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Gingivostomatitis
Feline gingivostomatitis (FGS) is a severe, painful oral disease where the cat's mouth becomes allergic to plaque on teeth. Also called plasma cell stomatitis, lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis, or caudal stomatitis.
Key Facts
- The cat becomes essentially allergic to its own teeth
- Striking inflammation throughout the mouth, centered on the palatoglossal arch (fauces)
- Plaque bacteria is the specific trigger; why some cats develop it is unknown
- Not clearly related to FeLV, FIV, sex, or diet, though calicivirus carriers may be predisposed
- Signs: severe mouth pain, difficulty eating, drooling, weight loss, bad breath, poor grooming
- Treatment of choice: extraction of affected teeth (molars/premolars)
- Full extraction cures 60% outright; rises to 90% if canines also removed
- Early extraction yields best results; delayed medical management reduces success
- Remaining 20-40% need ongoing medication (cyclosporine, steroids, antibiotics)
- Cats do not need teeth to eat and thrive after extraction
- Species: cats