CC - I don't know about Stomatosis so I decided to read up. The first site I looked at was peteduction.com - the first paragraph tells you that
"it is primarily thought that some cats may have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to bacterial plaque and are called 'plaque-intolerant." - so surely, as you said earlier having all the teeth out would make all the difference. I don't know if you remember all the problems Clapton had with his mouth and teeth over the years. It seemed like every 6 months or so, he was back having more out. Eventually he was down to 4 teeth and the vet was going to take 2 out. I told him there wasn't much point leaving a cat with 2 teeth in its mouth
- he said that that last 2 were healthy and would be a lot harder to remove than healthy ones. I said I accepted that but I would not be happy if in 6 months time, Clapton got a bad mouth again. He said he would try and he did take them all out. Since that day, Clapton has had sweet breath and no mouth problems at all. I am also convinced this is what caused his CRF.
I know it can also cause arthritis as well as all other kinds of illness. If your vet isn't happy taking teeth out, ask him for a referral to a cat dental specialist who will be better able to deal with it. It isn't as if he is a really old cat?
I know the article doesn't apply to all forms but unless they have ruled it out...
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1371&aid=368PS - I was just looking at all the signs on the article and they are all the things Clapton had. I am just annoyed that no vet ever mentioned Stomatosis - we would have done anything to make our boy better and I am angry that he suffered for about 3 years before all his teeth finally being removed ended the problem.
Has the vet suggested a Chlorhexidine mouthwash in the meantime? - this should also help a lot.