Feline Stomatitis

[Purron]

One of my cats has been suffering from feline stomatitis for over a year now. It's a very painful inflamation of the gums and mouth. While the cause is uncertain, many vets believe it's due to an allergic reaction to naturally occuring bacteria on the teeth.

This condition progressed to the point where she ran away from the food bowl in agony. Even though I fed her canned food, mixed with warm water, it still hurt to eat.

Upon the advice of my vet, I took her to an practice specializing in animal dental issues. The two vets there have tons of specialized training and are even called upon to treat dental issues for animals at the National Zoo in DC.

After examining her and reviewing her case history, they recommended removing all her teeth. I was stunned by this, but after doing some research on my own, found this is the usual recommendation is cases such as hers. Feline stomatitis is quite common in cats and less common with dogs.

Last Thursday, my cat had all her teeth removed. The first couple of days were difficult, but she has made a remarkable recovery. I can tell she feels better already. I'm told once she fully recovers, I can expect her to act like a kitten again. Naturally, this was very expensive. Even so, DH and I have an ample amount in our budget to ensure our companion animals receive the best of care.

Here's a fairly recent picture of her prior to the dental procedure. Surpisingly, the procedure has not significantly changed her appearance. She's a wonderful cat, 10 years young, and I hope to have many more years with her.

 

[bbbamI]

Wow, I've never heard of that before, and I've had cats most of my life.

I have a cat (Tootsie) that is a tiny girl weighing around 5 1/2 pounds. A few years ago, she fell and when I checked her, I noticed a tooth in front missing. The next day, I took her to the vet to make sure she was ok. The vet said she was fine, and then said, "Most of her teeth are missing." I was totally shocked. I had no idea.

Well, my Toots has very few teeth left now. I guess she's doing pretty well considering she plays like a kitten and will be 18 this fall.

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm so glad she's doing well.

 

[FIRE'd@51]

Our cats used to love whipped cream. Have you considered that as a treat for her?

 

[Purron]

Our cats used to love whipped cream. Have you considered that as a treat for her?

Sounds like a good treat for a kitty with a tender mouth. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Redbugdave]

Ours just loves his portion of Breyer's vanillla ice cream at night. I think something cool like ice cream would be good for your kitty's gums. Then, you guys can enjoy ice cream time every night!

After she heals, what about being outside? I am thinking about other cats wanting to fight yours. She will have her claws for protection, but no teeth. Or is she always inside?

Here's a pic of Sammy Cat...

 

[Purron]

After she heals, what about being outside? I am thinking about other cats wanting to fight yours. She will have her claws for protection, but no teeth. Or is she always inside?
Here's a pic of Sammy Cat...

That's a valid concern. I think it could be worse for a declawed cat to be let out as the claws are the primary defense system for a cat. Teeth are more for eating wild game. In this case, however, she's always inside, so it's not an issue. Plus, the teeth are not needed for eating canned fancy feast

 

[FIRE'd@51]

I think it could be worse for a declawed cat to be let out as the claws are the primary defense system for a cat.

Yep. Our cats were de-clawed, but we let them out every day, weather permitting, and they loved to go outside. But we were always there to supervise them. We never let them out alone.

 

[Amethyst]

Glad the procedure seems to be working out well for your cat. I have a kitten and a 10-year-old cat who both adore a teaspoonful or so of plain yogurt. I've read that cats lack a sweet tooth and they can also be lactose-intolerant (I know, hard to believe about cats), but the yogurt seems to be digested OK.

 

[Purron]

Glad the procedure seems to be working out well for your cat. I have a kitten and a 10-year-old cat who both adore a teaspoonful or so of plain yogurt. I've read that cats lack a sweet tooth and they can also be lactose-intolerant (I know, hard to believe about cats), but the yogurt seems to be digested OK.

Thanks Amethyst, she is feeling much better. I've heard the same about lactose intolerance in cats. Somehow, yougurt seems to be fine for them and has even been recommended by my vet for "tummy issues".

