Have you noticed that your Sphynx cat is refusing to eat, has been drooling, dropping food, or crying throughout meals? These could be signs that your cat is suffering from stomatitis. This is an inflammatory condition that's painful and sometimes severe that affects a cat's tongue, gums, and inner cheeks.
Since Sphynx cats naturally have weaker immune systems, they could be more prone to inflammatory and autoimmune-related mouth issues. Unfortunately, this condition can affect their everyday life when it hurts them to eat. Below, we'll dive into what stomatitis is, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.
What Is Stomatitis?
Feline stomatitis, also known as FCGS (Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis), happens when the immune system “overreacts” to unwanted issues in the mouth, like plaque or bacteria. While mild irritation is relatively normal, a cat with FCGS will experience intense and widespread inflammation, which will make even eating soft food painful.
Common symptoms include:
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Drooling - sometimes with blood
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Unpleasant breath
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Swollen and red gums
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Crying or attempting to pull away during meals
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Struggling to chew or a sudden lack of interest in food
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Rubbing their mouth with their paw
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Weight loss or dehydration
It's not uncommon for cats to develop mouth lesions or ulcers. This can lead to chronic pain that needs ongoing treatment.
Diagnosis And Treatment
Treatment options for stomatitis used to be quite limited. Cats were often treated with steroids, antibiotics, immune-modulating drugs, or, in several cases, cats have needed full-mouth tooth extractions. On these medications or treatment plans, some cats have seen improvements, but many still continue to struggle.
This is why Rapamycin, as a potential treatment for stomatitis, is such an exciting development. Rapamycin is an immunomodulating medication that has shown promising results in boosting appetite, lessening severe oral inflammation, helping the ulcerated tissues heal, and supporting immune balance. Research is still ongoing, but specialists are hopeful that this medication could improve the lives of cats suffering from stomatitis. If any of the above symptoms match those your cat is experiencing, make sure you contact your vet. They may recommend dental X-rays, an oral exam under sedation, or bloodwork.
If your cat already has the stomatitis diagnosis and traditional treatments haven’t made much of a difference, talk to your vet about Rapamycin and see if it could be an option.
Preventing Stomatitis
Here are the best ways to help prevent stomatitis in cats:
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Daily Tooth Brushing: Brush your cat’s teeth daily with a cat-specific toothpaste, like 4-ALL PETS TOOTHPASTE / GUM CLEANSER, to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria before they can cause damage or infection.
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Food Recommendations or Homemade Food: A balanced raw diet with bone is the best diet for cats' oral health.
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Annual Professional Dental Cleanings: Schedule regular veterinary dental exams and cleanings (at least once a year) to keep your cat’s mouth healthy.
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Try The"Teef For Life Kit": It helps to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.
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Regular Oral Health Checks: Observe your cat’s mouth for signs of redness, drooling, bad breath, or pain, and contact your vet if you see these symptoms.
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Avoid Sugary Treats: Cat treats should consist of high-protein, no-carb, or low-carb options.
In Conclusion
While it’s truly heartbreaking to see your cat so miserable, there are things you can do to be proactive and to keep them as comfortable as possible. Make sure to talk to your vet and explore the different options.
With Love,
April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H.
(aka) PetCoach-April
