Advice needed on Stomatitus in cats

[alphafemale]

Looking at an adoption.

Cat has been in the shelter since a kitten and is just 11 months old and they are recommending all his teeth be pulled.

This does not sound right to me.

[Polly Hennessey]

1. Get a second opinion.

My Pumpkin Pie has similar problem. He is now 13 and has all his teeth. I put Clenz-a-dent Chlorhexidine Rinse on his gums two or three times a week. He does drool, however. Nothing awful. Pumpkin may have a mild case though. If you do need to have his teeth pulled that’s ok, he still needs to be loved 🥰. Just call him Grandpa.

[alphafemale]

4. Thank you

This cat did not appear to be troubled.

Did not shy away from head pets.

[JohnSJ]

2. I personally know nothing about this, but here is an article discussing your situation

https://www.petful.com/pet-health/feline-stomatitis-feline-mouth-extraction/

Perhaps you might consider a second opinion also

[alphafemale]

3. My vet office is not going to open until Monday.

I am also going to call the adoption place and say halt until second opinion.

The cat did not appear to be in pain at all.

[PSPS]

7. That's an excellent plan. Thanks for giving the guy his furever home!

WHen you say "my vet," I presume that's a vet with whom you have history and, thus, trust. Let them have a look at the guy and see what they have to say. Oh, and KEEP US POSTED!!! We all need stories like this, especially now!

[Polly Hennessey]

5. Now that I read the recommended article,

Pumpkin may have gingivitis. I hope you give the kitty a home, sounds like he needs lots of love.

[PSPS]

6. I agree with the others.

If you've fallen in love with the guy, adopt him and then get a second diagnosis and recommendation. Sometimes, it will be suggested that "all his teeth be pulled" merely because it is the easiest and least expensive treatment. You'll want to do whatever makes your new member of your family the happiest he can be. Keep this in mind: Even with no teeth at all, a cat can still eat, be happy, and fill your life with lovely companionship and unconditional love.

[hamsterjill]

8. I am a cat rescuer and have faced this many times.

Cats undergoing full mouth extractions typically do well IF the FME is done correctly. Every bit of bone, etc. must be removed and it is imperative that a knowledgeable vet do the procedure and take xrays.

Cats do very well once recovered from FME. Mine have all resumed eating dry kibble along with their canned food. Recovery can be a little hard for the first week. Cats don’t want to eat due to the pain. We normally arrange to take cats back for sub-q fluids daily for the first few days until they are eating on their own. This keeps them hydrated and helps with their recovery. If you are able to get and give injectable pain meds (it’s very easy) that’s the way to go because getting a pill into a cat whose teeth have all just been extracted is impossible. If the clinic is convenient, you can also arrange to take the cat back for pain injections. It only takes about three days.

I’ve also had stomatitis cats maintained for long periods of time on steroids. Cats do not have the same side effects from steroids that dogs do, although there certainly can be some.

Happy to discuss further if you want to PM me. My wish is for a great outcome for this kiddo and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your desire to help him.

Adopt. Don’t shop!!!

Edited to add: cats are masters at hiding pain. You cannot judge the cat’s condition by head butts. Find out if he’s eating and how much. Also look for drooling and a bad smell.

[Laurelin]

9. My cat

Was diagnosed with stomatitus. I took her to a specialist to have the surgery and was told that she actually has eosinophilic plaque. She still has her teeth and is on a hypoallergenic diet. I'm hoping she's doing better since we moved and changed her diet but she's due to see the vet again so we'll see.

Yes, get a second opinion, but if they agree on the diagnosis, go to a specialist hospital to have the surgery. I would want a board certified small animal surgeon.

I should probably add that mine went to TAMU vet school and actually saw three different specialists, not just one. They did a lot of consults...

Good luck! If you decide to adopt the cat I hope you have a happy life together ❤ Mine has been worth all the trouble. She came from a shelter too.

