by pet parents like you for this symptom

Risk factors

The severity of stomatitis depends on the extent of inflammation, the presence of associated conditions, and the length of time it is left untreated. Severe weight loss occurs in long term cases.

A variation of stomatitis is fungal stomatitis which is caused by infection with Candida albicans. Along with the typical symptoms of stomatitis, fungal stomatitis causes creamy white flat areas on the fleshy parts of the mouth.

Stomatitis may be linked to immunosuppressive viral infections such as feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Further research is needed to determine a conclusive connection.

Cats who have had contact with caustic substances such as bleach, have bitten electrical cords, or have other traumatic injuries to the mouth are also at greater risk.

Possible causes

The connection between stomatitis and the various conditions that are associated with it is not thoroughly understood at this time. There is likely a multifactorial relationship involving infectious agents or other immune-stimulating agents in the mouth that trigger an abnormal immune response in cats with unbalanced oral flora. This abnormal immune system response is directed towards plaque on the teeth, leading to inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth.

Another cause of stomatitis is traumatic injury to the tissues of the mouth. Possible causes include;

Chewing toxic plants
Licking caustic liquids
Shock injury from chewing electrical cords

Kidney failure can also result in stomatitis, as waste products are not adequately removed from the bloodstream and accumulate in tissues, causing inflammation. The inflammatory response to tumors or cancers within the mouth may also result in stomatitis.

Main symptoms

The main symptom of stomatitis is oral pain which include

Vocalizing or flinching when opening the mouth to yawn, groom, or eat
Reluctance or inability to eat or drink
Preferring soft food over hard food
Reluctance to groom resulting in a scruffy coat
Pawing at the mouth

Red, swollen areas on the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, throat, or the hinge area between the upper and lower jaw may also be present.

Testing and diagnosis

Diagnosis of stomatitis is usually based on a physical examination. Other diagnostic tools include:

Oral examination
Biopsy
Bloodwork
Dental X-rays
Bacterial culture
Testing for FeLV and FIV

In many cases, cats must be anesthetized before examination.

Steps to Recovery

Treatment focuses on several goals, including controlling the inflammatory process, decreasing the immune response, managing sources of infection, managing pain, and providing adequate nutrition.

Specific therapies depend on the details of the case and may include:

Anti-inflammatory medications
Pain relief medication
Corticosteroids
Antiviral medications
Antibiotics
Antifungal medications
Immunosuppressive medications
Dental cleaning
Tooth extractions
Stem cell therapy
Laser treatment of lesions
Gold salt therapy

Alongside these treatments, possible supportive therapies include:

Dietary management
Routine oral rinses
Changing to a soft food diet to encourage eating

In cases where stomatitis is caused by traumatic injuries, such as toxins or electric shock, medical treatment is often curative and ongoing therapy is not required.

In some cases, extraction of some or all teeth is required. Cats live well without teeth when provided with soft, appetizing food.

Medical management of stomatitis is often unsuccessful, with symptoms recurring or not responding to treatment. Surgical treatment is usually curative. Prognosis with surgery is excellent.