Chronic oral infections occur in approximately 50% of cats with FIV-related disease. Cats may show pain when touched on the face, have difficulty eating or refuse to eat, and may have a bad odor around the mouth.
The most common cause of halitosis in cats is periodontal disease caused from plaque and tartar build-up. Plaque-containing bacteria attaches over the freshly cleaned and polished tooth as soon as the cat starts to salivate.
Bad breath can also be the result of a mouth ulcer, mouth sores or even cancer. To prevent most cases of bad breath, brush your cat's teeth - ideally, every day - using tooth gel for felines. "Link the brushing to a treat, such as drinking water from a dripping faucet or a favorite canned food," advises Dr. Davis.
Bad breath is felines is generally attributed to one of two conditions: gingivitis or feline stomatitis. Gingivitis occurs when there is inflammation of the gums and stomatitis is a result of the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the back of the mouth.
Any recurrent illnesses may suggest that the cat has FIV – or another virus, such as FeLV . Common signs include long-lasting or recurrent diarrhoea, a runny nose and sneezing (rhinitis), inflammations of the eye and recurrent skin infections. They are also more likely to get some types of cancer.
There are three phases of infection with FIV - the acute phase, the asymptomatic (or latent) phase, and the progressive phase.
Watch for FIV-cat symptoms such as sneezing, unusual urination, poor coat condition, lack of appetite, inflammation of the gums and mouth, and diarrhea, and promptly visit the vet if these issues arise, says Jefferson.
Gum disease, whether gingivitis (early gum disease) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is the most common cause of bad breath in cats. Gum disease develops over time as odor-producing bacteria from plaque and tartar buildup causes inflammation in the gum tissue.
This is evidence of the cat's immune response to the presence of plaque and is often painful. Much like morning breath in humans, the plaque and bacterial overgrowth is what causes the powerful, fishy smell coming from your cat's mouth.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
The most common problem associated with halitosis. It is generally caused by the accumulation of dental plaque (bacteria). Breeds with flat-faced features (brachycephalic), such as Persians and Burmese cats, are prone to periodontal disease.
Bad Breath
When kidneys start to fail, they become less capable of removing waste from the bloodstream. As this waste builds up, your cat's breath will smell worse. The bad breath associated with kidney disease may have an ammonia odor.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can cause a person's breath to smell like feces because the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This acidic wash irritates the esophagus, which can cause extreme discomfort as well as foul breath.
A healthy cat's breath should have minimal smell. The Ontario SCPA Humane Society indicates your cat's breath should smell fairly neutral, and any sort of bad smell is a sign of oral hygiene problems or other health issues. A fishy smell, which is common with cats, is almost always a sign of a problem.
Upper respiratory tract infections: Cats are prone to viruses which cause colds and snuffly noses. These are often accompanied by smelly breath with or without mouth ulcers. Vomiting and regurgitation: This can be quite normal in cats – so long as it is not too frequent – and can be associated with smelly breath.
Feline Stomatitis is a very painful condition. Frequently, the pain is so severe that your cat will not want to eat. Other common signs of stomatitis include: Bright red, inflamed gums and oral mucosa that extends throughout the inner lining of the mouth and cheeks.
When it's outside the norm, there can be various reasons for the stink such as periodontal disease, lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis, upper respiratory infections, oral cancers, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes or intestinal blockage.
Smelly cats might have simply expressed their anal glands. Just like with dogs, cats sometimes release the contents of their anal glands. This is normal and results in an overwhelming, foul fishy smell. Another cause of stinky rear-ends is diarrhea.
Diabetes mellitus may produce a sweet or “fruity” smell or, when a cat's condition has worsened, an odor similar to nail polish. Cats with severe liver disease or an intestinal blockage may have breath that smells like feces.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one possible cause of having an ammonia taste in your mouth, sometimes called “ammonia breath.” Some people describe ammonia breath as having a metallic taste, while others have reported that it smells similar to urine.
The terminal phase of FIV infection is commonly associated with moderate to severe periodontal disease, lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis (Figure 21-4 ), gingivitis, and feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions,52 which may result from opportunistic bacterial and viral infections.
Cats infected with FIV may live for months or years. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is. There is a FIV vaccination given twice initially, then yearly thereafter for outside cats or cats exposed to outside cats due to the potential of cat bites.
FIV is spread between cats through blood transfusions, deep bite wounds, and less commonly, through intercourse or an infected mother's milk to nursing kittens. Sharing a litter box, sleeping area, toys, water bowl or other items will NOT transmit FIV between cats.
During this stage, FIV cats are generally asymptomatic. Phase 3: In the final stage, the virus progresses to its fullest point. It is known as Feline Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (commonly referred to as FAIDS or feline AIDS). It is similar to how HIV progresses into AIDS in humans.