Feline Lymphoplasmacytic Gingivitis Stomatitis Complex
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Typical Signalment
- No sex, age or breed predilection
- Pure breed cats seem to develop disease of greater severity. These include:
- Siamese
- Himalayan
- Burmese
- Abyssinian
- Persian
- Median age of those affected is 7 years (range 4 months - 17 years)
Description
Feline lymphoplasmacytic gingivitis stomatitis Complex is a poorly understood condition. It presents as erythematous, ulcerative lesios of the gingiva, buccal mucosa, lips, palatoglossal folds and the lateral pharyngeal walls. No clear aetiology has yet been discovered but many different causes of the condition have been proposed:
- Hypersensitivity to oral antigens
- Bacteria
- Porphyromonas
- Haemobartonella henselae
- Viruses
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV)
- FIV
- FeLV
- Feline coronavirus (FCoV)
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
- Halitosis
- Dysphagia
- Ptyalism
- Weight loss
- Cachexia
- Bilateral erythematous, ulcerative and/or proliferative lesions of the gingiva
- Submandibular lymphadenopathy
- Variable amounts of plaque and calculus accumulation
- Missing teeth
- Loose teeth
Laboratory Tests
- Virus testing for FIV, FeLV
- Oral Swab for FCV
- Routine haematology and biochemistry to screed for underlying disease.
Diagnostic Imaging
Full mouth radiography should be carried out to assess the teeth, alveolar bone and also to identify any broken roots.
Biopsy
Biopsies should be taken to rule out any malignant neoplasms (ie squamous cell carcinoma) or other pathology ( ie eosinophilic granuloma)
Treatment
The aim of treatment of this condition is to improve the hygiene of the oral cavity. Initial treatment can include the following:
- Treat any underlying/existing dental disease
- Client education of the disease process
- Client education in dental homecare (diet and daily teeth brushing)
- Antibiotics
- Dental scale and polish
More advanced cases that have not responded to initial treatments may require:
- Gingivectomy
- Repeated scale and polishing
- Extraction of cheek teeth
- Other drug therapy
References
- Tutt, C., Deeprose, J. and Crossley, D. (2007) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry (3rd Edition) BSAVA
- Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual