Objectives

This study aimed to characterize the clinical, radiographic and histopathologic features of early-onset gingivitis (EOG) and periodontitis in cats.

Methods

The medical records database was searched for cats diagnosed with histologically confirmed EOG or periodontitis from 1997 to 2022. Information such as medical history, lifestyle factors, clinical presentation, radiographic and histopathologic features were included for 27 client-owned cats. Response to treatment and long-term follow-up was also recorded.

Results

Moderate-to-severe periodontal disease was radiographically confirmed in 78% (21/27) of cats with moderate-to-severe EOG, compared with the evidence of periodontal disease noted in 30% (8/27) of cases during awake oral examination. Horizontal bone loss, along with missing teeth, were the predominant radiographic features noted in 89% (24/27) of cases. The predominant histopathologic feature was moderate-to-severe, erosive-to-ulcerative, neutrophilic and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with varying degrees of epithelial and stromal hyperplasia. Two cats developed feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS)-like lesions, and seven cats exhibited worsening of aggressive periodontitis (AP). Lack of improvement in the severity of gingivitis or clinical signs evident at the first follow-up appointment was significantly associated with progression of disease (P = 0.004).

Conclusions and relevance

The results of this study demonstrate the importance of oral evaluations in cats as early as 6 months of age. For cats exhibiting substantial gingivitis, an anesthetized evaluation, periodontal treatment and long-term monitoring are recommended. Given the high frequency of moderate-to-severe periodontitis encountered in these cats, clients should be informed about the potential need for tooth extractions. EOG may progress to AP. Finally, this study suggests that there could be a link between EOG and FCGS; however, further studies are needed to better characterize this condition and establish any potential link between the two entities.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful, immune-mediated, oral mucosal inflammatory disease in cats. The etiology of FCGS remains unclear, with evidence pointing potentially toward a viral cause. Full-mouth tooth extraction is the current standard of care, and cats that are non-responsive to extraction therapy may need lifelong medical management and, in some cases, euthanasia. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) have been demonstrated to have advantages in the treatment and potentially the cure of non-responsive FCGS in cats. Therefore, adMSCs have attracted a series of ongoing clinical trials in the past decade. AdMSC therapy immediately after full-mouth tooth extraction was not explored, and we postulate that it may benefit the overall success rate of FCGS therapy. Here, we aim to summarize the current knowledge and impact of adMSCs for the therapeutic management of FCGS and to suggest a novel modified approach to further increase the efficacy of FCGS treatment in cats.

This study explored the feasibility of using fish skin bandages as a therapeutic option for third-degree skin burns. Following the California wildfires, clinical observations of animals with third-degree skin burns demonstrated increased comfort levels and reduced pain when treated with tilapia fish skin. Despite the promises of this therapy, there are few studies explaining the healing mechanisms behind the application of tilapia fish skin. In this study, mice with third-degree burns were treated with either a hydrocolloid adhesive bandage (control) (n = 16) or fish skin (n = 16) 7 days post-burn. Mice were subjected to histologic, hematologic, molecular, and gross evaluation at days 7, 16, and 28 post-burn. The fish skin offered no benefit to overall wound closure compared to hydrocolloids. Additionally, we detected no difference between fish skin and control treatments in regard to hypermetabolism or hematologic values. However, the fish skin groups exhibited 2 times more vascularization and 2 times higher expression of antimicrobial defensin peptide in comparison to controls. Proteomic analysis of the fish skin revealed the presence of antimicrobial peptides. Collectively, these data suggest that fish skin can serve as an innovative and cost-effective therapeutic alternative for burn victims to facilitate vascularization and reduce bacterial infection.