Feline Caudal Stomatitis

Chapter 120


Feline Caudal Stomatitis



The most common cause of oral inflammation in cats is periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis). Inflammation of the buccal mucosa (stomatitis) also may be associated with severe periodontal disease. Eosinophilic complex–related disorders, neoplasia, trauma, irritation caused by ingestion of noxious materials, immune-mediated diseases, and metabolic abnormalities also are potential causes of oral inflammation. Caudal stomatitis is a problem seen in cats and should not be confused with inflammation in other areas of the mouth.


Infectious diseases have been associated with oral inflammation. Cats with altered immune function from infection with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus may have more severe periodontal disease or oral inflammation. Chronic calicivirus infection has been implicated as a factor in severe oral inflammation, especially in cats with inflammation in the area of the palatoglossal fold (caudal stomatitis). In one study, 81% of 25 cats with caudal stomatitis were shedding both feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus 1 compared with 21% of a similar number of cats with periodontal disease (Lommer and Verstraete, 2003). The role of bacteria in caudal stomatitis is unknown. Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida was identified more frequently in cats with caudal stomatitis than in normal cats in one study, which suggests that it may play a role in the disease (Dolieslager et al, 2011). Bartonella henselae infection has been suggested as a possible factor in the development of feline caudal stomatitis (Hardy et al, 2002). However, there is a high prevalence of B. henselae antibody positivity in healthy cats, which makes it difficult to determine the significance of an antibody-positive test result in a cat with caudal stomatitis. A recent study of 34 cats with chronic stomatitis and 34 age-matched healthy control cats reported no significant differences between the two groups in the prevalence of positivity for Bartonella spp. by polymerase chain reaction testing and antibody positivity for B. henselae. More recent studies evaluating potential causative agents have found that calicivirus and not Bartonella is associated with caudal stomatitis in cats (Belgard et al, 2010; Dowers et al, 2010).


Cats with chronic caudal stomatitis have decreased salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels compared with healthy cats; however, the significance of this in the development of disease is unknown (Harley et al, 2003). Cats with chronic caudal stomatitis also have higher serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations than healthy cats.


Oral inflammatory disease of unknown cause is a common problem in cats. The degree of inflammation is variable and may be severe. These cats present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and management frequently is frustrating for both the veterinarian and owner. Inflammation may involve the gingiva (gingivitis), buccal mucosa (stomatitis), or tissues of and adjacent to the palatoglossal fold (caudal stomatitis) or pharyngeal area (pharyngitis). Current knowledge about the cause of caudal stomatitis unrelated to periodontal disease in cats is limited. The condition has been referred to as lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis based on the major cellular infiltrate present on histologic examination. The histologic features are compatible with a chronic inflammatory or immunologic response but do not provide a definitive diagnosis as to the primary cause. Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated a predominance of CD8+ cells over CD4+ cells, which could be consistent with a viral cause (Harley et al, 2011). Cats with severe caudal stomatitis often are grouped together as all having the same unknown problem; yet based on clinical presentation and variable response to treatment, it is more likely that multiple factors are involved.



Historical and Clinical Signs


Cats with caudal stomatitis frequently have a history of dysphagia, inappetence, or anorexia and of pain when eating is attempted. The cat may appear interested in food but is unwilling to eat or may attempt to eat but drops the food from its mouth or paws at its muzzle. The affected cat usually is reluctant to eat hard food but may eat soft food. As the severity of the inflammation increases, the cat becomes pickier about what it will eat, or blood-tinged saliva may be noted after eating. In severe cases the cat may be in a great deal of pain, which causes a reluctance to swallow and drooling (pseudoptyalism). Weight loss may be a significant problem, depending on the severity and duration of inflammation. Affected cats may exhibit altered behavior such as reduced activity, demonstrate aggressive behavior toward other pets or persons, or show an aversion to having the face or head touched. These cats may have an unkempt appearance resulting from a reluctance to groom because of oral pain. Owners may notice that the cat no longer yawns.



Oral Examination


Before the oral cavity is examined, the regional lymph nodes should be palpated and the mandible and maxilla examined for swelling or pain. It may not be possible to complete the initial oral examination if the cat has severe oral pain. In severe cases the inflamed tissues may be ulcerated and bleed readily. Proliferation of oral tissues may make it difficult to visualize the teeth. Cats with severe caudal stomatitis may have extreme pain on opening the mouth; thus the initial examination should be performed with the mouth closed while the lips are gently retracted. This examination is performed slowly to minimize pain. The mouth then is opened gently if possible. Lesions of the oral cavity may include inflammation of the gingiva (gingivitis), oral buccal mucosa (stomatitis), and tissues lateral to the palatoglossal fold (caudal stomatitis). Often a complete oral examination is not possible without benefit of sedation or general anesthesia.



Diagnostic Evaluation


A complete blood count, biochemical panel, and urinalysis are performed to identify concurrent or contributory diseases. The complete blood count usually is unremarkable. Hyperglobulinemia has been identified in some cats with chronic caudal stomatitis. Serologic evaluation for feline leukemia virus antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus antibody should be performed. It is ideal to include virus isolation studies on specimens obtained from oral swabs of inflamed tissues in cats with caudal stomatitis. Although bacterial cultures are not part of a basic evaluation in most cases, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing may be helpful in chronic cases that do not respond to the antibiotics commonly used for oral infections. A biopsy specimen should be obtained from any lesion that appears neoplastic or is of unknown cause and should be submitted for histopathologic examination.


A complete oral and dental examination is performed with the cat under general anesthesia. The animal is evaluated for periodontal disease, tooth resorption, and other problems that may cause oral inflammation. Dental radiographs are obtained to evaluate for alveolar bone loss (indicating periodontitis), tooth resorption, and retained roots.

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Jul 18, 2016 | Posted by in PHARMACOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS | Comments Off on Feline Caudal Stomatitis

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access