One of my cats has just been diagnosed with gingervitis. Her mother died from the same problem. Is gingervitis hereditary, is it always terminal & if not how is it treated?
Would greatly appreciate any assistance to save her life.

Lyn, if the cats was diagnosed by a vet, what did he/she say? I believe gingivitis is treated in animals as it is in people. You need to start your cat on a treatment program. Your vet is the one that can help you with that.

These links can get you started in understanding and treating the disease:

Feline Stomatitis & Chronic Gingivitis in Cats

FAQ: Feline Gingivitis-Stomatitis - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!

Have consulted vet to get original diagnosis. Same vet that was treating the mother cat.
Have just spent considerable money to get blood profile to eliminate cat aids, leukaemia, thyroid etc etc as the reason. Had already looked up the two web sites you recommended. The most successful treatment so far is to remove all teeth. Cat is 17 years old & I'm reluctant to put her through too much pain. Was really searching for someone who had gone through same experience for advice.

Yikes sweety 17 is an amazing age my vet wouldn't even put my boy under for a tooth clean at that age its to risky.
Sam was 15 maybe older we adopted him and never got a proper age as no one knew, he was diagnosed with gingivitis when we adopted him and we managed to keep him fit and healthy for 6 years until new years eve just gone we had to have the poor old man put to sleep.
It's a hard call to be honest we chose not to treat due to the pure fact a teeth clean costs 600 pounds plus here we just made him comfortable. We ended up buying biscuits to help keep the plaque down and it worked well enough he had no trouble eating but I think come the end old age just got the better of him.

Thank u so much for your response. I have been forming the impression that the situation is hopeless but did not want to be one of those owners who subject their animals to all sorts of pain & treatments when in fact it might be kinder to let her go peacefully.