Research overview: feline chronic gingivostomatitis

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is a severe, painful inflammatory disease of the mouth characterized by widespread inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa, often causing difficulty eating, drooling, and marked discomfort. Its cause is thought to be an aberrant immune response, frequently associated with calicivirus and influenced by other factors, and it can be frustratingly refractory to medical management. This overview synthesizes the dental and immunology literature rather than one citation, describing the proposed immune-mediated pathogenesis, why associations with calicivirus and dental plaque are studied, and why full-mouth or near-full-mouth tooth extraction is often the most effective treatment. It matters because gingivostomatitis causes substantial suffering and is one of the most challenging oral diseases in cats, driving research into immune mechanisms and better therapies.