eek, sorry to hear that! i hope he gets better soon

do/have you been you brushing his teeth daily?

 

When we adopted our Inky 2 years ago, he had mild gingivitis caused by a weakened immune system. After extensive research and talking to our vet, we started a daily dose of 10mg of Co Q 10 and 250mg of L-lysine. Those 2 products along with daily brushing (havent missed a day!), his gingivitis is long gone. The trick is to boost his immune system. I use Vetri-Science CoQ10 and L-Lysine treats from Pet Naturals of Vermont.
Best of luck!! :smile:

 

No I haven't. He won't allow me to do that. He wouldn't take his pill this morning so I had to pill him. That was enough to make him gag. His gums around the front don't look too terribly red, but I'm assuming the back I his throat is worse. I'm so frustrated with gingivitis!!


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I think that's worth a try! I'm not understanding the prednisone. It's an anti-inflammatory that suppresses the immune system. Shouldn't I be trying to boost his immune system. I'd totally brush his teeth I he'd let me. But I'm guessing his gums are too sore for me to try.


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It's time to get a second opinion. 10 mg of prednisone a day is a HUGE dose, esp. for an older cat (unless the cat himself is massive - like 20+ lbs massive). Even then, I don't know why your vet would have prescribed pred for gingivitis (not to mention the fact that cats should be given prednisolone, NOT prednisone).

If you live within driving distance of the U of MO, I strongly recommend you take him to the vet clinic there and have his mouth evaluated. They will x-ray his mouth, which should have been done at the dental cleaning, and see what's going on below the gum line. They will probably also run full bloodwork to check his organ function. Gagging and running off may be a response to nausea instead of a mouth problem, though it does sound more like an acute pain response. Anyway, if you can get him to Mizzou, do it. That's where you'll be most likely to get the answers you need to make your boy feel better.

Laurie

 

I agree with Laurie.
Second opinion time. Please, for the sake of your cat, get an opinion by someone who is an expert in this area. He is depending on YOU to do what is right by him....

 

I actually live around Columbia, but haven't had much luck with the University either. We had blood work done as part of his annual check up and all organs are functioning fine. The only thing was the thyriod. It was higher than the vet would like. I believe she said it was at the high end of normal. We are going to test again in July to see if it's gotten any better. I hate to stress him out again and take him to another vet, but i think it's time. I can't stand to see him like this!

 

I actually live around Columbia, but haven't had much luck with the University either.

That's unfortunate, because that's where you would have access to a full range of veterinary specialists and diagnostic equipment not available at private veterinary practices. If I still lived in Columbia, Mizzou is where I'd take any of my animals with a problem that wasn't resolving after conventional treatment, as in your cat's case.

After rereading your initial post, it sounds like your cat's problem may be in his throat instead of (or in addition to) his mouth. It could be very helpful to be at a clinic where his throat could be scoped to rule out any problems there.

We had blood work done as part of his annual check up and all organs are functioning fine. The only thing was the thyriod. It was higher than the vet would like. I believe she said it was at the high end of normal.

Typically, a high normal (grey zone) Total T4 would call for an additional test called a Free T4 by Equilibrium Dialysis (FT4ED) to clarify the thyroid status. I'm surprised that your vet didn't run that test right away. I would recommend that you have that test run by whichever vet your cat sees next rather than waiting until July. If he is hyperT, the sooner he begins treatment, the better.

Laurie

 

I just scheduled a second opinion with another very reputable vet clinic on Saturday morning. I'm hopeful they can shed some light on this.

 

Good luck with the new vet! Hopefully, he will feel better soon

 

If his thyroid is enlarged or if there is a nodule on it, that would certainly make it difficult for him to swallow. I would ask your vet about that possibility. It's possible he may need to have the thyroid removed, but then he would need to be on thyroid medication for the rest of his life, but it would likely solve the swallowing problem.

 

Thyroid adenomas do not typically interfere with swallowing, though I suppose it is possible in rare, advanced cases. There's certainly also the possibility of other swellings, growths, or foreign bodies that may be creating a problem in the throat.

Laurie

 

Got my second opinion today. Not stomatitis since its happening at this age. More than likely it's a bacterial infection. We've got him on a Depo shot and antibiotics. Glad he's off the prednisone! Not thrilled about the Depo, but he's already feeling better. The prednisone did nothing. We will do another check up in about a month and they will be calling me on Wednesday/Thursday to check in. I'm not thrilled about the Depo but its only to help reduce the inflammation.


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Got my second opinion today. Not stomatitis since its happening at this age.

Age 12? My kitty is 9.5 years old and it's stomatitis. Hope they gave you another reason besides "age" to rule out stomatitis!!!???

 

It was a very thorough exam for a second opinion but well worth it! Throat was clear and there aren't any growths.


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The lack of ulcers is the big reason we are going toward a bacterial infection. There's just inflammation right now. We've got 20 days of antibiotics and the Depo shot he's on. We should know more in a month. I'm not ruling it out though. I'm trying to be positive as I know how excruciating this disease is being that our 5 year old cat Talon has it, I'm well aware of the symptoms and what to expect.


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The lack of ulcers is the big reason we are going toward a bacterial infection. There's just inflammation right now. We've got 20 days of antibiotics and the Depo shot he's on. We should know more in a month. I'm not ruling it out though. I'm trying to be positive as I know how excruciating this disease is being that our 5 year old cat Talon has it, I'm well aware of the symptoms and what to expect.


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Ok. I was just concerned because the other post made it sound as if stomatitis was being ruled out because of age.

Glad you are keeping an eye on it.
Hope whatever the situation, a permenant resolution is found. Hate to see animals suffer in any way shape or form.

Good Luck!

 

I hear ya there! I'm so impatient when it comes to waiting for meds to kick in! I called the other vet we initially went to and felt like my kitty's pain wasn't a big deal. Well it's a huge deal to me! I can't stand it when they hurt. If stomatitis end up being the culprit the recovery just might kill me! After his dental I couldn't sleep. All I did was watch him. I just wanted it to go away!


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If stomatitis end up being the culprit the recovery just might kill me! After his dental I couldn't sleep. All I did was watch him. I just wanted it to go away!


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I soooo understand. We want our furbabies to be JUST FINE all the time.
I still have to watch to make sure my Harmony is eating enough. She is coming along, but I know her mouth still is uncomfortable at some level...

Hang in there!!! What we have to go thru as their humans is nothing compared to what they are having to go thru!!

 

I will! You do the same! It sounds like she's almost out of the woods!


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