Overview
Stomatitis, also known as lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis, is a serious inflammatory condition affecting cats. While not common, it is far from rare. The disease typically begins with mild inflammation of the gums (gingiva) and tissue at the back of the mouth (fauces), which often progresses to severe inflammation—particularly in the fauces. The tissue may be either ulcerative or prospective.
Cause
The underlying cause of stomatitis has puzzled veterinarians for decades. One significant observation is that extracting most or all of a cat’s teeth leads to resolution of symptoms in many cases. This finding led to the theory that affected cats are reacting to their teeth, possibly to the enamel. However, there are cats that do not improve with extractions suggest that the condition is not purely dental in origin.
For many years, feline calicivirus has been suspected to play a significant role in the development of stomatitis. Unfortunately, until recently, no effective antiviral treatments were available to directly address this virus, limiting our ability to confirm its impact.
Clinical Signs
Cats suffering from stomatitis typically experience significant oral pain. Common symptoms include:
- Drooling (often blood-tinged)
- Strong, foul mouth odor
- Reluctance or refusal to eat
- Dried saliva on the front paws (from face-wiping)
- Crying out in pain when eating or when the mouth is manipulated
- Weight loss due to inability to eat, despite a strong appetite
Traditional Treatments
For many years, the treatment usually involves a combination of:
- Steroids (i.e., Depo-Medrol or prednisolone)
- Antibiotics (i.e., Convenia or clindamycin)
- Pain relief (i.e., buprenorphine, an opioid)
This treatment regimen often brings noticeable relief within 24–48 hours, lasting about 1–3 weeks. However, symptoms typically recur, and repeated steroid use may lead to reduced effectiveness over time.
Although tooth-related issues are not the root cause of the disease, any diseased teeth (e.g., those with resorption, cavities, or mobility) must be extracted. Addressing dental pathology is essential to successfully manage stomatitis.
Novel Treatment
Dr. Lisa Durso Keel DVM DABVP (C/F) is collaborating with Dr. Petra Černá PhD MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) CertAVP (SAM – F) MRCVS AFHEA AdvCert in collecting data and case management for stomatitis cases using a novel antiviral in calicivirus positive cats.
