Calm Down! Red and Swollen Cat Gums Heal at Home in 7 D
It seems that feline gingivitis is quite common; I have three cats, and two of them have experienced it. Last month, my British Shorthair cat started showing signs of gum inflammation. Initially, I noticed her being cautious while eating, frequently drooling, and her mouth had a distinct, unpleasant smell.
Upon inspecting her mouth, I was shocked to see a thick layer of yellow tartar on her upper teeth, and the corresponding lower gums had grown a red, painful lump that looked as if it was throbbing.
After searching the internet extensively, I couldn't find any similar symptoms, but it didn't seem to be a case of stomatitis either. She was in good spirits and her appetite was normal, so I suspected it was due to tartar buildup leading to gingivitis. I promptly removed a large piece of tartar manually (it was quite gross, so I didn't take a picture of it).
Following some online advice, I tried using some snow melon powder, but my cat seemed particularly sensitive to bitterness. After each application, she would drool excessively and spit out white bubbles, looking as if she had been poisoned. A quick search for reliable information confirmed that I was at fault.
Not wanting my cat to endure more discomfort, I consulted a veterinarian and ordered a petspecific oral antiseptic spray (Le kou Ning). This spray seemed to have no bitter taste, and she showed no adverse reactions after using it. It was also much more convenient than the snow melon powder. I applied it 12 times a day, with 35 sprays each time. After a few days of continuous use, the red lump on her gums had significantly reduced, and she became more eager to eat.
Additionally, I gave her 3 days of metronidazole tablets to help with inflammation, taking one tablet daily. (I stopped after the lump reduced, as metronidazole is an antibiotic and I didn't want to give it to her for too long.)
After another three days of using the oral spray, the lump's color had lightened considerably, and she no longer drooled. Although the bad breath was still noticeable, it might be due to tartar, so I plan to buy some dental powder and teeth cleaning chews to clean her teeth.
With this experience under my belt, I wasn't at all worried when I found that another cat had also developed red, swollen gums. I followed the same treatment protocol and, to my relief, her gums also returned to normal.
The veterinarian suggested that my cats' successive cases of gingivitis might be due to the calicivirus, but after taking them to the hospital for checks, we confirmed they were not infected with feline calicivirus. Therefore, besides the tartar issue, it could also be due to a lack of vitamin B in their diet. I am now actively supplementing their vitamin B.
For those of you who encounter feline gingivitis, don't panic. You can try giving your cat metronidazole tablets and vitamin B, along with the oral antiseptic spray, and observe the situation for a few days. However, for severe cases of stomatitis, it is crucial to seek medical treatment promptly to avoid complications.
