Ulcer on cat's mouth

[stracci2000]

My cat Miso has developed an ulcer on his mouth. I did some research and it looks like a 'rodent ulcer'.
I read that these ulcers are a result of some type of allergy.
He is an indoor cat. He's been eating the same cat food and treats for several years. He eats from ceramic and stainless steel bowls.
I don't know what he could be allergic to.
Has anyone ever had experience with this? I'm going to call the vet on Monday.

This is the ulcer, in the corner of his mouth on both top and bottom. I know it looks weird in the photos, but his lips are normally whitish, and his gums are gray like his coat.

 

[elizat]

Looks like a rodent ulcer. It doesn't look too bad right now.

They can get them from fleas or even pollen or other allergies. Your vet may be able to help you narrow down what is possibly causing it.

Sometimes you can never figure out the cause.

If this is the first time he's had it and he's several years old, it may just be a one-time thing. There are some cats that are just genetically predisposed to them and they're simply no rhyme or reason why they get them.

Fairly easy to treat with a corticosteroid shot. They may want to give you an antibiotic as well, probably a first line antibiotic like clavamox.

It's really watching to make sure it heals properly and hopefully it won't come back.

Underlying autoimmune issues can also be a reason they get them, so a lot of times if it's a recurrent problem they will retest for FIV and FELV.

I had a cat that got these ulcers all the time and eventually the steroids stopped working. She had an underlying autoimmune disease that we really couldn't figure out.

 

[stracci2000]

Thanks @elizat , for the information!
I know you are a cat expert.
I've had cats my whole life, and this is the first rodent ulcer I've seen.
Miso is about 8 yrs. old, so I hope it is a one-time event.
He wasn't happy about me poking in his mouth!

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

I'm so sorry this is happening @stracci2000, I have no experience with this issue. @elizat seems to know what's happening perfectly. I have a couple of vets I can reach out to for you, if you need an additional opinion.

 

[elizat]

I can imagine he wasn't too happy!

Hopefully it will be a one-time thing and after you go to the vet it will clear with meds.

Stella had an underlying autoimmune issue and hers were very bad. I won't go into it, because I don't think that's the kind of thing you probably are going to be dealing with, but sometimes they just pop up and resolve with a round of treatment!

I joke that if there was a picture directory with titles, that I would probably be listed as the scabies, blood born parasite and ringworm kitten lady.

 

[stracci2000]

I'm so sorry this is happening @stracci2000, I have no experience with this issue. @elizat seems to know what's happening perfectly. I have a couple of vets I can reach out to for you, if you need an additional opinion.

Thanks, Sandy!
We have a local vet who specializes in cats, so I will call on Monday and get him an appointment before it gets worse.
He's a challenging kitty, so I hope we can get in and out of there without too much bloodshed!

 

[partgypsy]

I'm sorry your kitty is having that. My deceased kitty had similar issues including inside mouth ulcers, but she had them since she was a kitten and it was due to a virus. No cure but flare ups were treated with steriods. It also might be inflammation/immune reaction to bacteria/plaque on teeth..good luck in sorting it out.

 

[stracci2000]

I'm sorry your kitty is having that. My deceased kitty had similar issues including inside mouth ulcers, but she had them since she was a kitten and it was due to a virus. No cure but flare ups were treated with steriods. It also might be inflammation/immune reaction to bacteria/plaque on teeth..good luck in sorting it out.

This is the first time I've seen it in any of my cats. I look him over all the time, and I noticed this about 2 days ago. At first, I thought he might have injured himself, but it didn't seem to be healing. I'm sure he will be ok, after I give $$$ to the vet!

 

[Starfacet]

One of my cats gets those and has gotten sores on his skin in the past. Several vets couldn't tell me what it was until I found the vet I now use who told me that he has auto-immune issues. He gets a shot for it every three months.

 

[PintoBean]

One of my cats once got a swollen front lip from huffing on plastic bags. That was an easy fix because I've gotten more conscientious about putting them away.

Also, are you using the same detergent washing the bowls?

 

[stracci2000]

One of my cats once got a swollen front lip from huffing on plastic bags. That was an easy fix because I've gotten more conscientious about putting them away.

Also, are you using the same detergent washing the bowls?

