My cat has painful stomatitis and red gums. What can I do now?

I find that only 2 treatments definitively help stomatitis. The first is to remove the teeth that are in the portion of the mouth that is affected. Current theories are that stomatitis is an immune-mediated reaction to the teeth themselves that may be precipitated by feline viral diseases (typically chlamydophila and calici) and that is why steroid drugs also help to calm the inflammation and improve the condition of the gums. Antibiotics are very limited in their efficacy, because they don't address the true problem.

I'm very sorry to hear about Taiga, this is a horrible condition. With the combination of gingivitis extending into the pharynx, it sounds like your vet has diagnosed what we would know as gingivostomatitis in the UK. Which basically means the mouth as well as the gums gets horribly inflamed, ulcerated and sore. It is a tricky condition to treat but very much needs to be tackled head on as it is so painful. It would be a great idea to get your vet to run bloods first as a general health check for possible complicating factors thsy could effect treatment options, also an FIV FELV panel would be useful. Regarding treatment the key is to reduce the bacteria in the mouth and try and suppress the immune system. Various drugs combined with oral rinsing can help to achieve this, however results can be unsatisfactory and any benefit is temporary. You could certainly try and see how well Taiga responds. The other option for severe gingivostomatitis is full extraction of the teeth as you mention. Although it sounds extreme once the teeth are fully removed the mouth heals and there is no more inflammation as the source is gone. I would strongly recommend approaching a vet with extensive experience in feline dentistry as it is imperative that all teeth are removed fully. This may end up being the best option, but in the mean time bloods and meds will help. I hope you find a comfortable solution for Taiga.

Unfortunately gengivostomatitis (gums inflammation) can be a very frustrating disease. It is a very good news that Symba is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) negative but inflammation might be also secondary to infection as feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus (an oral swap could be done and viruses can be isolated in laboratories). If neither herpes or calicivirus are involved, it is very likely that the inflammatory disease is due to an abnormal response of the oral immuno-system. In the future the disease might remain stable and no other treatment are necessary but if the symptoms get worse might be necessary to start: antiinflammarory drugs, drugs to suppress the immune system and control the proliferation of bacteria within the mouth. In severe cases surgical management (removal of all of a cat’s teeth) might be the only solution.

Dental work really is the most successful treatment but if they are virus negative then steroid treatment may provide significant relief during severe flare ups and helps promote appetite. Interferon treatment can help for many cases, especially if viruses such as calicivirus are circulating

I'm sorry to hear that Monkie has such significant oral inflammation! Gingivostomatitis can be quite painful and it sounds as though your vet has already tried any available medical intervention. As I'm sure you're aware, this condition often occurs in conjunction with a calicivirus infection. Many cats carry this virus and an amino acid supplements, such as L-lysine, can be beneficial in addition to dental procedures. Your vet's treatment plan of a gingival biopsy and full mouth dental extractions seem appropriate for this painful condition. Most cats do quite well with full mouth dental extractions, and some even return to eating dry food again. As she recovers from her dental procedure, Monkie may need to eat both canned and dry food. If she won't eat canned foods, talk to her vet about soaking her ProPlan kibble in water for 15-20 minutes before feeding it to her, as this generally softens it pretty well. I hope this helps you to make your decision and that Monkie is feeling better soon!

The ulcers are likely due to feline stomatitis, or a calicivirus infection. Without evaluating him, I can't make this diagnosis and would recommend consulting with your vet for more information about his specific condition. Stomatitis is a frustrating condition and the best remedy we have is often a full mouth teeth extraction. Antibiotics and steroids can be effective in some cases, but lysine has not shown to be effective. Either way, it sounds like poor Mr. Kitty is in need of pain control and further treatment, so it's best to take him for a recheck exam by your vet, so they can prescribe the necessary medication. Unfortunately, there is nothing more you can do for him at home. Below is a link to some more helpful information about the suspected conditions. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gingivitis-and-stomatitis-in-cats https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-calicivirus-infection I hope that helps and Mr. Kitty gets better soon.

Poor Zelda! Stomatitis is such a frustrating and terrible disease. I assume the surgery was full mouth extractions to help control the stomatitis? This is definitely a good option but totally understandable that it is too expensive. If you haven't already, you may want to talk to your vet about steroid injections. I personally have had good luck with depo-medrol injections and an antibiotic injection called convenia for cats with stomatitis. It isn't a permanent fix but it may help to keep the inflammation under control so she is more comfortable. The depo-medrol isn't ideal for the liver and kidneys but if it is the only thing that keeps her comfortable then it may be worth the risk. I would talk to your vet but the steroid injection could potentially be given every 4-6 weeks depending on her response. The antibiotics injection usually lasts for about 2 weeks. Dependent on her response, she could receive that injection every 2-6 weeks or as needed. If y'all have already tried this then euthanasia may be the best option if you feel like she is suffering. You have to do what is best for sweet Zelda. I know it is a difficult decision. I hope this helps! Hugs!