Polyps/Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome

[Rysiek]

Can you call the dentist and explain what is going on? It is a possibility that they will not talk to you without having seen your cat, but if they will you can briefly explain what has happened and ask them if they feel that they could be able to diagnose or if they feel that this is out of their specialty. Tell them about his diagnosis so far. The practice of dentistry includes a number of specialties which this dentist might be able to provide.

I know that this is like a roll of the dice and is not that helpful.

You are thinking that despite the FOPS that it is not really pain, but some kind of inability to move the tongue, almost like he has novocaine (which he does not) in his tongue?

I did email them and their answer is below, I will tell them more about my worries about fops and that his eating problem was triggered by a dental cleaning, they are the only dental clinic in Scotland and a good one. DentalVets
I saw in their info that they are aware of fops.

Our oral assessment of Ryshu will include all area of the oral cavity (soft tissues, bones, teeth, tongue). The oral assessment will also include dental radiographs of all of his teeth. My ain for the day will be to identify any abnormal areas or the cause of the oral pain and treat it. This is likely by extractions of affected teeth. If he does have an oral condition we will diagnose and treat it on the day he is here at DentalVets. Please give Ryshu his gabapentin in the morning before travelling to DentalVets.

 

[fionasmom]

Really professional looking clinic. They do include FOPS under the care that they provide for cats, so as I suspected they are full service. It might be worth doing this, but I do understand the inconvenience involved for both you and Ryshu.

 

[Rysiek]

Really professional looking clinic. They do include FOPS under the care that they provide for cats, so as I suspected they are full service. It might be worth doing this, but I also get why you are hesitating.

I am so grateful for talking here and all your and other people support.
I am planning to go. He will be after his morning dose of gabapentin so he will be asleep...
Thank you so much

 

[marshmallow2013]

There was no mass under his tongue at his last visit three weeks ago...

What caused you cat to drop food? Is there any explanation for this?

I feel the deep cleaning caused all the problems because his eating behavior changed right after the procedure. Sadly, I was not able to get a good explanation from the vet who cleaned the teeth or the new vet I took him too. The new vet did say that the cleaning, if not done by an experienced vet might have damaged his gums. All I know it was not a coincidence because my cat had no problem eating before the deep cleaning and his bloodwork was great.
Your dental Vet Clinic looks wonderful.

 

[Rysiek]

I feel the deep cleaning caused all the problems because his eating behavior changed right after the procedure. Sadly, I was not able to get a good explanation from the vet who cleaned the teeth or the new vet I took him too. The new vet did say that the cleaning, if not done by an experienced vet might have damaged his gums. All I know it was not a coincidence because my cat had no problem eating before the deep cleaning and his bloodwork was great.
Your dental Vet Clinic looks wonderful.

Exactly, the same, all the problems started after a deep cleaning...
Perhaps our dental appointment will help...

Has you cat ever recovered from the damage to his gums?

He had been scratching again, I am a bit concerned that now, after steroids have been stopped, the mass may be getting bigger...
All will be checked out at his dental...

 

[marshmallow2013]

Exactly, the same, all the problems started after a deep cleaning...
Perhaps our dental appointment will help...

Has you cat ever recovered from the damage to his gums?

He had been scratching again, I am a bit concerned that now, after steroids have been stopped, the mass may be getting bigger...
All will be checked out at his dental...

Sadly my cat survived only 8 months after the cleaning. He passed away from scc tumor under his tongue. My new vet told me that some studies have shown a link between inflammation and squamous cell carinoma. At the time of the dental cleaning my cat was not prescribed prednisolone or antibiotics which was needed. He started scratching under his chin which was misdiagnosed as allergies by his first vet who cleaned his teeth.

I don’t think dental cleaning caused the cancer. Untreated inflammation and irritation from the deep cleaning could have caused the cancer, as my new vet said.

 

[Rysiek]

We have appointment scheduled for next Friday. Bit worried about the journey but he will be after his gabapentin. Bit concerned that they may just irritate things more...
He has been much better in terms of taking his meds (no problem anymore, he got into routine and I am more efficient), but also generally better, more active, happier, less sleeping...
But still problems with eating...I am unsure how they can fix it...

