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Pet Hospital Open 24 Hours Mitcham Australia Directions
 

 

FELINE STOMATITIS

 
 

When Your Cat's Mouth Is Constantly Inflamed


Assessment and management for feline gingivostomatitis, chronic oral inflammation, and painful mouth disease in cats.


Book a Feline Oral Assessment
 

 

 

Feline stomatitis is one of the most painful oral conditions we see in cats.

It causes severe inflammation of the gums and tissues within the mouth, often extending far beyond the teeth themselves. Cats may continue eating despite significant pain, which can make the condition easy to underestimate.

Many affected cats experience chronic discomfort that interferes with eating, grooming, sleep, and overall quality of life.

 

Does This Sound Familiar?


You may have noticed:

  • Bad breath
  • Drooling
  • Lack of interest in their toys
  • Difficulty eating
  • Weight loss
  • Reluctance to groom
  • Red or inflamed gums
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Hiding or reduced interaction

Many cats with stomatitis continue eating despite severe oral pain.

Cats are remarkably good at hiding discomfort, so the absence of obvious signs does not necessarily mean the mouth is comfortable. In fact, these cats often undergo a very obvious transformation in their personalities once this issue is addressed.

 

What Is Feline Gingivostomatitis?


Feline gingivostomatitis is a complex inflammatory condition affecting the mouth. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve an abnormal inflammatory response to plaque, bacteria, viruses, or other triggers in susceptible cats.

Inflammation doesn’t only affect the gums but also the tissues at the back of the mouth, and throat.

 

Why It Matters


Chronic oral inflammation is an overtly painful condition and can have a major impact on a cat's wellbeing.

Untreated or poorly controlled stomatitis may lead to:

 •  Persistent pain
 •  Difficulty eating
 •  Weight loss
 •  Poor coat condition
 •  Reduced grooming
 •  Behavioural changes
 •  Decreased quality of life

 

How We Assess Stomatitis


Every cat is different.

Assessment typically includes:

Vetland Feline Stomatitis Oral examination

Oral examination

Vetland Feline Stomatitis Dental radiographs

Dental radiographs

Vetland Feline Stomatitis - Evaluation of tooth health

 Evaluation of tooth health

Vetland Feline Stomatitis -Assessment of the extent of inflammation

 Assessment of the extent of inflammation

Vetland Feline Stomatitis - Review of previous treatments

 Review of previous treatments and medical history

This helps us determine which teeth may be contributing to the disease and which treatment options are appropriate.

A diagnosis is most often made with a thorough visual examination.



 

Treatment Options

 

There is no single treatment that works for every cat. Management is tailored to the individual patient.

Combination Anti-Viral - Anti-Inflammatory - Antibiotic Therapy

Groundbreaking new medical therapies now offer hope to these cats where previously full mouth extractions have been the only option. We are so excited this is now available to our patients and have had many cats respond wonderfully to the treatment, allowing them to keep their teeth and live happier, more comfortable lives. 

The medication is a paste which is smeared on the gums twice daily.  

A full dental assessment and treatment, including cleaning and extraction of unsalvageable teeth, is performed first.

 

Full Mouth Extractions

 

This is the traditional therapy for feline stomatitis. It must be performed meticulously by experienced practitioners, as these teeth are incredibly fragile and any broken remnants that are left behind can be enough to continue the inflammation. 

Usually all teeth behind the canines (fangs) are removed, but in some cases the canines and incisors must also be removed.

There is a percentage of cats that, despite full mouth extractions, may still require lifelong anti-viral or immune-modulating medications. 

Whilst this approach has traditionally offered a pain-free mouth, the success of recent anti-viral combination therapy may see this now become an outdated treatment option. However, medical therapy is very new and long-term results remain unknown. 
A full dental assessment and treatment, including cleaning and extraction of unsalvageable teeth, is performed first.

 

Sophie's Story


Sophie was a young rescue cat diagnosed with severe gingivostomatitis.

After targeted dental treatment and newer medical therapy, skinny little Sophie began stacking on weight, blossomed into her wonderful personality, and was able to keep many of her teeth comfortably.

Read Here

Read Sophie's Full Story

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Concerned About Your Cat's Mouth?


If your cat has chronic bad breath, inflamed gums, drooling, difficulty eating, or signs of oral pain, we're here to help you understand the next steps and explore treatment options focused on comfort and quality of life.

 

Book a Feline Oral Assessment