How to Treat Feline Stomatitis and Whether It Is Contagious

Feline stomatitis has various causes, and the infectivity differs depending on the specific cause. For instance, stomatitis caused by physical and chemical stimuli is not contagious, while stomatitis caused by microbial infections may be contagious under certain circumstances, such as leptospirosis and feline herpesvirus infections. The treatment for feline stomatitis depends on the underlying cause and may include removing the cause and enhancing care.

There are many causes of feline stomatitis, and whether it is contagious depends on the specific reason, which can be divided into the following aspects:

If the stomatitis is caused by physical or chemical stimuli, it generally does not have contagiousness. Common physical stimuli include foreign objects, tartar, and dental calculus. Chemical stimuli include contact with corrosive strong acids, bases, and oxidizers.
If the stomatitis is caused by microbial infections, it may have some contagiousness, such as leptospirosis and feline infectious tracheitis. Symptoms of feline stomatitis include redness, swelling, and pain in the oral mucosa, accompanied by difficulty chewing, drooling, and bad breath. Diagnosis is generally based on the symptoms of oral mucositis.
Fungal and bacterial stomatitis can be confirmed by isolating and culturing the pathogens. The treatment principle for stomatitis is to remove the cause and strengthen care. It is recommended to provide the cat with clean drinking water, supplement enough B-group vitamins, and feed nutritious, easy-to-digest food with low stimulation to the oral mucosa, such as broth and fish soup. For bacterial stomatitis, effective antibiotics should be selected for treatment, such as cephalosporins. Topically, the mouth can be rinsed with 1% potassium permanganate solution, 1-2 times daily. When there is excessive oral secretion, rinse with 1% alum solution. Apply 5% iodine glycerin to the oral ulcer surface.