My cat has a black mark in his mouth, is it serious?

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hello, my cat has been acting strangely since yesterday. Today he was chasing me for food but he can't seem to swallow anything, he's absolutely starving...

I've had a look in his mouth and he's dribbling a little, and as you can see in the photo, there's a large, suspicious-looking black mark that wasn't there before. When he breathes, he's making little noises he didn't make before, like an 'asthma attack'.

I'm quite worried and I'm hoping for a quick reply... thanks in advance.

My cat has a black mark in his mouth, is it serious?

Translated from French
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    • D
    Del2244 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, It would be more helpful to know exactly what is going on with *your* cat. This type of lesion, especially if it’s preventing your cat from eating, is very worrying. There is only one solution: you need to see a vet. Hope to hear back from you soon with an update 😺
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    S
    Soulisso Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, my cat has been having the exact same issue recently. Did you ever find out what was wrong with them in the end? Thanks.
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    T
    Toutitouti69 Icon representing the flag French
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    I rushed to an emergency vet for an X-ray and some meds to help my cat rest for a few days until her leg was less painful. Afterwards, she was walking just fine. A vet told me over the phone that I could have just booked a normal appointment with my regular vet. The bill from the hospital was nearly £1,000, compared to maybe £90 or £120. So don't just go listening to everyone; I've completely blown my rent and food budget, the prices are absolutely ridiculous... 😮
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    T
    Toutitouti69 Icon representing the flag French
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    I’m not sure the person will reply a year later, especially as that was their only post in all that time... And I don't even know if they ever saw a vet... Assume their cat passed away because it had a serious illness that prevented it from eating. If your cat has the same symptoms, stop what you’re doing, get off your computer, and pick up the phone to call a vet instead, please! I don't mean to be aggressive, but as was mentioned a year ago, you can't treat pets over the internet or give a diagnosis unless you're a vet. Even if I were a vet, my only advice would be to go and see a colleague so they can confirm the diagnosis and, most importantly, give you the proper treatment. The aim is to get your cat better, not just to know what’s wrong with it!
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    T
    Toutitouti69 Icon representing the flag French
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    I’m not sure if they’re going to reply a year later, especially as that was their only post in a whole year... And I don’t even know if they ever saw a vet... Just assume their cat died because it had a serious illness that stopped it from eating. If your cat has the same symptoms, drop your mouse, step away from the keyboard and pick up the phone to call a vet, please! Please don’t take this as me being aggressive, but as was mentioned a year ago, you can’t treat pets over the internet or give diagnoses unless you’re a vet. Even if I were a vet, my only advice would be to go and see another vet so they can confirm the diagnosis and, crucially, give you the right treatment. The goal is to get your cat healthy again, not just to find out what’s wrong with it!
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    L
    Leonbeloin Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks centpedigree!

    You’re absolutely right to stress the importance of getting a check-up as soon as possible. The cost is definitely a factor though, and sadly it often puts people off.

    As for the antibiotics, I’ve tried everything: wet food, milk, fish sauce, strong cheese... Nothing works, and to be honest, I don’t blame her. I tasted just a tiny bit of the powder left over after crushing the pill and it’s incredibly bitter. So yes, I’m planning on heading back to the vet soon. Her bowls are glass and stainless steel. I'll keep you posted...

    Have a good day!

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    As cats get older, they very often get these kinds of black spots on the membranes of their mouth and nose, and even around the edges of their eyes. It’s nothing to be alarmed about, but if you’re in any doubt, it’s best to check with your vet. It’s always better to go for no reason than to leave it until it’s too late.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    We’d all love to know what happened with fio83 too...

    But like I said, they haven't posted in a year...

    You can find out by clicking on their name to see their history on the site... you can see a really sweet photo of her and her cat, but then just total silence. It makes me feel quite down, thinking that her cat probably died from that nasty sh*t of a mark on the corner of its mouth...

    As for the second person whose cat had the same mouth symptoms, they’ve left the forum...

    Thanks for coming back to update us after the vet appointment; I really hope your cat doesn't have the same thing as fio's...

    Regarding the antibiotics, you could try crushing the tablet into some wet food. Or maybe in some cat milk or kitten milk, but it’s vital you get it into him. I know what a stubborn cat is like, though – it's never easy!

    About the cat flu, that black (sh*t) mark isn’t directly related, but you have to keep it in mind. The biggest problem with cat flu is obviously its potential to be fatal first of all, the fact it's contagious and incurable second, and finally for your cat, the risk of secondary infections!

    Basically, this bloody cat flu ties up the immune system even when the cat isn't having a flare-up, and if they're a bit weak, the cat doesn't stand a chance if a second illness hits...

    That also applies to the other symptoms besides that black mark, which in my opinion aren't related to either the cat flu or the mark itself...

    Feline acne can be caused by using plastic bowls, if it's on the chin(?)

    Anyway, I hope that gives you something to go on... don't expect to hear back from fio or the person who deleted their profile... it’s not that they’re selfish or anything, they’ve probably just had a very sad outcome, and in those cases, you really don't care about forums and old threads!

    I'm saying this because I realise I can be a bit blunt sometimes, telling people point-blank to see a vet rather than just typing away on here...

    Why did the second person leave so quickly? My fault?

    But you see so much animal and human distress, and you're just so helpless behind a screen... honestly, whether you're a vet or just a regular person, an expert or a total *****, "go see a vet" will always be the best health advice you can give on a forum.

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    L
    Leonbeloin Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, I’d also be really interested to hear how your vet visit went. My cat had very similar symptoms about a month ago. It was a nightmare! Hair loss, crusty eyes and nose, acne, asthma, and those notorious black spots in exactly the same place. Mind you, her appetite was fine. Get to the vet as soon as you can! Just for context, she’s a 12-year-old indoor cat that I adopted recently. For the last few months, she’s been discovering the joys of the great outdoors in the countryside (her first run-in with fleas!) as well as the existence of other cats.

    The vet suggested a few possibilities: cat flu, an overreaction to her first flea infestation, or a chronic food allergy. She gave her a cortisone injection and prescribed some antibiotics and Omega-3 supplements. I couldn’t get her to take the antibiotics so I gave up in the end. A month later, everything is fine—her fur is growing back and she’s full of life! The only things left are the acne and those black spots in her mouth... so I’d be very interested to hear how you get on. Thanks and have a lovely evening!

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I’m not sure if the person is going to reply a year later, especially as it was their only post... And I don’t even know if they ever saw a vet... You should assume their cat passed away because it had a serious illness that stopped it from eating. If your cat has the same symptoms, stop what you're doing and get on the phone to a vet right now, please! I’m not being aggressive, but as was said a year ago, you can’t treat pets over the internet or give a diagnosis unless you’re a vet. Even if I were a vet, my only advice would be to go and see a colleague so they can confirm the diagnosis and, most importantly, give you the right treatment. The whole point is to get your cat better, not just to find out what’s wrong with it!
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