Stomatitis is the inflammation and irritation of soft tissues of mouth. Soft tissues include cheeks, gums, tongue and lips. Stomatitis can be caused by an infection in the mouth, chemicals, foreign material or by an inflammatory process associated with more widespread illness. The condition can become worse if bacteria or an infection enters the dog's blood stream.
Common associated symptoms of stomatitis include pain, bad breath, ulcerated tissues, refusal to eat, extensive teeth plaque, excessive drooling or saliva and fluid buildup in gums.
The primary types of inflammation are:
Ulcerative Stomatitis: This condition occurs when a significant amount of gum tissue is lost in a dog's mouth, and is frequently accompanied by inflammation of the oral tissues.
Oral Eosinophilic Granuloma: This condition occurs when there is a mass or growth in the dog's mouth.
Gingival Hyperplasia: This condition occurs when gum tissue increases in size.
Lypohocytic Plasmocytic: This condition is characterized by the presence of plasma cells and lymphocytes in the mouth — each are types of white blood cells.
