โรคเหงือกและช่องปากอักเสบ (โรคเหงือกและช่องปากอักเสบเรื้อรังในแมว)

Key Facts

• The cat becomes essentially allergic to its own teeth
• Striking inflammation throughout the mouth, centered on the palatoglossal arch (fauces)
• Plaque bacteria is the specific trigger; why some cats develop it is unknown
• Not clearly related to FeLV, FIV, sex, or diet, though calicivirus carriers may be predisposed
• Signs: severe mouth pain, difficulty eating, drooling, weight loss, bad breath, poor grooming
• Treatment of choice: extraction of affected teeth (molars/premolars)
• Full extraction cures 60% outright; rises to 90% if canines also removed
• Early extraction yields best results; delayed medical management reduces success
• Remaining 20-40% need ongoing medication (cyclosporine, steroids, antibiotics)
• Cats do not need teeth to eat and thrive after extraction
• Species: cats