Gingivitis in cats: causes and prognosis
Gingivitis has a slow and latent course, so occasionally the problem is not detected until the cat has bad breath or starts eating less.
Most frequent causes of gingivitis in cats
There is a wide range of causes of gingivitis in cats. Systemic diseases such as uraemia, diabetes mellitus, severe malnutrition, heavy metal poisoning, retroviruses or long-term corticosteroid use can all cause gingivitis in cats. However, gingivitis in cats may also have other, more specific aetiologies such as:
- autoimmune (pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid)
- viral (calicivirus, herpesvirus, feline panleukopaenia, distemper)
- periodontal
- neoplastic
- physicochemical (contact with caustic substances, electrocution, foreign bodies)
Gingivitis in cats usually causes ulcers or areas of proliferation in the oral mucosa. It may be accompanied by sialorrhoea, difficulty ingesting fluids and food, and pain.
Treating gingivitis in cats according to the aetiology
The treatment of gingivitis in cats depends on the aetiology of each case.
- Gingivitis caused by calicivirus: no specific treatment. Antibiotics may be given to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
- Gingivitis caused by retroviruses: can be treated with antibiotics. If there is still no clinical improvement, corticosteroids may be used to reduce the inflammation. More recently, retrovirus-associated gingivitis has been treated with immunotherapy. This consists of administering interferon alpha and Propionibacterium acnes to act as immunostimulants and therefore improve immunosuppression.
- Lymphoplasmacytic gingivitis: antibiotic therapy is used, although without particularly good results. Corticosteroids may also be used to inhibit the inflammatory response and complemented with dental hygiene as a maintenance treatment.
Oral cleaning or scaling is generally recommended for these animals. The most damaged teeth sometimes need to be removed. There also appears to be some type of relationship between gingivitis and diet, as moist foods can increase its frequency.
The prognosis for gingivitis in cats depends on the aetiology
The prognosis for gingivitis in cats is linked to the aetiology. It is worth highlighting the case of lymphoplasmacytic gingivitis. As this is an incurable disease, the prognosis is poor as patients gradually lose their teeth.
It is sometimes the progression of the gingivitis in itself that brings the problem to a conclusion. As teeth are lost, the gingivitis resolves itself because gums only remain inflamed while there is a contact surface.
