The vet has diagnosed my 2 year old rescue cat with Gingivostomatitis. At the moment her symptoms are really red gums, bad breath and she seems to do a lot of lip smacking noises. He has said the best thing to do in his and the practices experience is to take all of her teeth out as medicines and cleaning the teeth do not work but this still has a 2 in 3 chance of working. The plaque in minuscule amount s is affecting the gums and the vet says she will have pain which will get worse. I was wondering if anyone has had their cat diagnosed with this and how their cat was after having all their teeth taken out? I feel so bad for her. We have had her and her son for 1 year.
My cat has Gingivostomatitis. Has anyone had any experience of this?
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Provetojuniorconseil
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Hello. That’s a really tough thing to hear, and it’s completely understandable that you feel so much for your little 2-year-old cat when she’s dealing with such a painful and debilitating condition every day.
When medical treatments and dental cleanings are no longer enough to stabilise the situation, a full (or near-full) tooth extraction is indeed often recommended by vets as the most effective long-term therapeutic option.
In practice, here is what we usually see after a full extraction:
Spectacular relief: While the idea of having all her teeth removed might seem daunting, once the healing period is over, the vast majority of cats find a level of comfort that is second to none. By removing the teeth, you’re getting rid of the surfaces where dental plaque builds up, which usually helps to put an end to the chronic inflammatory response.
Diet and daily life: This is a common worry for owners, but cats adapt remarkably well to being toothless. They can still eat without any problems (especially wet food, though many also manage to swallow dry food whole or softened). Most importantly, they get their spark back for playing and grooming, which the pain was stopping them from doing.
Success rate: Even though veterinary medicine can’t guarantee a 100% success rate, this surgery remains the gold-standard treatment when the disease doesn't respond to medication, offering a significant improvement in quality of life in the vast majority of cases.
Don’t hesitate to ask your vet any questions you have so they can talk you through the aftercare and reassure you about pain management. It’s a difficult step to take, but it’s often the best chance at providing lasting relief for your little rescue.
Best regards,
Léo Mettas.
This is not a substitute for medical advice – please consult a vet if needed
Translated from French
J
Jocely
Nowadays, they don't just extract all the teeth in cases like this anymore. It’s managed with steroids and antibiotics if needed. You just get the cats used to eating soft and wet food and they get on fine like that. It’s very traumatic to remove the teeth of a carnivore like a cat. I know two cats who have kept their teeth for years despite the illness, and they’re doing well with regular treatment.
Best wishes
Translated from French
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