Case study Pixel, age 5
Pixel was 5 only years old when she developed Stomatitis and had to have all, but K9 removed. Pixel was fed variety food as in premium wet food, homemade food, some raw meat and kibble. I stopped feeding kibble a year before and implemented home made food as well as raw food in her diet.
Pixel recovered from this major dental surgery fast and seemed to be fine, eating even home made food of chunks of chicken and liver, just a few days after surgery. Some cats do well after surgery and do not experience any other issues and some continue to have issues despite the removal of all of their teeth.
For more information on prevention of dental disease please visit Dental Care (Dogs & Cats)
Stomatitis stems from the Latin word ‘stoma’ meaning mouth. It is a very painful, ongoing inflammation and ulcerated condition of the soft tissues (mucus membranes) in the mouth. In conventional medicine this condition is often very difficult to cure or to control. In chronic cases veterinarians sometimes recommend extracting all of the molar teeth. All cats can be at risk.
This disease is also known as Gingivitis-Stomatitis-Pharyngitis (GSPC), Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic. Feline stomatitis can cause severe pain, appetite loss, depression, irritability and a desire to hide or be alone.
Symptoms of stomatitis
Excessive drooling, halitosis (bad breath), bleeding gums, difficulty eating, swallowing, loss of appetite, or anorexia. The cat may be very hungry, but the pain makes it impossible for the cat to eat, weight loss, stops grooming, avoids being touched or held.
Natural Supplements for Feline Stomatitis
For Mouth Inflammation & Unhealthy Gums
Vitamin B, from a non-yeast source. Avoid using nutritional yeast products. This may make the cat more prone to mouth thrush (yeast infections, candida). Studies report that an evening dose of vitamin-B12 helps to reduce mouth ulcers and it decreases recurring outbreaks. Though Vitamin-B12 was used exclusively in the studies, we recommend a B-complex supplement instead of an isolated B vitamin because other B vitamin deficiencies such as thiamine (vitamin-B1) and vitamin-B6 have also been linked to recurrent mouth ulcers. B vitamins are healing to cells, eyes, the entire gastrointestinal tract, hair, liver, nervous system, mouth and skin.You can use a human B complex vitamin (mixed into food) at half the human dose.
Whole food sources of vitamin B complex that you can add to improve the diet are alfalfa, eggs, fish, fruit, kelp, meat, meaty bones (chicken or turkey necks), veggies, ground nuts. Acidophilus or mixed culture. Use powdered supplements. Feeding live probiotic containing foods like live cultured yogurt can also help treat mouth sores due to their healing effect on the digestive system. Depending on the size of the cat you could give one to three quarters the human dose.
Vitamin E: cats: 50 IU, daily. If the cat will allow it, the oil can also be rubbed on the gums to speed healing and reduce inflammation.
Vitamin A: Depending on the size of the cat, 2000 to 5,000 mg for gum inflammation. Use three times weekly. If the cat has or has had a history of liver problems, decrease the dosage by half (1,000 mg 2 times weekly).
You can also improve the diet with whole food sources of vitamin A such as alfalfa, cod-liver oil, eggs, fruit, fish, kelp, meat, meaty chicken or turkey necks, pulverized vegetables. Vitamin A strengthens bones (teeth are bones) hair, immune and respiratory system, skin and soft tissues.
Zinc: 5 to 15 mg daily. This is especially helpful for inflamed, red, sore gums.
Alfalfa tablets or Bone meal (lead free tested): To add additional calcium to help strengthen bone around the teeth. Cats: 1/4 teaspoon daily.
Kelp or Dulce Powder: cats: 1/8 teaspoon daily
C0-Enzyme Q10, an antioxidant developed in Japan that is used for healing the mucous membranes. Q10 has a real affinity for the gums. Cats: 5 to 10 mg daily.
Pancreatic Enzymes, to aid digestion. Depending on the size of the cat, use one third to one half the human dosage.
SUMMARY OF STOMATITIS SUPPLEMENTS
Acidophilus or mixed powdered culture
Vitamin A – alfalfa (1/4 tsp daily), cod-liver oil
Vitmain B – from a non-yeast source
Vitamin-B12 – evening dose
CO-Enzyme Q10 – cats 5 – 10 mg 1 x day
Vitamin E – cats 50 IU 1 x day
Zinc – 5 – 15 mg 1 x day
Pancreatic Enzymes 1/3 – 1/2 human dose
Holistic Diet for Cats with Stomatitis
This is the most important factor to initiating a cure. Recommended foods that strengthen the kidney and stomach include barley, millet, baby creamed corn, well cooked brown rice (see link below), asparagus, lentils, kidney beans, string beans, celery, ground pork (with very little fat), sardines and eggs. Raw beef cut into small chunks can also be given. AVOID dry foods completely, processed dry foods will create excess heat and fat in the cat’s body which can lead to more inflammation. If you can’t avoid dry feeding, switch to a higher quality brand that uses “human grade food” in their processing, choose one containing highly digestible proteins and that is lower in fat. Supplement this food with small amounts of the (well cooked) cooling grains listed above. Use this link for instructions on how to cook grains for cats.
If you are feeding a homemade diet the ideal ratio of foods would be 60% muscle meat protein, 10% organ meat, 20% finely ground (pulverized) raw or steamed mashed vegetable and 10% cooked grain.Foods to avoid: Acetic foods and gluten. Gluten allergies can cause gastrointestinal and mouth ulcers. Gluten is a compound present in grains like wheat, barley, oats, and rye.
Homeopathy for Feline Stomatitis
To heal and prevent the return of feline stomatitis, use the homeopathic remedies…
Boiron, Mercurius Solubilis 30C
Fragaria Vesca 30C
Since I published the page on STOMATITIS, I have learned of a wonderful homeopathy formula from a fellow rescuer. I do not know every product, nor every holistic company out there. But when I learn and research a new company I will share on appropriate pages.
This Homeopathy formula was excellent for treating stomatitis pain and inflammation in cat. The same formula is used for dogs, but it is labeled for dogs !
Oral Health for Cats Dental Treatment – Natural Stomatitis and Gingivitis Solution (450 pills) | BestLife4Pets
MORE RESOURCES
Feline gingivostomatitis: Nature’s best medicine — raw meaty bones — to the rescue
FEEDING RAW…
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners/switchingcats.php
HOW TO BRUSH CAT’S TEETH by Dr. Karen Becker
