Glossitis, Ulcerative

• Cat
• Relatively common.
• Youngish to middle age (mainly - although can be any age).
• Unable to eat although wants to. Hurts to open mouth.
• Whole of back of mouth covered in ulcerative granulation tissue.
• Chronic, tends to start at angle of jaw (bilateral), progression quite slow but over weeks affects whole of back of mouth.
• May also affect anatomy and physiology of the tongue.

Pathology

Epithelium lost over whole of mucosa, lots of macrophages, lymphocytes and proliferating fibrous response at base.

Pathogenesis

• Probably viral.
• Calicivirus found in 7-80%, also often find picorna virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
• Probably calici virus that starts it.
• Also owners often claim develops after 'having cold' prior to it.
• Calici virus infection may be followed by autoimmune / exaggerated immune response which produces lesions.
• Will heal eventually, but takes time and cat loses lots of condition.