 

[fionasmom]

Express your concerns to the dental vets, especially that you are worried about any additional discomfort in his mouth. I remember they mentioned extractions as a possibility, but ask them to inform you of everything before it is done.

 

[marshmallow2013]

How is your guy doing?

 

[Rysiek]

How is your guy doing?

Thank you. He was a bit sick today morning after taking medication...
He has periods of lethargy and sometimes as if in pain...but then he has some bright and happy spells.

We are going tomorrow...

 

[Rysiek]

We are back from a dental and it was worth it...slowly getting to the roots of his problems...
He continues to have inflammation in his mouth which may be related to Feline calicivirus, the swab has been taken and sent to the laboratory in France...He continues to have gingivitis...so additional treatment is required...
It is also possible that he has acid reflux, as his tongue appears to have some lesions...
Additionally, one tooth was cracked and this has been treated...

So poor boy has been in daily pain, even when eating

I have additional medication for him including morphine type painkiller on top of gabapentin, also omeprasole and metacam...
+ if possible I have a special toothpaste.
So now, I will have to give him three meds via siringe and one in a tablet form!

After 10 days I need to update the vet.
We have follow up in 8 weeks, if no improvement some teeth will need to be extracted...

He was so good in a car! Long journey and congested roads...

Very experienced and knowledgeable vet, she knew about fops, but said that this is often misdiagnosed when vets cannot find a reason for pain...she will look for any other reasons...if this will be eventually diagnosed he can get a nerve block (they do this in their vet practice as well)

 

[marshmallow2013]

So good to hear he had a thorough exam. Thank you so much for the update.

 

[fionasmom]

I am so glad to hear that you had a helpful visit which a competent doctor and that things are at least in place to help him get back to a normal life.

 

[Rysiek]

He seems to be responding well to his treatment ...for the first time after a long time he managed to eat bigger chunks without them falling out of his mouth ...he used to leave all the bits from a salmon soup, but ate them all yesterday!!!
He gets two 0.50ml syringes in the morning (metacam and gabapentin) with additional 0.15ml of buprenorphine and one gabapentin in evening. Additionally, gets omeprasole with his evening food...
I am preparing mentally to brushing his teeth. I think I need an extra soft toothbrush as his gums are affected...perhaps I will just start with my finger...we have PetDent gel, which contains chlorhexidine...I just read an instruction, this gel is to apply by finger or soft brush...

I feel so relieved, although still unsure, as it has been such a long process...

He avoids me a bit...which I understand...

 

[fionasmom]

You must be thrilled that he is able to eat some larger pieces of food.

 

[Rysiek]

Update:
He has been a bit better, no signs of pain neither shaking head...
Still having some problems with eating, food falling out of his mouth, but better...
I think it is his tongue rather than teeth...

Unfortunately, he refused to eat food with omeprasole in it, so I have to make a water solution and give it by syringe...
I have not tried yet to give him as a tablet...it seems a bit complicated...

We are still waiting for his results on possibility of a viral infection...

 

[fionasmom]

Good to hear that the improvement you saw has continued!

 

[heatherwillard0614]

Update:
He has been a bit better, no signs of pain neither shaking head...
Still having some problems with eating, food falling out of his mouth, but better...
I think it is his tongue rather than teeth...

Unfortunately, he refused to eat food with omeprasole in it, so I have to make a water solution and give it by syringe...
I have not tried yet to give him as a tablet...it seems a bit complicated...

We are still waiting for his results on possibility of a viral infection...

This should help with administering his meds

 

[Rysiek]

Just spoke to the vet, no viruses, everything came negative...
He does not have stomatitis neither teeth resorption...
He had gingivitis...

Her protocol now is to stop buprenorphine...then we will try to tapper gabapentin, then Loxicom and omeprasole as a last one...
She is a very experienced vet and I do trust her judgment, but still unsure if and what caused reflux?

 

[Rysiek]

Can someone explain to me what is this foam (type of vomit) type response after giving liquid medicine and how to prevent it. He was very distressed and this has not happened before...