Eosinophilic stomatitis and eosoniphilic granuloma are common names associated with raised ulcerative oral lesions in dogs mainly associated with the palate and occassionally the tongue. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is particularly susceptable. Antigenic stimulation is thought to be the cause however often specific etiology cannot be determined. This Cavalier had both eosinophilic stomatitis and CUPS. The CUPS appeared to be the painful component in this patient and is a consistent component of most if not all cases of CUPS. Eliminating the plaque with strict home care including brushing daily, and water additives to reduce plaque (Healthy Mouth) along with frequent prophy’s in the hospital (generally every 3 months) is the only safe treatment for CUPS. Immunosuppressive therapy is an alternative but potentially dangerous approach to therapy. Extracting the teeth adjacent to the lesions is the only definitive curative therapy.
Biopsy is indicated to confirm eosinophilic stomatitis. Treatment involves corticosteroids or cyclosporin and some have advocated hypoallergenic foods. Some patients do not respond to any of the above recommendations. A determination must be made to assess patient pain. Some of these patients appear not to be painful, however careful evaluation is needed to determine oral pain for this condition in dogs. Palpation under light sedation may reveal jaw chattering.
Eosinophilic Granuloma, Stomatitis in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog
CUPS in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog
CUPS in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog
I own a 5.5 yr old boxer who devlpd gingivitis hyperplasia (GH) appx 3 yrs ago.(I believe it was caused by drinking toilet water.Gingivectomy (GV) done at local vet & much imprvd.Once (GV) has been done, does it return with vengeance?(It has, & we can no longer see his bottom front teeth.)Is this disease spreadable to our 2 cats, other dogs, or humans?Can gingivitis be cured, as in humans?Or, will GV need to be done every 3 yrs until he passes?He NOW drinks from glass food/water dishes/ cleaned daily.
Hi Sherry.
The gingival hyperplasia will recur and will need to be approached every 2-3 years generally. The key as you have seen with the post you commented on is dental xrays prior to the procedure to see what is going on under the gum. It does no good to excise the tissue adjacent to a tooth that has significant bone destruction from periodontal disease.
Sincerely,
Dr. Beckman
Nice posting, thanks for sharing with us. It is more useful for me. Awesome post.
Hi Dr Beckman,
I have a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has an ulcer in the back of his throat which looks very much like the first picture above of the eosinophilic granuloma stomatitis. He also has frequent lower jaw chattering which seems to occur mostly within the first 10 minutes after he wakes up. Our vet (I’m in Sydney, Australia) gave him a cortisone injection in early december last year and the chattering stopped completely, while the ulcer reduced in size (but did not completely disappear). The chattering has now started again (only two and a half months later). The vet has told me he has this autoimmune disease and has suggested further cortisone (every time it wears off) as well as a pill he likened to chemotherapy. I am not particularly comfortable with the long term use of all these drugs. Is cortisone long term every couple of months going to affect him? Additionally your post seems to suggest dental hygene is a big part of the solution – would it be sufficient treatment without the drugs? Or do they need to be used in conjunction? My vet has been low on the details so I would very much appreciate your advice. Many thanks in advance.
Hi Jacqui,
Sorry to hear about you Cavalier. Steroids are a consistently predictable treatment. Ask you vet about prednisone orally and decrease to the lowest effective dose, preferably every other day. This is a frustrating condition but may be associated with stomatitis requiring tooth extraction. An oral exam under sedation, good lighting and magnification along with dental x-rays are needed to evaluate for this and underlying periodontal disease. Reducing the antigen load in the mouth with a hypoallergenic diet may or may not be of benefit.
Brett
Hi, my male cavalier King charles spaniel was diagnosed over 19 months ago with Eosinophilic pharyngitis/ gingivtis, and has basically been on cortisone since. He was always sick as a puppy and I had noticed a sore at the back of his mouth To help with his weight gain the vet has placed charlie on Neoral. As we have discovered over the last year charlie smudge has had issues with his glands and his tonsils, but nothing really with his teeth. What is chattering?? I am not sure if my boy does it or not. When charlie was diagnosed, done with a biopsy,I seached on the internet for any info on this disorder, but it was all about cats. Charlie has Neoral every 2nd day and this seems to keep the disorder at bay most days.
Hi Robyn,
Chattering suggests pain. If there is a plaque insensitive inflammation associated with this that may be the issue however if no dental radiographs have been taken this is paramount. A veterinary referral is in order.
Brett