I wash his bowls by hand, and I haven't changed detergent brands for a long time.
It's a real mystery.

 

[missy]

I'm sorry your kitty is dealing with a rodent ulcer @stracci2000. @elizat gave you helpful info and I hope your vet can also help you guys figure out how to give him relief and prevent more from happening. Here is some more info re rodent ulcers aka eosinophilic granulomas in case you are interested. I tend to geek out and research things as much as possible when we are dealing with health issues.

Warning: there are some photos in the links you may find upsetting. Just wanted you to be aware.

Feline indolent ulcers and their significance - PMC

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

Suggested Articles Feline Skin Diseases The Challenge of Skin Disorders Flea Allergy Food Allergies

www.vet.cornell.edu

"These underlying possibilities most commonly include allergic disease, including flea bite hypersensitivity, feline atopy (non-flea, nonfood allergic dermatitis), insect bite hypersensitivity, and food allergy. When allergic disease is suspected as the underlying cause, secondary bacterial infection of the lesion should also be considered. Bacterial involvement is more often a factor than previously thought."

The first link has excellent diagnostic and treatment options. Good luck and hope the vet is able to help you figure out the cause and easily treat the ulcer.

 

[stracci2000]

I'm sorry your kitty is dealing with a rodent ulcer @stracci2000. @elizat gave you helpful info and I hope your vet can also help you guys figure out how to give him relief and prevent more from happening. Here is some more info re rodent ulcers aka eosinophilic granulomas in case you are interested. I tend to geek out and research things as much as possible when we are dealing with health issues.

Warning: there are some photos in the links you may find upsetting. Just wanted you to be aware.

Feline indolent ulcers and their significance - PMC

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

Suggested Articles Feline Skin Diseases The Challenge of Skin Disorders Flea Allergy Food Allergies

www.vet.cornell.edu

"These underlying possibilities most commonly include allergic disease, including flea bite hypersensitivity, feline atopy (non-flea, nonfood allergic dermatitis), insect bite hypersensitivity, and food allergy. When allergic disease is suspected as the underlying cause, secondary bacterial infection of the lesion should also be considered. Bacterial involvement is more often a factor than previously thought."

The first link has excellent diagnostic and treatment options. Good luck and hope the vet is able to help you figure out the cause and easily treat the ulcer.

Thanks for the info, @missy !
The photos of this condition in advanced stages are hard to look at. Poor kitties!
Miso's mouth doesn't look bad at all, compared to what I've seen online.
I will not allow it to progress, that's for sure.
We will contact the vet on Monday, and get him treated ASAP!

 

[stracci2000]

One of my cats gets those and has gotten sores on his skin in the past. Several vets couldn't tell me what it was until I found the vet I now use who told me that he has auto-immune issues. He gets a shot for it every three months.

I'm glad to hear the treatment is working!

 

[ecf8503]

I'm sorry your kitty is dealing with a rodent ulcer @stracci2000. @elizat gave you helpful info and I hope your vet can also help you guys figure out how to give him relief and prevent more from happening. Here is some more info re rodent ulcers aka eosinophilic granulomas in case you are interested. I tend to geek out and research things as much as possible when we are dealing with health issues.

Warning: there are some photos in the links you may find upsetting. Just wanted you to be aware.

Feline indolent ulcers and their significance - PMC

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

Suggested Articles Feline Skin Diseases The Challenge of Skin Disorders Flea Allergy Food Allergies

www.vet.cornell.edu

"These underlying possibilities most commonly include allergic disease, including flea bite hypersensitivity, feline atopy (non-flea, nonfood allergic dermatitis), insect bite hypersensitivity, and food allergy. When allergic disease is suspected as the underlying cause, secondary bacterial infection of the lesion should also be considered. Bacterial involvement is more often a factor than previously thought."

The first link has excellent diagnostic and treatment options. Good luck and hope the vet is able to help you figure out the cause and easily treat the ulcer.

Good information, Missy!

 

[stracci2000]

I finally have an update.
The vet agrees that this is a rodent ulcer, and a mild case. I'm happy it isn't anything more serious!
She gave me an oral steroid in liquid form (Prednisolone) to administer over a period of three weeks.
We all feel better, knowing it is treatable, and that he will be fine.