Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (stomatitis)

Stomatitis (Feline chronic gingivostomatitis or FCGS) is an immune system disorder where the body is thought to be reacting to the bacteria in plaque on the teeth.

This inflammatory reaction can be profound, with some cats experiencing severe oral pain, bleeding from the gums, hiding, lack of grooming, decreased appetite, and difficulty eating.

One thing that is often noticed by pet owners is cats have the inability to open their mouth wide or cry when they are yawning or eating.

When treated appropriately, cats with this condition generally have a good prognosis, with up to 90% of cats experiencing near complete resolution with surgery and appropriate medical management.

There is a small subset of cats that do not respond well to treatment, but the vast majority of cats respond well and experience great quality of life after appropriate treatment. It is very important to have appropriate treatment by a veterinarian experienced in managing complicated dentistry cases. They are challenging from both a medical and surgical perspective