Companion Animals

Cat Dental Stomatitis Treatment

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is an intensely painful immune-mediated condition requiring aggressive treatment to relieve suffering.

Key Facts

FCGS causes severe, diffuse oral inflammation beyond what dental disease alone explains
Most cats with FCGS respond to full mouth tooth extraction in 60-70% of cases
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs manage symptoms but rarely cure
Cats with FCGS are often in intense chronic pain, affecting eating and quality of life
Interferon-omega has shown benefit in some studies as an immunomodulatory treatment

Welfare Considerations

FCGS causes some of the most severe oral pain in veterinary medicine. Affected cats experience constant burning pain, difficulty eating, and weight loss. Full mouth extraction, though radical, provides resolution in the majority of cases and dramatically improves quality of life. Early treatment prevents prolonged suffering.

What You Can Do

Seek specialist dental assessment for cats with severe oral inflammation
Discuss full mouth extraction with your vet for refractory FCGS cases
Provide soft, warmed food to cats with dental pain to maintain nutrition during treatment