Help!!!!! I need some advice.

My 6 month old Abyssinian went to be spayed and they discovered that she had Gingivitis. They suspected Calicivirus. We had a swab done and the vet says it has come back negative, she says this isn't unusual as she may not have been shedding and may still have it. The nurse said that it was 'pretty awful' so I am now really worried that we don't know what it is that has caused her gingivitis!

She was bought from a reputable breeder, is this something the breeder would have known when she sold her to us. She does have a slight teary eye and when we bought her she had black stuff on her nose and still does sometimes.

She has had all her shots, eats only the best wet food and has not been out.

I know that Abyssinians can suffer with this but I am concerned that she is only 6 months old.

Any help, advice or information gratefully received!!

Thank you

When I got my now 9yr old from the CPL aged 2, he had gingivitus and had to have his teeth cleaned before we could take him home.
It's not bothered him since, and he hasn't needed any more treatment for it.
I do mainly feed him dry food as this was recommended, but since having joined this forum I've read this isn't necessarily required.
I hope it's not a big issue for your cat. I have no idea what causes it.

My cat has always had gunky eyes, little black crusty bits in the inside corners. The vet has never thought it was anything to worry about and it doesn't bother him. Don't know whether that might be related?

It does seem that pale and reds are more prone to it. Our Honey has had a dose of Gin in the past and always gets lots of tartar on her teeth. We are using Logic gel, which is an enzyme type toothpaste that you don't have to brush with! Just get them to lick it from your finger or wipe on a front paw. Seems to work with our two very well (also gets rid of bad breath)

Available from Amazon:

Logic Oral Hygiene Gel for Dogs and Cats: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

Ian F.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

I don't have any direct experience of Calci Virus but there are a few on here that do so hopefully they will be better placed to advise on this.

There are a few potential causes for Gingivitis other than Calci Virus though with genetics being the primary one albeit 6 months is pretty young to be suffering. Does she still have her baby teeth? If they are plaque stained it's possible it may clear up or improve greatly when she loses them.

It would definitely be prudent to get her into the habit of having her teeth brushed as often as possible (preferably once a day) with an enzymetic toothpaste, personally i've found CET to be better accepted than Logic.

thank you for all your information ... slowly starting to find my way through this problem will think about tooth brushing. I like the idea of non brush toothpaste she's a bit of a one when it comes to things like that!!

Unfortunately she has her second teeth. I think the Gin started as her baby teeth fell out!

x

Don't worry!
My Benji, who is a pedigree MC, has Calici also. Looking at statistics, it's very difficult to avoid and seems very common in pedigrees. The way I have understood it is that most cats probably have it, but don't shed, and only a few continue to shed throughout their life so many breeders might not even know their queen has it. The stomatitis (the bad version of gingivitis, which is what it would be if she has calici) can make their gums pretty sore, but there are treatment options out there.
As she has tested negative and is only 6 months, I would probably wait until all her adult teeth have come through and settled properly before doing anything drastic in relation to calici. She may very well not have it, and does only have a touch of gingivitis which is exasperated by her teething. In most cases, a good dental clean at the vets is sufficient and ongoing toothpaste treatment. Stomatitis on the other hand is quite foul, Benji's gums are VERY red and sore, and quite swollen. He is happy and still crunches dry food though out of choice, but if it continues for much longer I'll probably have his back teeth pulled for him.

He has tested positive though, which is why in your case I'd be inclined to wait rather than jump to conclusions!

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

My two have/had the Calci virus and have/had ulcerative gingivitus and had a lot of teeth removed at 18 month of age, they seem to ok now but I think they will lose more teeth as they get older possibly, but it is horrible and scary and I got very upset and quite panicky about it all but have now chilled out a bit They also never showed any signs of being in pain or discomfort and they only problem now is that Monty can't chew raw steak very well, but Maudey has learnt to swallow it whole, oh and they swallow small biscuits but struggle with the larger biscuits.

I forgot to add that Benjibear is a very happy, hyper, playful kitty who had put on loads of weight so it's really not something to worry about, it's only very very rarely fatal but not because of the virus itself, but because of secondary infections like respiratory infections, which you should pick up on fairly quickly anyway.

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Thank you so much for all your responses.

It is very scary and worrying!

But as you say she has tested negative for now and so we just have to try and manage it.

What are the signs of respiratory disease? She does have a weepy eye but no discharge from her nose or sneezing etc!

She does have a bit or a black smudge/ scab on her top lip I read this could be feline acne is it related the vert didn't seem to be too bothered about it!

Such a shame she has these issues but at least we are around to take care of her!

Thank you x

There are various signs of respiratory infection, like sneezing, coughing, difficulty.breathing etc, which is why you would pick up on it quickly

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011