Feline gingivitis-stomatitis-pharyngitis complex

Feline gingivostomatitis

The feline gingivitis-stomatitis-pharyngitis complex (GSP) is a complex of diseases in domestic cats ( Felis catus , felin is the adjective derived from it), in which inflammation of the gums ( gingivitis ), (and / or) the mucous membrane of the oral cavity ( Stomatitis ) and / or the throat ( pharyngitis ).

It is much less common than plaque- induced gingivitis and can occur in cats of either sex at any age. The clinical picture is determined by chronic inflammatory processes, in the worst case the entire mouth and throat area is affected.

Symptoms

The sick animals show a disturbed eating behavior, which can lead to emaciation . There is also increased salivation , possibly bloody, and bad breath . The affected mucous membranes are reddened, swollen and painful from the inflammation. Gums may typically overgrow the back teeth of kittens .

causes

The exact causes are not known. Studies suggest that abnormal reactions of the immune system take place. There may be infection with feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus (both causative agent of cat flu complex) and the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or leukemia virus (FeLV) involved. If the above symptoms occur, the affected animal should be examined for FIV and FeLV.

Similar clinical pictures can be caused by viruses , bacteria , diet , dental diseases ( e.g. FORL ), misaligned teeth , genetic predisposition, allergies , other immune deficiencies and also disorders of other defense mechanisms of the oral cavity.

treatment

According to the current state of knowledge, there is no generally effective healing method against the feline gingivitis-stomatitis-pharyngitis complex. In any case, thorough cleaning of the teeth and removal of plaque in connection with the administration of antibiotics is recommended. Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. meloxicam ) are used to support the healing process.

In the case of persistent disease, several studies show a clear improvement in the state of health through the administration of immunomodulators (e.g. interferons , zylexis) in the early stages of the disease. These are deactivated and modified smallpox viruses that are supposed to trigger a broad spectrum immune response. The treatments are relatively expensive. If the disease is not managed in this way, removal of all teeth can be considered as a last resort. In many cases, this leads to complete healing of the inflammation or at least to a reduction in the inflamed areas of the gums. The then completely toothless cat can continue to eat conventional canned food (because of its hard palate plate ). In some cases, despite complete tooth extraction, recurring attacks of inflammation in the mouth area occur, which must be treated with lifelong administration of cortisone.

literature

Diehl K, Rosychuk RA: Feline gingivitis-stomatitis-pharyngitis . Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract
Williams CA, Aller MS: Gingivitis / stomatitis in cats . Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract
Lyon KF: The differential diagnosis and treatment of gingivitis in the cat . Probl Vet Med
Daniel AGTa et al .: Prevalence of infection by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and / or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in cats with chronic gingivitis . Online Journal of Veterinary Research
Daniel AGT, Reche Jr A: Oral bacteria from cats with gingivitis and feline immunodeficiency virus . Online Journal of Veterinary Research

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b K. Zetner: Evaluation of the effectiveness of an intraoral application of recombinant, feline omega interferons (Virbagen Omega) on gingivostomatitis and the general condition of cats with chronic inflammation in the mouth and throat area. In: The Prakt. Tierarzt 89 (2008), pp. 630-634.
↑ ^a ^b Zetner K., Kruse D., Stoian, C .: The stomatitis of the cat ( Memento from June 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 90 kB)
↑ Zetner K., Stoian C., Benetka K., Groiss, S .: Clinical results of a new therapy option for chronic gingivostomatitis in cats using an immunomodulator (Zylexis®) . In: The Prakt. Tierarzt 87 (2006), No. 9. online ( Memento from June 13, 2007 in the Internet Archive )

[zetner-1] K. Zetner: Evaluation of the effectiveness of an intraoral application of recombinant, feline omega interferons (Virbagen Omega) on gingivostomatitis and the general condition of cats with chronic inflammation in the mouth and throat area. In: The Prakt. Tierarzt 89 (2008), pp. 630-634.

[zetner2-2] Zetner K., Kruse D., Stoian, C .: The stomatitis of the cat ( Memento from June 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 90 kB)

[zetner3-3] Zetner K., Stoian C., Benetka K., Groiss, S .: Clinical results of a new therapy option for chronic gingivostomatitis in cats using an immunomodulator (Zylexis®) . In: The Prakt. Tierarzt 87 (2006), No. 9. online ( Memento from June 13, 2007 in the Internet Archive )