Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)

Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)

CCUS is a painful condition that dogs can exhibit. Patients with CCUS often have a profound amount of inflammation of the gum tissue (gingiva), the cheek (buccal mucosa), the soft tissue along the roof of the mouth (palatal mucosa), lip tissue (especially at the corners of the lips or the commissures), and along the tongue tissue (often times along the lateral border of the tongue). It’s also common to find significant ulcers on tissue that comes in contact with the teeth, these are oftentimes referred to as “kissing ulcers or lesions”.

This disease is when the dog’s immune system overreacts to bacteria (which is in the form of plaque) on the teeth. Oftentimes there are buccal ulcerations or “Kissing Ulcers”, where the mucosa along the lips or cheeks have ulcerations where this mucosa lies against the teeth. The plaque on the teeth is what is causing this irritation and ulceration. These ulcerations are very sensitive and painful to the pet.

Studies show that the Maltese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Greyhounds, and Labrador retrievers are more susceptible and have a higher reported prevalence of CCUS than the general canine population, however, this could be seen in any breed.