title: Prevalence of feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis in first opinion veterinary practice.
abstract: Feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS) is a syndrome characterised by persistent, often severe, inflammation of the oral mucosa. In the absence of similar studies, our objective was to estimate the prevalence of FCGS in a convenience based sample of cats visiting first opinion small animal veterinary practices. Twelve practices took part, providing a sample population of 4858 cats. Veterinary surgeons identified cases of FCGS according to our case definition over a 12-week sampling period; age, sex and breed information was determined for all cats, plus brief descriptive data for FCGS cases. The prevalence of FCGS was 0.7% (34 cases, 95% confidence intervals: 0.5-1.0%). Of the 34 cases of FCGS, 44% (15 cats) were new cases and 56% (19 cats) were ongoing cases. No statistically significant difference (P>0.353) was found when the age, sex and breed of cats with FCGS were compared to data from cats without the condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Veterinary Field Station, Chester High Road, Neston, S. Wirral CH64 7TE, United Kingdom. k.a.e.healey@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: Katharine A E
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burrow
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cripps
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gaskell
authors.forename: C Anthony
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Gina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Pinchbeck
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Rosalind M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gaskell
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D015995:Prevalence; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013577:Syndrome; D014730:Veterinary Medicine