Big problem for rescue cat

cavework

We have had our rescue cat .. Big Charlie for over two years now. He was about 7-8 years old when we adopted him. He is pure white , very long haired and has no background before he was taken in by the CPL as a full male stray.
He was in a horrible state .. fur matted , covered in bites where he had been fighting and TBH very unloved.
We have worked really hard with him and can now groom him on the top but he still needs a visit to the vets twice a year to de-matt him /shave him underneath while under sedation. last time they cleaned his teeth at the same time.
Last two days he started to dribble and his front smelt as if he had vomited. I have noticed the smell of vomit once before but just thought he had eaten something and then thrown it up as he appeared fine.
Took him to the vets today and he has been diagnosed as having 'Feline Gingivo-Stommalitis complex.
Aparently this is a reaction to plaque that some cats have and although he can be treated with a steroid injection at 6 month intervals , they can only do this about three times. This dribbling does not happen all the time but will re-occur. There is no cure at the moment and it is not caused by poor quality of food or because a cats teeth have not been cleaned. Some are just more susciptible than others
He would then need to have all his teeth removed and this is a very complicated surgery that would have to be done at a specialist vetenary hospital.
He is nine years old now so we are looking (hopefully ) at another 2 years before this becomes necessary, by which time he will be 11/12 years old.
The steroid injections can cause other problems.
Has anyone else had this problem with their cat and if so could you give me any advice as to what you did please?

Fridaycat

Just wanted to say that I'm sorry to read of your cat's troubles, it sounds like he has had quite an eventful life

I can't offer any specific advice, though, sorry.

cavework

Thank you for replying Friday Cat . I have drained and mashed some tinned Tuna and he and his BF Ginny are now scoffing the lot down.

jungle_jane

i had a cat with this - she didn't dribble b ut her mouth was extremely red, inflamed and painful and she had to have cortisone shots every 6 weeks. i was surprised to read that your fella can't be treated? and i have never heard of this injection they can get 3 or so times?.

What happened with my little girl is that it got worse over about two years. she could only eat very soft food when it was nearly time for her injection and tooth extraction was never an option. i was also very surprised to read that - i think that would be incredibly painful for your cat.

OP my outcome wasn't good - eventually the intervals between her injections got less and less until i had to have her PTS. I believe that we were unlucky though - their symptoms can be relieved in some cases with treatment.

Not sure why your diagnoses and mine were so different with the same disease - although this was 18 years ago and perhaps technology/treatment has evolved?

Interestingly my little girl had a brother and he (aged 19) is still alive today with very healthy teeth and gums. it was just random bad luck that his sister got it.

Really sorry to hear about your guy - it's devastating and you feel so helpless xx

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwww, sorry to hear this... a wee hug for the wee one:o.

I know there's certainly someone on here who has a very young cat that's had to have all its teeth removed (think it was the same problem) but his username is eluding me just now - will try to have a think .....

(Friday do you remember a few months ago, someone with loads of cats & a really young one that'd had to have all it's teeth removed and he was looking for a softish, easily digestible food for her? Think he had good results with the Gourmet pate/wee chunks)

Fridaycat

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Awwww, sorry to hear this... a wee hug for the wee one:o.

I know there's certainly someone on here who has a very young cat that's had to have all its teeth removed (think it was the same problem) but his username is eluding me just now - will try to have a think .....

(Friday do you remember a few months ago, someone with loads of cats & a really young one that'd had to have all it's teeth removed and he was looking for a softish, easily digestible food for her? Think he had good results with the Gourmet pate/wee chunks)

Yes, I do remember now you mention it, rising...mmm.... can't remember who it was either (my head is all fuddled up with cold ). Perhaps if cavework did a search, s/he may be able to find something.

Well remembered though!

rising_from_the_ashes

Found it! (it was bugging me....)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3492465

Cave Oliver's a really nice guy, sure he wouldn't mind a PM......

Fridaycat

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Found it! (it was bugging me....)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3492465

Cave Oliver's a really nice guy, sure he wouldn't mind a PM......

I remember now! (Bit late mind :rotfl:) And I didn't even have to read the thread, I think it was a Maine Coon or Ragdoll cat wasn't it? Really beautiful girl

ka7e

Merlin, my 6 year-old Maine Coon has had the majority of his teeth removed in the past 2 years. He had chronic gum disease and his teeth started to decay from the age of 3. My vet was convinced he needed quite aggressive treament and steroids were never considered. At first he had most of the teeth behind the canines extracted, then later he had a canine and 3 remaining teeth from the back of his mouth extracted. He still dribbles a bit, but there is no nasty smell and he eats both soft and dry food now.

I read that about 20% of cats still have the gum disease even with all the teeth out and you need a very good vet to extract all the roots and flush the sockets. Merlin was x-rayed a couple of times while under anaesthetic to ensure the sockets were clear. A course of painkillers and antibiotics were also prescribed. He is certainly much happier and healthy without his teeth!

albacookie

Lots of good advice here -
http://www.dr-addie.com/stomatitis.html

Among other recommendations she suggests feeding Applaws or Butchers Classic Cat.

rita-rabbit

have you tried toothpaste? I put Logic on my two gumlines (admitedly theirs was plaque/tartar buildup).