Lucy is a rescued kitty who first came in to Jarrettsville Veterinary Center with her new owner because she wasn’t feeling well – she was lethargic, not eating well, and had two large lumps on the side of her mouth. She was diagnosed with severe stomatitis and hospitalized for treatment. Over the course of the next several months, Lucy received multiple medical treatments in an effort to manage the distressing symptoms caused by her stomatitis. She was given several courses of antibiotics, steroids, and pain meds, and even received laser treatments to help manage pain and swelling. Eventually it was recommended that the best way to help Lucy would be to schedule her for a complete dental cleaning and extractions of diseased teeth.

Severe stomatitis.

Stomatitis is a severe, painful inflammation of a cat’s mouth and gums. In most cases, the condition causes ulcers to form in the mouth; these ulcers can involve the lips, tongue, gums, and back of the throat. Cats of any age or breed can be affected.

There is no single cause of feline stomatitis. Dental disease (particularly periodontal disease) is commonly implicated as a cause of stomatitis in cats. Periodontal disease results from the accumulation of plaque (bacteria) on and around the teeth, which causes inflammation involving the gums and tooth support structures.

In many cases, the cause is assumed to be immune mediated, meaning that the cat’s immune system attacks its own oral tissues as an abnormal response to bacteria in the mouth. Other medical conditions that can be associated with stomatitis include infection with viruses [such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and calicivirus] and bartonellosis.

Lucy underwent a stage 3 scale and polish and had multiple tooth extractions.

Itemized procedures/costs

IV catheter placement $40
IV fluids $50
Fluid pump $25
Propoflo induction $60
Scale and polish, stage 3 $115
Marcaine injectable 0.5% (local anesthetic) $20.20
Rimadyl injection 50 mg/mL (analgesic/pain relief) $17.20
Buprenex 0.3 mg/ml oral solution (analgesic/pain relief) $13.30
Amoxidrops 30ml (antibiotic) $25
Tooth extraction, 2 root (6 teeth) $240
Tooth extraction, 3 root elevated (2 teeth) $100

TOTAL COST: $705.70

Lucy’s story is shared with permission from her owner.

Lucy’s story was published by Suzanne Cannon on behalf of Jarrettsville Veterinary Center.

Lucy did well and is feeling much better after her dental cleaning and extractions.