The therapeutic effect of ozone-enriched propolis oil extraction in cats with gingivitis

In cats, gingivitis treatment typically involves professional dental cleaning under anesthesia, pain management, and antibiotic administration to reduce inflammation. Considering the disadvantages of antibiotic administration, the necessity for alternative acute treatment protocols arises. It is believed that enhancing the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and local anesthetic effects of propolis with ozone could shorten the treatment duration, help reduce the risks associated with gingivitis, and also support the overall health of the cat. The study included 20 domestic cats diagnosed with the causative agent of gingivitis presented to private clinics. The cats included in the study were grouped based on bacterial agents (n=10; Female=4, Male=6) and viral agents (n=10; Female=5, Male=5). Propolis extracted with ozone-enriched oil was administered in spray form for 14 days (d). Before the application and on the 7(th) and 14(th) d of the treatment, the gingival indices of the cats were recorded, scored, saliva samples were collected, and photographs were taken. The levels of VEGF and TNF-alpha in saliva were determined using a cat- specific ELISA kit. When the data were evaluated, the application of ozone-enriched propolis demonstrated a statistically significant reducing effect on the levels of TNF-alpha in saliva in both groups (P<0.01). Salivary VEGF levels showed a significant increase during application, especially in gingivitis caused by bacterial agents (P<0.05). In the viral group, application was found to be more effective in increasing VEGF levels during the first 7 d. In gingivitis caused by bacterial agents, the gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) decreased compared to pre-treatment values (P<0.05). In gingivitis associated with viral agents, the decrease in the GI was statistically significant, while the decrease in the PI was found to be non-significant. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the application of ozone-enriched propolis might be an alternative treatment option for cats with gingivitis.