Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs

Canine Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis (CUPS), also referred to as Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS), is an ulcerative disorder that affects the lining of the mouth in dogs. It is characterized by painful lesions of the lining of the mouth and connecting tissues. These lesions are caused by an excessive reaction to the plaque on the dog’s teeth, and are therefore more common on surfaces that are in direct contact with the teeth. It can be a daunting condition to treat and it has a tendency to reoccur.

Canine Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis (CUPS) is a chronic oral disorder characterized by painful lesions inside the mouth and on the tongue, caused by an intolerance to plaque.

This disease is considered to be a paradental disease, rather than a periodontal disease. The lesions are located on the oral mucosa, gingiva, tongue and pharynx instead of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament or the structures at the root of the tooth.

• Blood in saliva
• Blood on toys
• Excessive drooling
• Lesions that are near teeth, painful or ulcerative
• Lethargy
• Reluctance to chew on toys
• Reluctance to eat
• Severe halitosis
• Swelling of lining of the mouth
• Swelling of the lip folds
• Thick, cloudy saliva 

Types

Scrupulous dental care at home is essential in preventing recurrences of the symptoms. Brushing your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush is the most common method for removing plaque from their teeth, but this is not a natural process for your dog and they may have to be trained to cooperate with the process. In order to get your dog used to having its teeth brushed, start by getting the dog used to the toothpaste, by letting it lick the toothpaste off your finger, followed by praise and rewards. (It is imperative that to find a toothpaste formulated for dogs, as human toothpaste can quickly prove deadly to dogs due to both fluoride and the possible inclusion of the sweetener xylitol.) The next step is to get the dog used to the feel of something being placed against the teeth by placing the toothpaste on their teeth with your finger and gently rubbing. Once your dog is comfortable with this process, the toothbrush can be introduced by putting the toothpaste on the brush and letting the dog lick it off the brush. Give your pet several days to get used to the feel of the brush on their tongue and gums before actually using it to brush their teeth. Use a soothing voice while brushing your dog’s teeth, and be sure to finish with lots of praise and rewards.

The painful inflammation and lesions of CUPS are caused by a severe reaction to the plaque found on the affected dog’s teeth. The oral ulcers are also called contact ulcers or “kissing ulcers” as they kiss the surface of the tooth. Breeds that may be predisposed to developing CUPS include:

• Dachshund
• German Shepherd
• Greyhound
• Labrador Retriever 
• Maltese

There is also some evidence to indicate that about five to ten percent of these stomatitis cases have a concurrent autoimmune disorder.