What are Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers?
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.
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.
Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers Average Cost
From 60 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,500
Average Cost
$2,200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs
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.
Causes of Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs
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.
Diagnosis of Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs
Initial diagnosis is based on the placement and appearance of the inflammation and the lesions. The ulcers form in the mouth mainly where the surface of the skin touches the teeth. The dog may exhibit reluctance to have its mouth examined due to pain. CUPS is similar in presentation to several other diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris and epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma, and additional testing will need to be done to exclude them from the diagnosis. A complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis will be done, as well as an evaluation of thyroid function.
Laboratory findings may show increased immunoglobulins and white blood cells, but any other unusual readings would need further analysis. A biopsy to rule out certain types of auto-immune disorders may also be recommended. Since the treatment for some auto-immune diseases is very different from the treatment for CUPS, it is essential to rule these out before finalizing any treatment plans.
Treatment of Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs
The first course of action in treating CUPS is to remove as much plaque from the surface of the teeth as possible. The patient is likely to be anesthetized for the cleaning procedure, which will most likely include a more comprehensive assessment of oral health. X-rays of the dog’s mouth will be taken at this time and the teeth will be probed and charted to check for periodontal disease. Any teeth that are significantly affected by damage or disease may also be removed at this time.
Your veterinarian will most likely prescribe pain management medication to help with pain from any extractions as well as the pain from the disorder itself. In some situations, additional medications such as antibiotics or corticosteroids may be recommended. If these measures combined with meticulous follow-up care are unable to bring relief a whole-mouth tooth extraction may be needed to control the disorder. In extreme cases, medication will continue to be required even after extraction.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Dogs
This disorder requires vigilance on the part of the owner to resolve. Any buildup of plaque can result in new lesions forming, so steps must be taken to maintain the cleanliness of the canine’s mouth. Daily or twice-daily brushing of the dog’s teeth is a must in all cases where teeth are retained. Wax barriers, oral rinses or gels and even prescription dental diets may be employed to reduce the amount of plaque that forms in the mouth, and regular dental assessments and cleanings will be mandatory to maintain oral health. Dogs that require an entire mouth of teeth extraction generally respond well to the procedure, but soft food will be required for the remainder of their lives.
Conditions related to chronic mouth inflammation and ulcers can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers Average Cost
From 60 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,500
Average Cost
$2,200
Top
Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pit Bullmastiff
Bud
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Appetite
I noticed yesterday that my dogs breathe was horrible . He's never had bad breathe so it surprised me. My BF put a lil toothpaste in his mouth, I didn't know till after riding this, that's a big no no! But he's his appetite has been down here lately. Kinda loosing weight. I looked in his mouth an on the right top inside was bout a dime size blister. He seems to be in pain . And I'm sure that toothpaste didn't help matters. So i take him to the Vet like asap?
Jan. 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. While i can't examine him, he may have an ulcer or foreign body in his mouth that needs attention. It would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian so that they can look at it and get him appropriate treatment. I hope that everything goes well for him!
Jan. 5, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Beagle
Bagel
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mouth Ulcers, Fever, Ropy Foul Smelling Saliva
My dog seems to have CUPS though our regular vet & a vet at an animal hospital didn't call it that. He was sedated so they could open his mouth and show us the white and red (I guess those were ruptured?) legions on his gums, toungue, and back of throat. He had a check up where they looked in his mouth a little over 2 weeks ago & all was fine. I read that manipulating the plaque can cause the ulcers. Should we have his teeth cleaned while he is in this condition? In the last 5 days he barely ate or drank & getting antibiotics or pain pills into him was nearly impossible. We now have a liquid anti inflammatory that we will start today & he had an antibiotic injection (Convenia). We are so worried. Keeping him clean due to the horrible smelling slobber has been very hard. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Aug. 30, 2017
1 Recommendations
Generally in these cases, removal of all plaque and a full scale and polish is usually done along with extraction of rotten teeth (and healthy teeth in some cases). Antibiotics and antiinflammatories are usually prescribed as well to help but may need to be altered according to the case. Below are two useful resources, the first is our page on chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (CUPS) and another from an online Veterinary Resource. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMwww.vetary.com/dog/condition/chronic-ulcerative-paradental-stomatitishttp://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/dental-corner-diagnosing-and-treating-chronic-ulcerative-paradental-stomatitis?id=&pageID=1&sk=&date=
Aug. 30, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
German Shepherd
Charlee
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tongue
My 2 year old German Shepherd Dog has a sore on her tongue by her bottom canine tooth. Three days ago it looked like she bit it and it was ulcerated. But today it looks like part of her tongue is missing!! Looks like an indentation on the side of her tongue. What could be going on?? We are taking her to the vet in the morning, but I'm trying not to panic tonight. She had a bacterial (streptococcus) infection in her elbow joint that took the specialist two months to finally get a clean fluid sample. She was on a ton of antibiotics for almost two months and went off them two weeks ago. Could this be related?? Thank you for any help you can give me.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Dogs, like humans, may bite their tongue whilst eating or sleeping and isn’t normally something to worry about; the tongue usually repairs itself quite quickly without incident. Visiting your Veterinarian is a good idea given Charlee’s history with infections, but I cannot think of anything connected to the previous treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Beagle
Cooper
11 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Threw Up Once
My dog has this white growth on his lower gum , it doesn't appear to be bothering him, but he threw-up today and I am wondering if it is related and how can I treat it at home. I don't have the finances nor a car to get me to a vet. Please advise.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
There are many different types of masses which may occur on the gums including epulis, tumours and papillomas; it is possible that the mass is a viral papilloma which is normally self limiting and will resolve spontaneously within five months or so. I cannot give you a diagnosis without examining Cooper and would recommend visiting a Veterinarian regardless of cost to diagnose the condition. There isn’t really an at-home treatment for oral masses, they either need to be removed, frozen or will resolve spontaneously depending on the underlying cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMwww.vetary.com/dog/condition/viral-papilloma
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Chronic Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers Average Cost
From 60 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,500
Average Cost
$2,200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
