WEB CGS in the Cat: A Painful and Debilitating Condition

What is Chronic Gingivostomatitis (CGS) in Cats?

WEB Chronic gingivostomatitis (CGS) in the cat is a very painful disease characterized by severe inflammation of the gingiva (gums) and buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheek). Feline chronic gingivostomatitis seems to be a manifestation of an aberrant immune response to chronic antigenic stimulation, leading to a relentless inflammatory assault on the oral mucosa.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The primary clinical sign of feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is protracted oral pain, leading to difficulty eating and reduced appetite. Other symptoms may include drooling, pawing at the mouth, and reluctance to be touched around the head. Diagnosis is based on physical examination findings and a thorough oral examination under anesthesia. Dental radiographs may be necessary to rule out other underlying dental problems.

Treatment

Treatment of feline chronic gingivostomatitis aims to manage pain, control inflammation, and address the underlying cause of the condition. Partial- or full-mouth extractions provide significant improvement in 60-80% of affected cats when done early in the disease course and when no root tips are left behind. In some cases, immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed to dampen the overactive immune response. More specifically, it has been shown that acute caudal stomatitis (sometimes wrongly called faucitis) can be experimentally induced with focal application of sodium lauryl sulfate.