Mouth Ulcers HELLLLP!

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Patty Jo - 02 Sep 2004 01:15 GMT

I have a kitty with ulcers in her mouth. This is driving us both crazy!
She tries to eat, gets a few bites and then screams, runs and gives up.
I've had her to the vet. First he said she just needed her teeth
cleaned that it was caused from plaque build up. We did that. After a
week it was bothering her again. He's given her the same antibiotic
several times which is a nightmare to get into her. Sometime it helps
for a short period, sometimes not. Has anybody else dealt with this
problem? I'd like a 2nd opinion but, he's the only vet around here and I
sure can't get any satisfaction out of his treatment...patty.

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Mary - 02 Sep 2004 01:49 GMT

>Has anybody else dealt with this
>problem? I'd like a 2nd opinion but, he's the only vet around here and I
>sure can't get any satisfaction out of his treatment...patty.

My cat was FLV+ and got this a few times in a row. I gave her clavamox each
time and the vet gave a shot of steroid. Then it just went away. Perhaps her
immune system is supressed? Maybe they should also give a steroid shot and
anti-viral med? I know there is also echinea for pets which helps with viral
infections. Keep her stress free, give her healthy food. If her gums hurt, put
her dry food in a coffee grinder, grind it to dust then mix it with water so it
won't hurt her mouth.

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zuzu22@webtv.net - 02 Sep 2004 02:29 GMT

>If her gums hurt, put her dry food in a
>coffee grinder, grind it to dust then mix it
>with water so it won't hurt her mouth.

That's a lot of unnecessary work when feeding canned food is better
anyway.

To the original poster, get a good quality *canned* food (Wellness would
be perfect for this purpose - you can find a store near you by going to
http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com and clicking on "find us") that has a
smooth consistency (no shreds or chunks.) You can mash it up with some
water or use a hand blender and puree it so it is super smooth and easy
to lap up, which will make it easy for your cat to eat and cause minimal
pain.

One suspected cause of mouth ulcers is allergies, and if your cat has
eaten dry food all its life, there is a good possiblity that the grain
content may be responsible if the ulcers are a result of an allergy.
Completely eliminating grains and dry food from your cat's diet would be
a good place to start and a worthwhile experiment to see if it helps the
ulcers to clear up (another reason to try Wellness as it contains zero
grains.)
Feeding a canned diet is healthier for your cat, too, as is explained in
this article:
http://www.catsincanada.com/articles/feeding.html

Megan

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Gail - 02 Sep 2004 02:36 GMT

She should be seen by another vet. Sometimes mouth ulcers are a symptom of
an underlying disorder (ie chronic renal failure, etc).
Gail

> I have a kitty with ulcers in her mouth. This is driving us both crazy!
> She tries to eat, gets a few bites and then screams, runs and gives up.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> problem? I'd like a 2nd opinion but, he's the only vet around here and I
> sure can't get any satisfaction out of his treatment...patty.

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Patty Jo - 02 Sep 2004 03:26 GMT

I'm so grateful for the responses.
I did try grinding the dry food trick. It didn't fly. :-). I have found
the only thing she'll eat with no problem is raw beef, cut into tiny
pieces and hand fed to her! So that's what she had tonight. I'm gonna
speak to the Doc. tomorrow about steroids.
Thank all of you. It's good to know I'm not alone with this
problem..Patty

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Karen Chuplis - 02 Sep 2004 04:08 GMT

I would consult a feline specialist. Some cats are allergic to their own
plaque. My boy did not get ulcers but very bad gums. He was on steroids and
antibiotics for a year. Then my vet attended a dental workshop and the
thinking is removing the back teeth is the best solution because the plaque
cannot occur. He had this done and has had NO, Zilch, Zero since. Something
to consider.

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RDV - 02 Sep 2004 10:05 GMT

> I have a kitty with ulcers in her mouth. This is driving us both crazy!
>She tries to eat, gets a few bites and then screams, runs and gives up.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>problem? I'd like a 2nd opinion but, he's the only vet around here and I
>sure can't get any satisfaction out of his treatment...patty.

Do a little research on "eosinophilic granuloma" or EGC. One of my
cats has this problem ... symptoms precisely the same as yours. He has
to have a steroid shot every couple of months. Not a great thing to
get into, as long-term steroid use can cause serious health problems,
but let's face it, so would starving to death! ;) The vet thinks he
may outgrow the problem in time.

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Theresa - 02 Sep 2004 17:25 GMT

Last spring, my cat, McDuffy, almost died. I took him to the local vet
where he picked up not one but two separate viruses. Luckily, I live
about 80 miles from a cat clinic so took him there. They saved his
life. he had eye drops, nose drops, was force fed, etc. He had eye
ulcers and mouth ulcers. They prescribed, and I'm sorry I can't
remember if it was ariththromycin OR azithromycin. check my spelling,
please. the med cost $78 but it saved his life. All the local vet knew
was Bartril, baytril, baytril which did nothing. I hope you can get to
a specialist. My cat is alive because of the high tech care. As I
cuddle him I repeatedly tell him that he cost $1300, all told, but
he's worth it. Check out the antibiotic, please.

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Phil P. - 03 Sep 2004 11:52 GMT

Could be stomatitis - which is inflammation of the oral membranes.
Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue and gingivitis is inflammation of
the gums. If its stomatitis she'll probably need a combination of
antibiotics to control infections and glucocorticoids (cortisone-type
medications) to control inflammation, and if all else fails - pulling all
the teeth except the incisors and canine teeth. I know this may sound
extreme, but full mouth extractions have brought a cure and stopped the pain
for many cats when nothing else worked.

Did your vet do a complete blood work-up to look for internal disease?

A cats mouth is full of bacteria - the same bacteria is present in the cat's
mouth in health and in sickness. Normally, the cat's immune system keeps
this bacteria in check. However, an internal disease can alter the cat's
resistance and allow the bacteria to attack and cause infection.

Speak to your vet about the possibility of internal disease.

Best of Luck.

Phil

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