Weird...

[catnapper]

Just call me Miss Worry but look at Abby today:
Her top lip is really swollen. When I touch it, it seems hard. I compared Harry's and his isn't hard like hers, or puffy.


It typically looks smooth and blends in with the bottom lip like this:


When you see the normal vs. now its really obvious just how puffy her lip looks. I've looked inside and no scratches or welts. Of course she's not happy with me prying in her mouth The top left lip always has had a tinge of pink, but its REALLY pink today.

Here she is acting normal and looking her usual sweet self, but you can tell in the picture that her lip is pinker and larger than normal:


What could have caused this? An allergic reaction to something? A scratch I can't see? Something completely different and internal? Yes, I know I am a worry wart, and Miss Abby seems to get herself into some delicate situations lately.

[Nomilynn]

This has happened with Tilly several times. It's acne!!

Try putting a hot compress on it, and then wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide afterwards on a cotton ball. It should make a difference quite quickly. If it looks the same or worse tomorrow, maybe a consult will be in order

Edit to add - can be done a couple times a day

[catlover4ever]

I've never personally seen something like her lip but I can see where it is swollen. Maybe she is getting a cold sore like a human would get? I really don't know. I hope it is nothing serious...keep us posted as to what this could possibly be. {{{hugs}}} Meg

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Maybe one of her whiskers got pulled out and swole up?? Just a thought, because I have also never seen that before.
Get better soon sweet ABBY! *hugs*

[rg_girlca]

It is quite obvious that something is happening with her lip. Poor baby girl. Do you think it could be an abcess Kim?
I would try putting a warm cloth on it, if she would let you.

Please keep us posted.

[luvofallhorses]

I have no idea what it is..if I were you, I would just go to the vet and have it checked out.Let us know what happens(((hugs to you and your kitty)))

[Denyce]

It is worth getting checked but it looks to me to be what is called a Rodent Ulcer or Eosinophilic Granuloma (sp). It isn't serious or life threatening and can be treated with steroids and antibiotics or can even be left alone and most cases with resolve on their own. Sometimes they will ulcerate in which case you want to be sure they are treated. They have found that with these Ulcers they not only get them on their lip but in the esophagus and digestive tract. Does she vomit for no reason or have loose bowels? If so it is a part of this syndrome. Usually the swelling is red and hard and looks really sore but the cats don't seem to be overly bothered by them.

Good luck. Both my Brianna and now Deirdre get them. Brianna has had them all her life and she is now going on 10. Deirdre just started getting the swellings on her lip a few months ago but has had some of the other symptoms for a couple of years. Deirdre also has trouble every winter. I think she has a seasonal disorder...*L*

Denyce

[Kirsten]

The pictures won't load for me, but I sure hope it's nothing serious!

Get well soon, Abby!

Kirsten

[Glacier]

What kind of bowl does she eat and drink out of? We had a cat in our shelter recently that had a similar problem. Turns out she was allergic to plastic and reacted to stainless steel bowls. We got her a set of glass dishes and the problem cleared up right away!

[catnapper]

Originally posted by Glacier
What kind of bowl does she eat and drink out of? We had a cat in our shelter recently that had a similar problem. Turns out she was allergic to plastic and reacted to stainless steel bowls. We got her a set of glass dishes and the problem cleared up right away!

Oh! She drinks out of stainless steel and eats out of glass and/or a plastic bowl (depends on which one she runs to at feeding time) I will get a glass and ceramic bowl ASAP!

I do notice that she also has some very slight feline acne, which started at the same time she had the E collar on after the spay. Perhaps ths is a reaction to the cone, and it took a week to fully develop? She's not at all disturbed by it, only annoyed when I try to look at at!

Denyce, that granuloma sounds awful! In their esophogus? What causes it? She has not vomited or had loose poop lately.

[catnapper]

Ok, just me being me... here she is and you can REALLY tell the swelling is big. I put a warm compress on it (which she didn't mind at all! ) and then wiped it with peroxide (which she did mind)


Grant thinks it from Pouncer. He says he swatted her real hard in the face last night. Could he have hit her hard enough to cause swelling without leaving a scratch or mark?

Its not bothering her in the least. She's eating and drinking normally. She's playing and acting completely normal.

[kimlovescats]

Just now seeing this. Hmmm.... could it be a bug sting? Do you have any bugs indoors that she might have messed with a little too closely? I would think if it were an abscess from a scratch from Pouncer that you would see a scratch or small puncture wound. How do her gums look underneath that area, it's unusual, but not unheard of for kitties this young to have an abscessed tooth!

[catnapper]

Hmmm... just checked out her gums and they looks fine. No swelling or discoloration. All the swelling is on her lip. And if I didn't know better, the swelling is worse.

Its possible it was a spider bite or something. She's a big bug hunter, more so than Harry. We have a few "stinkbugs" and of course spiders. I didn't think stinkbugs bit, and I do know the cats chase them but won't do anything but bat at them - they must taste awful.

If its a bugbite, would it hurt to apply some topical Benadryl? I have some for Nicki since she's allergic to bug bites. I don't know if Benadryl is harmful to cats. And if its not a bug bite, could the Benadryl cause any harm? Sometimes you can apply a cream and it not work, but it won't hurt either... is Benadryl one of those things?

[kimlovescats]

Benadryl is fine for kitties ... and the best thing for allergic reactions. Well, let me double check ... I know it is "ok" for dogs, let me check again for cats.... BRB!

OK, here is one statement

What can I do if an insect bites my dog or cat?

If there is swelling around the face or eyes, a common symptom of an insect bite, you can give Benadryl at the dose of 1 mg/pound. That means 1 Benadryl pill for every 25 pounds of body weight. If you have a cat, it is best to purchase tablets and give one-half tablet. If symptoms persist, you should consult a veterinarian.

[catnapper]

Kim, you are the bestest!

She is sooo very tiny, so I might just give her a 1/3 or even 1/4. I only have the capsules, so tomorrow I'll break one open and mix it up into some babyfood. I'll wait til morning so I can be awake and monitor her reaction to it.

Right now she's sitting on my lap and purring up a storm while getting loving! God I love this little girl! She is going to be the death of me though. So far in her 6 months of life, she came to me with a bad case of worms and campylobacter, then she had a muscle pull where she didn't walk for two days. She had an allergic reaction to the inner stitches of her spay where she swelled badly. And now this! I only hope its from a bug bite! From what you quoted, it sounds exactly what I see on her! WHEW!

LOL though... if it is an allergic reaction to a bug bite, BOTH my girls (Nicki and Abby) are big old drama queens allergic to everything!