What's going on when my cat drools and has a bad smell?

There are many reasons for a cat to drool and have a bad smell, mainly considering mouth inflammation, gingivitis, dental calculus, and herpes virus infection. The clinical symptoms of mouth inflammation include drooling, eating pain, and anorexia, which can be divided into ulcerative, necrotic, and vesicular types. Due to the severity of the condition, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

Reasons for cat drooling: Firstly, consider herpes virus infection. The virus mainly reproduces in shallow tissues such as the eyes, mouth, and upper respiratory tract, with clinical symptoms such as sneezing, increased eye and nose secretions, conjunctivitis, drooling, and oral pain. Secondly, consider mouth inflammation. The causes of mouth inflammation include physical and chemical stimuli, bacterial infections, vitamin B deficiency, and nutritional metabolic disorders. The clinical manifestations include red and swollen oral mucosa, pain, difficulty eating, drooling, and bad breath. Gingivitis and dental calculus cause drooling and bad breath due to continuous microbial or foreign body stimulation of the oral mucosa, leading to an increase in saliva secretion. Meanwhile, the decomposition and fermentation of food residues in the mouth cause bad breath.

The treatment principles for herpes virus infection include antiviral therapy, controlling secondary infections, and symptomatic treatment. Cat interferon can be used to assist in antiviral treatment, and antibiotics can be applied to control diseases such as rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The treatment for mouth inflammation varies depending on the cause, with the general treatment principle being to eliminate the cause and strengthen care. Provide clean drinking water and supplement adequate vitamin B. Feed the cat low-irritating and easily digestible food to reduce stimulation to the affected mucosa. For bacterial mouth inflammation, effective antibiotics should be used promptly, such as cephalosporins and quinolone drugs.