by Nomi Berger
 
Feline stomatitis (often called feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS) by veterinary dentists) is a complex and painful disease that causes severe inflammation of cats’ entire mouths, including the gum tissue around their teeth and their mucous membranes.
 
While the precise cause of this disease isn’t clear, most experts believe that it results from an abnormal and overactive immune reaction. The immune systems of cats suffering from frequent viral or bacterial infections may start “attacking” their mouths’ healthy tissue, resulting in swelling and pain. Cats with weakened immune systems due to FIV or FeLV infections may also be more prone to developing stomatitis.
 
The earliest symptoms of stomatitis in your own kitty are: a foul odor eminating from her mouth, often accompanied by excessive salivation and/or drooling; she isn’t grooming herself as often; she may drop food from her mouth or cry out while she’s eating. Some cats’ mouths become so painful that they’re hesitant to eat and may avoid food to the point where they begin losing weight.
 
Should you notice any of these symptoms in your kitty, bring her to the vet immediately for a thorough examination. A diagnosis of stomatitis is based primarily on her medical history and her symptoms. Blood and urine tests will look for some underlying systemic disease that may be responsible for her inflamed gums and oral tissues. Dental x-rays will determine if there’s any damage to the tooth roots and other supporting structures.
 
The first step in treating your cat (most often, no specific underlying cause can be identified) is a complete oral health evaluation of her mouth and the removal of all plaque and tartar under general anesthesia. The deposits of plaque and tartar are removed with ultrasonic scaling followed by polishing of the tooth surfaces. It’s essential to meticulously clean the tissues beneath the gumline in order to remove any accumulated plaque or tartar. Afterwards, the gingivitis should subside, although some cats will require frequent dental cleanings to help keep their mouths as healthy as possible.
 
Treating your kitty at home involves brushing her teeth and using either chlorhexidine rinses or gels to manage the disease. Your vet may prescribe pain medications, broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications for her. If she’s hesitant to eat in the first few days following this procedure, your vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant for her. If she’s accustomed to eating hard kibble, feed her canned food instead and keep her on a softened diet while she’s healing. Once the gum tissue has healed, she may be willing and able to eat kibble again.
 
If, however, at some point, several or all of her teeth need to be extracted, she can still do very well – provided she continues to have routine dental evaluations and treatments. Once her mouth is free of pain and inflammation, not only will her appetite improve so will her attitude and, most importantly, her quality of life.

by Nomi Berger
 
Toe tufts, sometimes known as toe “floofs,” are bits of fur that grow between a cat’s toes. Typically found on cat breeds with medium to long coats (examples: Balinese, Cymric, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Ragdolls and Somali), these bits of fur extend past the cat’s paw pads.
 
As to the purpose of toe tufts: It’s posited that historically they helped provide cats in the wild with much-needed traction and protection. And similar to the hair on the rest of their body, long hairs between a cat’s toes help to protect their feet from the cold and any harsh surfaces that may cause painful abrasions on their paw pads.
 
In most cases, you don’t have to trim your cat’s toe tufts unless these errant wisps of fur are causing her such problems as:
 
Irritation: The tufts are too long and are making your cat uncomfortable. Sometimes the fur tickles, irritating her and forcing her to lick or pull at the hair in search of relief. This behavior can escalate into a compulsion that may cause other issues, in which case, the wisest course of action IS to trim those tufts.
 
Debris collecting: A guaranteed “magnet” for such things as kitty litter and human hair, dirt and dust, your cat’s toe tufts should be trimmed to keep her from tracking any and all unwanted debris throughout the rooms of your home.
 
Slipping and sliding: Overgrown toe tufts may cause your cat to slip and slide as she makes her way across whatever kind of flooring you have in your home: from vinyl and linoleum, stone and hardwood to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, marble and laminates. Not getting the proper traction on the floor is a safety hazard, and a slight fur trim is highly recommended.
 
Matting: Because mats are particularly painful and can lead to skin infections if not addressed in a timely manner, trim your cat’s toe tufts to help keep her healthy and happy. Using a pair of scissors, carefully snip the longer hairs until they no longer cover her paw pads. You won’t have to shorten them further unless there’s obvious irritation between her toes. In that case, consult your vet on the best way to treat her.
 
Alternatives to trimming your cat’s toe tufts include:
 
Carpeting: While not to everyone’s taste, and especially problematic if you suffer from allergies, carpeting, or at the very least, area rugs are excellent anti-slip and slide options for cats with toe tufts.
 
Grippable furniture: If you have tall cat trees or wall-mounted shelving, jumping onto and off them can be particularly dangerous for a cat with toe tufts. To reduce the risk of her slipping and falling, add grippable pieces of furniture like a strategically placed cushioned stool or covered chair close to those areas to literally act as cat “safety nets.”