Chronic Gingivostomatitis with Esophagitis in Cats

Abstract

BackgroundChronic gingivostomatitis in cats (FCG) is a debilitating disease with potentially deleterious effects on overall health.Hypothesis/ObjectivesLittle is known about the pathophysiology and overall impact of FCG. The aims of our study were to investigate whether gingivostomatitis occurs concurrently with esophagitis, if FCG treatment contributes to esophagitis and if esophagitis exacerbates signs of FCG.AnimalsFifty‐eight cats with clinical signs of FCG and 12 healthy control cats exhibiting no signs of oral disease, all client‐owned.MethodsProspective study. Physical, oral and endoscopic examinations were performed on all cats. Measurements of salivary and esophageal lumen pH were obtained from both groups. Biopsies were acquired from sites of esophageal inflammation in cats with FCG and from normal‐appearing esophageal mucosa in control cats.ResultsThe majority of cats with clinical signs of FCG exhibited some degree of esophagitis especially in the proximal (44/58) and distal (53/58) parts (P < 0.001) with or without columnar metaplasia, compared to controls. All cats lacked signs related to gastrointestinal disease. Salivary and esophageal lumen pH were not statistically different compared to controls.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFeline chronic gingivostomatitis seems to occur concurrently with esophagitis. Esophagitis also should be managed in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis because it may aggravate the existing condition.

An Update on Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

“…It has recently been found that esophagitis seems to occur concurrently with FCGS. 35 In a controlled study involving 58 cats with FCGS, evidence of esophagitis was found via esophagoscopy in 98% of cats with FCGS, compared with control cats. Interestingly, none of the cats showed clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease.…”

“…In light of the findings of this study, diagnosis and treatment or empiric treatment of esophagitis may be considered in cats affected by FCGS, especially considering that both diseases share some clinical signs (ie, ptyalism, nausea, and inappetence). 35…”

Mesenchymal stem cells therapy in companion animals: useful for immune-mediated diseases?

“…Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a severe, idiopathic, inflammatory oral disease characterized by severe inflammation of the gingiva, buccal mucosa and caudal oral mucosa, that affects approximately 0.7–10% of the general cat population [55–57]. The aetiology of FCGS is poorly understood, nonetheless it has been suggested that microbial factors and alterations in the innate immune response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder [58]. Researchers believe that the factor contributing the most to the development of this disorder is the presence of bacterial plaque and that the development of FCGS is due to an immune abnormality, specifically related to the inflammatory mediators produced by lymphocytes and plasma cells in response to infectious agents (e.g.…”

Inter- and intra-observer reliability of quantitative sensory testing performed with the SMall animal ALGOmeter (SMALGO) to evaluate pain associated with feline gingivostomatitis

“…It can severely affect the quality of life of affected cats, as well as their behaviour. 3,4 The prevalence of the disease is high, seen in 0.7-12% of the cats in the USA. 1 Although the exact aetiology of feline CGS is still unknown, it is widely recognised that many factors, namely environmental factors, dental disease, various bacterial and viral infections, immune response and stress, contribute to its development.…”

“…1 Although the exact aetiology of feline CGS is still unknown, it is widely recognised that many factors, namely environmental factors, dental disease, various bacterial and viral infections, immune response and stress, contribute to its development. [3][4][5] Cats with CGS are likely to experience pain. Unfortunately, pain can easily go underdiagnosed in feline patients, and quantifying pain in cats can be extraordinarily challenging, even for the most experienced veterinarian.…”