Hennet PR, Camy GAL, McGahie DM et al: Comparative efficacy of a recombinant feline interferon omega in refractory cases of calicivirus-positive cats with caudal stomatitis: a randomised, multi-centre, controlled, double-blind study in 39 cats, J Feline Med Surg 13:577, 2011.
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a significant disease of cats causing ulcerative, painful lesions in the mouth. The cause of this condition is not always clear, but feline calicivirus has been speculated to play a part in some cases. Medical treatment of this condition has been, for the most part, unrewarding. Interferon is a protein produced by animals to fight virus infections. These investigators examined the potential of this substance, which can be produced artificially and given orally, to treat FCGS. Only cats with known active FCV were included in the study. Comparison to cats treated with anti-inflammatory drugs was done. Clinical signs, including pain, were assessed for 90 days. The investigators found that treatment with topically applied (oral) interferon daily led to improvement in both the clinical appearance of the lesions as well as pain scores, comparable to anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. Interferon may be an appropriate treatment for FCGS related to feline calicivirus infection. While virus replication/levels were not evaluated, interferon may have therapeutic value in FCV infections. [MK]
Related articles:
Lewis JR, Tsugawa AJ, Reiter AM: Use of CO2 laser as an adjunctive treatment for caudal stomatitis in a cat, J Vet Dent 24:240, 2007.
More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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