I noticed yesterday that the cat I adopted two and a half months ago had a swollen upper lip – well, it's a bit weird, you can see it in the photo.
The little guy is a total ball of nerves, and not a week goes by without a trip to the vet since we got him.
So I'm thinking maybe I freak out too easily and I need to learn how to look after him on my own.
But then again, this weekend I noticed something new on his mouth. He doesn't let me handle him very easily, so I couldn't get a better photo than that.
I've disinfected it just in case and I suppose I'll have to take him to the vet tomorrow, but I wanted to know if there's anything I can do in the meantime? He isn't complaining, he's eating, playing and jumping all over the place as usual, but it really doesn't look great.
Thanks for your help
Translated from French
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Basically, it’s something of unknown origin, but it’s mostly triggered by allergies. It causes these huge, itchy patches on the cat's back legs, or sometimes these types of ulcers in the mouth, like you can see in the photo of my cat.
There’s no cure, just preventative treatments to stop major flare-ups from happening.
It’s not fatal, but it can be serious if it isn't treated properly during a flare-up.
The rescue had the cat for a month and a half before we picked him up, and we’ve already taken him to the vet six times in two months. The vet has confirmed that the condition predated the adoption, so there are two possibilities:
Either they didn't even bother seeing a vet when both his back legs were hairless and infected,
Or they lied to us and covered up the cause of the illness.
Because when we got him, they told us it was just because he was stressed and losing his fur...
Eosinophilic granuloma complex? Could you explain what that actually involves for a complete novice like me? Either way, it might have been something the rescue simply couldn't have spotted.
So, after the check-up, it turns out the little puss has Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex. The rescue we got him from actually hid it from us when we adopted him, which is really poor form on their part, but we love him just as he is. He’s going to need ongoing treatment to prevent any flare-ups, as it doesn't just break out on his mouth but on his back legs too.
Hi everyone, the swelling has got worse. We’ve got an appointment with the vet tomorrow because, after managed to have a look as best I could, I found a small sore on the right side of his upper lip that looks infected. The problem is I don’t have any generic anti-inflammatories or antibiotics at home, so it’s just getting bigger and there’s nothing I can do to treat it or give him any relief. He’s not showing any signs of pain for now, but he’s hardly drinking and is doing nothing but sleeping, so I suppose he’s just trying to keep his strength up...
It’s absolutely heartbreaking... but thanks for your replies.
Hi,
Has he had the chance to rub his mouth against anything while he’s been out? It looks like it could be irritation from rubbing his face, either against a texture he really likes or from trying to dig something out in the garden.
Does he eat out of plastic bowls? Some cats pick up bacteria from rubbing their mouths against the bowl when they're eating greedily; the thing is, plastic—even if it's washed regularly—is the cause of quite a few allergies around a cat's mouth and chin. It’s much better to use ceramic or stainless steel bowls instead.
I’m not a vet, but it doesn’t look like an emergency to me, especially since he doesn’t seem to be in any pain. Just keep an eye on it to see if the swelling goes down over the next few days. At the first sign of any pain or discomfort, though, take him straight to the vet.
Yeah, it’s definitely a possibility he’s been stung, but the thing is he’s not scratching or rubbing at it. He’s eating and drinking as usual and he’s still carrying his toys around in his mouth...
Same goes for the broken tooth – wouldn't that be really painful for him?
If it is a sting, will it just clear up on its own?
Hi there, could he have been stung by a bee or a wasp while chasing them? Otherwise, have a look at his teeth; if he’s got a broken or infected one, it can cause inflammation and swelling. Either way, your vet will definitely get to the bottom of it. Keep us posted and good luck!
