Referral & Clinical

Feline Oral Cavity Problems

See our News page for details of a research project we are part of regarding Feline Chronic Stomatitis Gingivitis

Feline Tooth Resorption lesions (Feline TR) - download the new 2010 nomenclature here.

Tooth Resorption (TR) lesions cause many problems in feline practice. Global surveys
over the last twenty years indicate that 25% of the general feline population and 75% of those with other dental disease have at least one TR. Extracting TR teeth is the only sustainable treatment and very difficult as the loss of normal landmarks makes root luxation often impossible. IN addition, TR lesions present as three distinct types (Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3) which can only be identified by dental radiographs. Treatment for the three types are not interchangeable. Type 1 lesions require standard surgical removal via flaps and removal of all root tissue. Type 2 lessons are already resorbing bone and to perform a Type 1 surgical extraction in these teeth is to damage a healing process already taking place. Type 3 lesions are a mixture of both.

Good instruments help here. Our preference for feline dentistry is to use the "EX5" series luxators. These are available from Kruuse and Dr. Shipp - see our Location & Links page. Also, do not be tempted by the "atomisation" option! Severe damage can, and does, occur to collateral structures without due care. Many cases of Feline Oral facial Pain syndrome arise initially from "tooth root atomisation" procedures. Most teeth have large sensory nerves (infraorbital or inferior alveolar( close to the apices of the roots. Atomisation procedures often go beyond the rot apex damaging the nerves. Out advice? Don't do it!

For our most up to date information (vet surgeons only) please visit the download link

Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS)

Feline CGS makes up a large proportion of cats referred to us. Most cases improve dramatically with some form of medical or surgical treatment but a small proportion appear to resist all efforts. Much misinformation is available. Since plaque intolerance is the source of the problem, our efforts are directed at controlling it - along with other treatment regimens. A combination of elective extractions, strict hygiene, oral chlorhexidine, antibiotics and feline interferon therapy is our best regime. Anti-viral drugs, such as Interferon, hold much promise in our opinion. Case selection is vital as best results come from cats who have already had elective cheek teeth extraction and are feline calici virus positive.

We have a trial running with 22 cases since November 2007. A number of other practices in the UK, and France are working on similar lines. Our initial results will be presented in 2010. The success rate holds much promise in the management of such cases.

I In addition we have been working with the University of Glasgow Dental and Veterinary Schools since April 2009 on a reasearch project to detemine the exact nature of antigen in the mouths of cats with this problem. The project uses aerobic and anaerobic culture in addition to culture independent methods (gene sequencing) to find agents hard to culture or novel species. A paper with preliminary results has been submitted to Veterinary Microbilogy for publication in 2010.

I If yoyu are a veterinary surgeon with a case that might benefit from this protocol please give us a call on 01620 890 002

Archie: a severe case of Feline CGS

Check our notes on FCGS as a download.

Interferon protocol

Initial evaluation form

Recheck evaluation form

Practitioners interested in using our protocol for interferon and/or joining the trial are invited to make contact.

Feline Oral Facial Pain Syndrome

A relatively newly reported condition that mostly, but not exclusively, affects Burmese cats. Affected individuals demonstrate a complex of signs including frantic clawing of the face causing much self-inflicted damage. Many drugs have been used, including anti-anxiety drugs, to moderate or reduce the effects. The cause has not been established but it is likely to be multi-factorial.

If you have a case please make contact by e-mail: a database will help in research. Our fact sheet is available to download - FOPS