 

[Sarah in SC]

Very interesting and good to know.
We had a foster dog that came to us with only 3 teeth. She had no trouble eating but she drank water like a pelican. Apparently that is the only downfall, not having a guide for the tongue when they are lapping. Anna could cover the floor with her water drinking!

I am glad this will improve your kitty's life. Keep us posted on how it goes. 3 of my 5 cats are at or over 10 now, and I expect more health problems to come.

 

[cashbalancetrouble]

Of our four cats, only our Begal lets us ‘brush’ her teeth. Actually it is simply applying this goop that coats the teeth to prevent plaque. We have to do it once a week. The others are too hard to hold or catch.

 

[debster747]

I inherited an older cat from my ex-husband. He never took her in for regular vet checkups, etc. I noticed that the cat was having a hard time eating, so I took her in. She had gum disease and the vet removed all her remaining teeth. After she recovered, she could clean a chicken wing so well that it looked like it never even had meat on it! Your kitty will be fine!!!

 

[bbbamI]

All these pics inspired me....here's Tootsie....

 

[Purron]

All these pics inspired me....here's Tootsie....

Tootsie has a great face - lots of purr-sonality and a little attitude. I like that in a cat. As a matter of fact, I like that in a man too

 

[Purron]

I inherited an older cat from my ex-husband. He never took her in for regular vet checkups, etc. I noticed that the cat was having a hard time eating, so I took her in. She had gum disease and the vet removed all her remaining teeth. After she recovered, she could clean a chicken wing so well that it looked like it never even had meat on it! Your kitty will be fine!!!

debster747: thanks for your words of encouragement! I see you are kinda new here so welcome! Nice to have another kitty lover in our ranks

 

[bbbamI]

Tootsie has a great face - lots of purr-sonality and a little attitude. I like that in a cat.

Yeah it's all about purr-sonality and attitude. Snuggling, becoming alert in an instant, wanting to please, and a little growling thrown in.

As a matter of fact, I like that in a man too

See my reply above....

 

[FurBall]

Even so, DH and I have an ample amount in our budget to ensure our companion animals receive the best of care.

I'm glad to hear your kitty is doing well. It's also nice to see others who budget for their companion animals. I'm as cheap as can be but I think that when we take in animals we owe it to them to care for them.

One of my kitties has a heart problem and requires yearly MRIs and expensive daily heart medicine. I consider this to be in the "required" portion of the budget rather than the "discretionary." I do tell him he is required to be extra cute to make up for the expense and he obliges.

 

[Purron]

I do tell him he is required to be extra cute to make up for the expense and he obliges.

Very nice FurBall. Glad to know I'm not the only one

 

[Purron]

Update on my kitty

It's been two weeks today since my kitty had all her teeth removed due to the feline stomatitis. I took her in for a follow up visit and she is doing great! She is so much happier and much more comfortable. I waited until I knew she had healed up OK before giving her dry food which she adores. She gobbled it up with no problems. This was a big procedure, but seeing her so happy and finally pain free made it all worthwhile. Here's a picture of her I took just now as she was peacefully napping:

 

[Westernskies]

It's been two weeks today since my kitty had all her teeth removed due to the feline stomatitis. I took her in for a follow up visit and she is doing great! She is so much happier and much more comfortable. I waited until I knew she had healed up OK before giving her dry food which she adores. She gobbled it up with no problems. This was a big procedure, but seeing her so happy and finally pain free made it all worthwhile. Here's a picture of her I took just now as she was peacefully napping:

Let me know when she feels up for a jackalope ride.

 

[FurBall]

Wonderful news. Your kitty looks very happy.

 

[Purron]

Let me know when she feels up for a jackalope ride.

How sweet of you Westernskies! I'll never forget when you included one of my other furry companions in your avatar.

 

[bbbamI]

Well, it's been a long time since I've said this, but...."bless her little heart".