Reflux (Feline Esophageal Disease)

[Rysiek]

I wonder if someone can help me...
He has been put on omeprasole as Feline Esophageal Disease has been suggested as a possible cause of his inflammation in his mouth...

I would like to change this to some supplements...unsure if there are any that address reflux in cats?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Did the vet run any tests to come up with the diagnosis? Does your cat have other symptoms besides inflammation in his mouth? Did the vet check his teeth and gums?

More information about what is going on will help immensely to enable members to suggest any kind of appropriate supplements.

 

[Rysiek]

He has had a long investigation re: mouth pain...he had CT scan to rule out a cancer under his tongue, FOPS was suggested, so he started gabapentin, but still had problems with eating, especially bigger chunks and hard dry food...we went for a dental appointment, all the x-rays were done, one tooth was chipped, so it was sealed, but he had unexplained mouth inflammation and ulceration...the swab was sent to check for feline virus infection (waiting for results), buprenorphine was added to gabapentin for pain management and Loxicom for inflammation...
It was suggested that inflammation in his mouth may be caused by Feline Esophageal Disease, but no tests at this stage...
Omeprasole was added to test it out, and it seems to be helping...
But I don't want him to be dependent on it...

 

[FeebysOwner]

Thanks for the extra information. It is good that he is being tested for viruses (I assume more than just one virus test is being done) whereby mouth ulcerations are common. The one supplement that has been talked about a fair amount on this site is DMG to help promote a stronger immune system, often an issue with most of these viruses. VETRISCIENCE Vetri-DMG Liquid Immune Supplement for Dogs, Cats & Birds, 28-mL - Chewy.com.

There are other causes of mouth ulceration, like stomatitis, but it usually is the result of a lot of dental issues, including tooth resorption. So, if they gave your cat's mouth a thorough check, perhaps that has been ruled out.

Does your cat have other symptoms that would suggest a esophageal disorder? That usually involves more than just mouth ulcers, such as vomiting, as a prime example.

Can you get your cat to eat pate wet cat foods? Maybe even add water to his dry food and smash it up to make it into a soft consistency without lumps.

I think you will need to wait for the test results, and maybe have other testing done to determine whether or not medications will need to be administered long term. Let's hope not!

 

[heatherwillard0614]

Is this the same cat in your polyps thread?

 

[Rysiek]

Is this the same cat in your polyps thread?

Yes, sorry, I should have added this in the polyp thread, but I thought it was a different issue

 

[Rysiek]

Thanks for the extra information. It is good that he is being tested for viruses (I assume more than just one virus test is being done) whereby mouth ulcerations are common. The one supplement that has been talked about a fair amount on this site is DMG to help promote a stronger immune system, often an issue with most of these viruses. VETRISCIENCE Vetri-DMG Liquid Immune Supplement for Dogs, Cats & Birds, 28-mL - Chewy.com.

There are other causes of mouth ulceration, like stomatitis, but it usually is the result of a lot of dental issues, including tooth resorption. So, if they gave your cat's mouth a thorough check, perhaps that has been ruled out.

Does your cat have other symptoms that would suggest a esophageal disorder? That usually involves more than just mouth ulcers, such as vomiting, as a prime example.

Can you get your cat to eat pate wet cat foods? Maybe even add water to his dry food and smash it up to make it into a soft consistency without lumps.

I think you will need to wait for the test results, and maybe have other testing done to determine whether or not medications will need to be administered long term. Let's hope not!

Just spoke to the vet, no viruses, everything came negative...
He does not have stomatitis neither teeth resorption...
He had gingivitis...

Her protocol now is to stop buprenorphine...then we will try to tapper gabapentin, then Loxicom and omeprasole as a last one...
She is a very experienced vet and I do trust her judgment, but still unsure if and what caused reflux?

 

[heatherwillard0614]

Yes, sorry, I should have added this in the polyp thread, but I thought it was a different issue

I wanted to make sure so I could post this here too incase you didn't look at the other thread that i posted this on. Here it is again just in case though.. to help get meds into him there are great tips and tricks that she uses. Hopefully this will help

What medicine are you having issues with him taking

 

[Rysiek]

I wanted to make sure so I could post this here too incase you didn't look at the other thread that i posted this on. Here it is again just in case though.. to help get meds into him there are great tips and tricks that she uses. Hopefully this will help

What medicine are you having issues with him taking

Thank you...

 

[heatherwillard0614]

Thank you...

No problem.
Can you get his meds compounded into pill form especially the gabapentin one

 

[Rysiek]

No problem.
Can you get his meds compounded into pill form especially the gabapentin one

It is more difficult to give him a pill unfortunately. His gabapentin is chicken flavoured

 

[heatherwillard0614]

It is more difficult to give him a pill unfortunately. His gabapentin is chicken flavoured

I haven't had the gaba in the chicken flavor I just know everyone always said their cats foamed at the mouth because of how nasty it is (regularly) so I just got my girl the pill form. For me she is easier to pill unless I do the parfait technique in the video then she will take liquid meds. But I haven't had something really nasty to give her yet lol idk if even the parfait would work for some of the nastier meds there has been one time with meds I had to actually pill her and liquid meds too and I found out with her it is easier to pill because she eats them up with a little chicken or egg those are her treats because she doesn't like cat treats.. lol she is such a finicky little lady

 

[FeebysOwner]

FWIW, here is an article on gingivitis in cats. Maybe it will give you some idea on what else to ask your vet.
Feline Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment 2023 - Cats.com

 

[Rysiek]

I haven't had the gaba in the chicken flavor I just know everyone always said their cats foamed at the mouth because of how nasty it is (regularly) so I just got my girl the pill form. For me she is easier to pill unless I do the parfait technique in the video then she will take liquid meds. But I haven't had something really nasty to give her yet lol idk if even the parfait would work for some of the nastier meds there has been one time with meds I had to actually pill her and liquid meds too and I found out with her it is easier to pill because she eats them up with a little chicken or egg those are her treats because she doesn't like cat treats.. lol she is such a finicky little lady

I tried to give it with his food, three days he ate it, and then avoided food all together if there was a medication in it!
He still has problems with chewing, so I cannot hide it in food...he also had a sixt sense in terms of knowing that there is medication Hiden in his soft food...

 

[Rysiek]

FWIW, here is an article on gingivitis in cats. Maybe it will give you some idea on what else to ask your vet.
Feline Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment 2023 - Cats.com

I was in a specialist dental clinic with him...they assessed everything...
She also said, as I noticed his problems with eating relate to his tongue, that he had problems that may relate to esophagitis and there may be some swelling there...
We are slowly doing elimination protocol , first eliminated cancer, now his teeth and mouth are under review...
We will also see how he will respond to gabapentin being tapered, if the shaking head returns it may mean it is neurological, fops...
If we eliminate teeth and mouth but he will still have inflammation we may need to get other assessments done...