Stomatitis in cats is a very common problem… and very painful. Cats are subtle creatures that do not show pain well. As a result, signs of dental pain in cats are easily overlooked.
Sometimes it is really just the social behaviours we see. Social withdrawal is often a clue that cats are not well. With the long-term pain of stomatitis in cats, this behaviour becomes normal and passed off as maturity.
Cats that have their stomatitis treated will be much less painful in a matter of weeks and owners will notice a sudden and very welcome return to cuddles with the family. This was certainly the case with Sox.
Christine
Just a brief note to thank you for your management of our Sox’s serious dental problems.
As you know Sox had suffered for months and months with painful gum and mouth infections. In consultation with his vet we had tried long and varied treatment with antibiotics, unfortunately, all without success.
It was clear to me that he was suffering and he constantly struggled to remain engaged with us (his family for the whole of his six years of life). In short, he couldn’t go on this way.
Your suggestion of removing all his teeth was horrific to us, and I couldn’t imagine him having any sort of life afterwards if he survived.
It was very much a leap of faith allowing you to proceed and we were amazed how quickly he recovered. His pain management after the operation was excellent and almost immediately he was enjoying his food again for the first time in a long long time. As you know, at the 6-week stage most of his mouth infection had cleared up and it continues to improve.
Most important to us is that he is no longer in pain. But amazingly he is a different cat now. Somehow through this process he seems to know we played a part in helping him and he has become part of the family – not just our cat. He previously preferred to be alone and came inside only for his evening meal and then disappeared upstairs till morning. He now clearly enjoys spending time with us both during the day and in the evening.
Thank you again for helping Sox, and us, to get through what seemed to be a hopeless situation for him.
Best wishes.
David