[Mime]

10. a good source for cat health info

Cornell Feline Health Center
[link:https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/gingivostomatitis|

[femmedem]

11. I have a cat with stomatitus.

I do recommend seeing a veterinary dentist for a second opinion, but my cat, who was only about three at the time, did have to have all his teeth pulled. He was miserable for a while, but now he is doing great. He had gone from eleven to seven pounds before I had his teeth pulled because his mouth was so full of sores that he couldn't eat without excruciating pain.

If it is true stomatitis, you need someone experienced to pull the teeth and x-ray to make sure no roots are left. A partial extraction is a bad idea because the cat has an immune response to his plaque, and any tooth remaining will trigger it.

[Bayard]

12. If he came into the shelter as a kitten,

And is now almost a year old, I would think they would have pulled his teeth already if that's what they recommend. Did you talk directly to their vet?

I would definitely get a second opinion.

Hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship!

[alphafemale]

13. Thanks to everyone for all this advice.

I will definitely get that second opinion.

Actually, there are about 6 vets at the hospital I have been using so I am sure they will kick it around and have the best look at him.

[Blaukraut]

14. I have two cats with stomatitis. The shelter recommendation is not wrong.

If the stomatitis is mainly around the teeth, and a cleaning, antibiotics, and daily brushing don't clear it up, then pulling all their teeth will definitely improve their situation. One of my cats is going in for a cleaning and ABX and I will then brush his teeth daily (if he lets me) and we'll see how it goes
.
The other guy has caudal stomatitis, which is in the back of their mouth and throat, so pulling all their teeth doesn't do as much good. He has had most of his molars pulled, is on periodic antibiotics, and was getting steroid injections with flareups until he developed a heart murmur. Thankfully, he's doing fairly well even without the steroids.

Definitely don't shy away from adopting this little guy. He's young and can overcome this easily with treatment. Do get a second opinion from a vet and go from there. Good luck!

[alphafemale]

15. Going to try to post his link from their site.

He was definitely kitten when he got there.

It is a better type of shelter.

They have well done rooms with climby things all over rather than horrid cages.

https://palmettoanimalleague.org/cats/#sl_embed&page=shelterluv_wrap_1607444652637%2Fembed%2Fanimal%2FPAL-A-12730

[LisaL]

16. I don't think it's his link.

But I can look at all their adoptable cats. What's his name?

[alphafemale]

17. Bingo is his shelter name.

Under longest stays

[alphafemale]

18. UPDATE! They said I can come pick him up tomorrow!

Woo! Hoo!

[femmedem]

19. Congratulations to you and Bingo!

I hope you have many happy years together.

I looked at his shelter picture and I hope it is gingivitis rather than stomatitis. He didn't look thin, his fur didn't look unkempt. Fingers crossed for you.

[alphafemale]

20. UPDATE He is home. And a new name. Reveal below.

Hiding under the bed as cats often do until they get used to a new place.

His New name?

Poe is too poe for a black cat.

There are probably hundreds of cats, thousands of cats named Poe. Boring.

And Edgar. Ugh shrug.

He will be named Quarles Kwa -les

Which is the pen name E.A.P. used to publish The Raven for the first time.

[TuxedoKat]

21. There's

A FB group for cats with Stomatitus. The people on there are very knowledgeable re same. Sometimes feeding raw may help cats’ health issues (there are FB groups for that too). Stomatitus is tricky though. Thank you for helping this kitty. Good luck.

[alphafemale]

23. Do you have a link to this by any chance?

He's still under the bed but welcoming pets.

If he is too shy to make it to the litter box I have a steam cleaner and won't get shouty.

He already has found the litter box one onf the first thing and climbed in though.

[Demovictory9]

22. my cat had a few teeth pulled because of this

[alphafemale]

24. I talked with one of the vets at my office.

He has said cats can adjust.

[LisaL]

25. My cat has almost no teeth left.

He doesn't have stomatitis, but he has bad teeth. Some fell out and some were pulled by a vet. He is doing fine.