Amanda, from Nature Angel UK, reached out to us when her family fur baby, Roxy, appeared to have an unusual sore below her mouth. Roxy, who is normally in good health, began to show the typical signs of a rodent ulcer (stomatitis). Poor little Roxy was brought to the vet to get checked out and that’s when Amanda found out exactly what a rodent ulcer in cats was.

Perhaps not the most heard of condition but, Eosinophilic Granuloma also known as a rodent ulcer can be a lot more common than we think. As pet parents, we all know it does not take much to become overwhelmed with worry when we notice a new scratch or wound, no matter how small, on our adored fur babies. Additionally, a new wound appearing on the face of our pets can be a cause for even more concern. It does not take a great deal for us pet parents to notice the smallest of changes in our pets, however, this can serve as an advantage. When we notice changes to our pets’ behavior or appearance, it is always good to consult your vet to determine whether or not it is something that needs their attention. It always helps to catch things early, even if it is not something serious.

What is a Rodent Ulcer?

A rodent ulcer is a lesion that can appear on the skin almost anywhere on the body but most commonly on the face. They have the appearance of pink/yellow-like ulcerations or they can be larger and tumor-like masses. They begin to emerge when certain immune system cells, release an inflammatory response as if the body is reacting to an allergy or a parasite infestation even though this may not always be the case.

Roxy began to develop a lesion just below her bottom lip. Amanda started to notice what she thought was Roxy’s tongue sticking out but upon further inspection realized that it was a lesion on her mouth. Seeing this, was enough to make Amanda uneasy and so they decided to bring Roxy to the vet.

Diagnosis

There are 3 different types of Eosinophilic Granuloma’s:

• The Indolent Ulcer
• The eosinophilic granuloma
• The eosinophilic Plaque

A biopsy (removing a small piece of the lesion to be sent for further testing) is usually not required unless there is anything to suggest precancerous conditions. In that type of circumstance, a biopsy will be done in order to rule out a malignant skin tumor.  A skin scrape may be used to establish the presence of Demodex mites.

To treat the Ulcer, it is best to determine the underlying causes. It can be rather tricky trying to find out if the ulcer is an allergy-related problem. It is difficult to determine due to the length of time it can take to recognize what is causing an allergic reaction. A lot of people prefer to go for a corticosteroid course of treatment. Corticosteroids are generally injected but can also be given orally. Depending on the cause, the steroids may or may not relieve the symptoms.

Treatment

Luckily for Roxy, her course of steroid and antibiotic treatment began immediately. It was suggested that she come back for a steroid injection every 3-5 weeks. Unfortunately for some, steroids may not always eradicate the lesions, some pets may be required to undergo a food allergy diet trial to figure out if it is a certain food causing the skin to react. Keep in mind that this can be a lot more difficult if you have an outdoor cat.

Other treatment options include:

• Intradermal skin testing
• A course of flea treatments
• A course of Antibiotics
• A course of cyclosporine (A drug that suppresses immune system function)

Roxy’s regimen of steroids and antibiotics proved to be effective. After just one-week Amanda messaged us with an update to say that the swelling on Roxy’s lower jaw had decreased and she was feeling a lot better.

Natural Supplements for Rodent Ulcers

Following Roxy’s diagnosis, Amanda got in touch with us hoping there was a supplement that would support Roxy’s symptoms.

We recommended 3 products that could work best for her condition:

1. BK Detox – This supplement is suited for pets suffering from autoimmune conditions as it helps to improve and protect the immune system. It is a great supplement for detoxifying vital organs.
2. Natures Immuno – Our herbal blend of mushrooms is brilliant for helping the immune system. We chose this supplement because of the rodent ulcer being an autoimmune response. The NHV Natures Immuno supplement will help to target this response while promoting general well-being too. It is a highly researched product that shows some great results!
3. ES Clear – This is our main supplement used in supporting and fighting cancer. Not only this but it also purifies the blood and helps with detoxing vital organs. Like the NHV Natures Immuno, the NHV ES Clear strengthens the immune system while improving life quality and increasing energy levels.

Amanda made sure that she stuck to the veterinarian’s advice and brought Roxy back for all her steroid shots. It was also important to continue with the Antibiotic treatment and finish the course accordingly for them to have an effect. Roxy’s family were very happy when the shots began to work along with the support of the supplements, and they had their healthy kitty back again. Thankfully Roxy is still doing great and we are so glad!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nature Angel (@natureangeluk)