How is feline stomatitis treated?

Disclaimer: This article and its content and related references does not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care.

Feline stomatitis is inflammation of the lining of the mouth. It’s usually severely painful and there is often no obvious underlying cause, such as an injury or infection. A veterinarian must treat the common condition promptly to improve a cat’s quality of life and prevent other health issues. If you are a cat owner, read on if you have ever wondered:

• How do I know if my cat has stomatitis?
• How is feline stomatitis treated by a vet?
• Why does feline stomatitis need to be treated by a vet?
• Can I prevent my cat from getting stomatitis?

Unlike dental and gum diseases affecting the teeth and their support structure, such as periodontal disease, stomatitis can affect all types of soft tissue inside the mouth, including inside the cheeks, the back of the throat, the gums, and the tongue. While regular professional cleanings and home dental care can prevent some forms of dental disease, it’s difficult to prevent stomatitis.

Stomatitis is inflammation of the lining of the mouth. In cats, this can occur as a result of an injury or as a chronic inflammatory condition. Chronic stomatitis occurs due to an exaggerated immune response causing severe inflammation of oral tissues. This chronic, immune-mediated form of feline stomatitis is a common condition in cats and can be difficult to treat.

What are the symptoms of stomatitis in cats?

The oral inflammation caused by stomatitis is extremely painful. Behavioral changes due to pain may be present, as well as common symptoms associated with dental disease. Signs of stomatitis in cats can include:

• Vocalizing or flinching when yawning, eating, or grooming
• Red, swollen areas inside the mouth
• Lack of appetite or difficulty eating
• Suddenly preferring wet food over dry food
• Reluctance to groom
• Pawing at the mouth
• Bad breath or foul odor from the mouth
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Hiding or aggressive behaviors

Stomatitis is painful inflammation in the mouth. As a result, normal behaviors such as eating and grooming can cause cats extreme pain. Severe stomatitis may result in weight loss if a cat cannot eat. However, mild stomatitis may not affect a cat’s appetite. Do not assume your cat has a healthy mouth simply because they are eating normally.

A diagnosis of stomatitis is needed before a vet can provide treatment. Stomatitis in cats is initially diagnosed based on the characteristic appearance of the disease in an oral exam. With severe stomatitis, large areas of the tongue, back of the throat, lining of the cheeks, and gums are dark red compared to the surrounding healthy, light pink tissues. Blood tests, including tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, are usually recommended as part of the diagnostic workup, as stomatitis is associated with certain viruses. Other diagnostic tests, such as biopsies, dental X-rays, and oral cultures, may be recommended to fully characterize the disease and help rule out other oral conditions.

The goal of treatment for stomatitis in cats is to decrease the inflammatory response in the mouth and manage pain. It’s best to treat the condition as soon as it is diagnosed, as stomatitis progressively worsens if left untreated. Every cat is different, so finding the right medical therapy may be a challenging process for both veterinarians and cat owners. Medical treatment options may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Antibiotics or antifungals
• Dental cleaning
• Tooth extraction
• Recommendations for home dental care
• Treatments for other contributing underlying conditions

An inappropriate inflammatory response to the oral bacteria in dental plaque is thought to play a significant role in many cases of stomatitis. After a thorough professional cleaning, a vet may recommend frequent dental cleanings as well as brushing or using dental products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) to improve your cat’s dental hygiene. Do not attempt to brush your cat’s teeth unless directed to do so by a veterinarian, as doing so at the wrong time may cause extreme pain.

Other underlying health conditions may contribute to the development of stomatitis, though the connection of stomatitis to underlying conditions is not currently fully understood. If your cat’s stomatitis cannot be managed, removing the teeth in the affected areas may be the only permanent treatment option.

Will my cat need tooth extractions to treat their stomatitis?

If the inflammation and resulting oral pain cannot be managed, your cat may require tooth extraction as treatment. Surgical intervention almost always cures stomatitis in cats. In some cases, all of a cat’s teeth may need to be removed. Cats with missing teeth or even no teeth at all can eat and groom normally. While wet food may be recommended after tooth removal, some toothless cats still eat hard food and do not need their diet changed. Tooth extraction as a treatment for stomatitis results in a higher quality of life for cats compared to the constant, severe pain of unmanageable stomatitis.

Feline stomatitis is difficult to treat, even under the best of circumstances and with competent veterinary guidance. Managing chronic feline stomatitis can be complicated and requires some trial and error. Medical management often involves a variety of prescription medications and other treatments that can only be provided by a veterinarian. In addition, chronic stomatitis may require the help of a board-certified veterinary dentist.

Can I treat my cat’s stomatitis at home?

“Affected cats are often so painful that they don’t tolerate any handling, especially around their mouths,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “As a result, it’s impossible to give oral medications at home, so we usually rely on injectable options given in the clinic.” Attempting to treat any oral health issue at home, including stomatitis, can be dangerous for both you and your cat. Always seek veterinary help when your cat shows signs of dental or oral problems, and never give your cat pain relievers or other medication unless you’ve been directed to do so by a vet. Human pain medications such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs are highly toxic for cats, and “natural” remedies have no evidence to show they work and may result in prolonged pain and suffering.

At this time, it is unclear how cats get the chronic, inflammatory form of stomatitis, but there are theories. It may be part of an exaggerated immune response to dental plaque. Immune-suppressing diseases such as feline leukemia, feline calicivirus, or feline immunodeficiency virus may also play a role. Fungal or bacterial infections in the mouth may also cause inflammation of the lining of the mouth, but they’re uncommon compared to the chronic, immune-mediated form of stomatitis. Ingesting caustic chemicals or biting electrical cords also causes stomatitis as an injury rather than a chronic illness. In these cases, the inflammation goes away once the injury is healed.

In many cases, the cause of stomatitis in cats isn’t clear, so it cannot always be prevented. However, there are a few steps cat owners can take based on current theories, such as:

• Routine dental cleanings with a vet
• Home dental care when safe to do so
• Routine vaccinations and keeping cats indoors
• Keeping chemicals and electrical cords out of reach

Regular checkups and oral examinations won’t prevent stomatitis, but they can help catch and treat stomatitis before it becomes severe. If your cat is showing signs of stomatitis or another dental condition, you can book a virtual appointment with a vet on Vetster and talk to a vet from home.

What is the fastest way to cure stomatitis in cats?

The chronic, inflammatory form of feline stomatitis can be difficult to treat. Removing teeth in the affected areas is often the fastest and most effective cure for stomatitis. Since this frequently means that all the teeth need to be removed, vets and pet owners may want to try other treatment options first.

Are there natural treatments for cats with stomatitis?

At-home or “natural” treatments aren’t supported by evidence to show they work. Some of these treatments may be dangerous, and delaying professional care prolongs the severe pain unmanaged stomatitis can cause in cats. Even with aggressive medical treatment under the guidance of a veterinarian, many cases of stomatitis are difficult to treat, and surgery may be necessary.

What happens if stomatitis is left untreated in cats?

Stomatitis in cats is extremely painful. Leaving the condition untreated significantly lowers an affected cat’s quality of life. In addition, cats with stomatitis may stop eating due to oral pain, causing them to lose weight. Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections associated with some cases of stomatitis may put affected cats at risk for additional medical problems.