Here's a weird one. My cat has stomatitis

[fightingmom]

This is going to sound crazy, but I've been studying human physiology and I'm completely fascinated with the science behind things and "why things work the way they do" -- with that said, I find myself wondering about associations between things at times and I have been wondering something.

 

One of our cats was recently diagnosed with feline stomatitis. Basically, they say it's an inflammation in the tissue of the mouth due to an improper immune response where the body overreacts to the BACTERIA in the mouth. That's the shortened version of it. It's almost like my cat has PANDAS!

 

Here's where I wonder....first, over 50% of the cases are thought to be a result of bartonella. She was tested for this and it came back negative. 2nd...I have read numerous articles stating that the bacteria that typically causes feline dental disease or gingivitis or swelling of tonsils, etc. (which this is like but on a grander scale) is typically streptococcus, bartonella or mycoplasma.

 

This is a little too close for comfort for me. Am I crazy to be wondering if there is a link here?

Edited March 20, 2012 by fightingmom

[nicklemama]

I don't know about a link but wanted to tell you I had a cat w/ stomatitis. There wasn't much to be done back then but give prednisone and amoxi. She lived to be 16 and died of cancer. I don't know what they recommend now but if i had it to do over, I'd have requested they remove all of her molars and maybe all of her teeth. It was kind of an 'out there' thing to do way back when in the mid 90's.

[fightingmom]

Thanks for your perspective. Been doing the same with meds - also started colostrum and lactoferrin a few weeks ago. As soon as meds stop, it comes back she's off food. Been researching it quite a bit, there's even a yahoo group and the tooth removal seems to yield results only about 50% of the time. If it yielded a higher success rate I would have just done it from the get go. I'm on the fence. It seems SO extreme, and I feel so bad....but on the flip side, I'm feeding her baby food off my fingers this week...not exactly pleasant for anyone.

[bulldog24]

I used to be a vet tech before lyme got me. I just had my bulldogS throat swabbed under anesthesia. It is possible that there is strep in there. Reverse zoonosis.

[bulldog24]

Zith might be a good med to try.

 

Also if kitty fets her teeth out, I would culture her mouth

[fightingmom]

Bulldog, if she does get her teeth out will that eliminate the breeding ground for bacteria, or would her gums still be a source?

 

First, I want to do what's best for her health and if there is a chance she could be perpetuating issues with my son, I guess my question is would that go away once the teeth are gone?

Edited March 21, 2012 by fightingmom

[fightingmom]

I will ask the vet about zith and see how that goes. Thanks.

[bulldog24]

I was mostly an icu nurse. So I would have to look into it for you.. which I will. The usual bart tx is 30 days zith.

[fightingmom]

Thank you so much!!

[tpotter]

Not uncommon for animals to either get what their owners have or v.v. When my children got sick, and I told the vet that I was concerned about our dog getting a live vaccine, it totally understood (way better than the vast majority of human drs.) He asked if he needed to treat the dog, because maybe he was sick, also. I called the neurologist, who had the vet call her, and the dog was given a big shot of penicillin. Fast forward through the years, and every time the kids get sick (particularly DS16 who lets the dog fall asleep with him until the dog is taken out for a last walk at night), the dog gets sick. This last time when we just couldn't get rid of DS16's illnesses (one after the other from September - February), I asked the vet if he could put the dog on long term abx like we all are (we also have lyme, bartonella, etc.) The vet thought for about 1 minute, and said: "fine." When I bring the dog to the kennel, I now pre-treat him with azith as well.

 

Good luck