[SOLVED ] Q. When I woke up this morning my kittens face was swollen on the right side and her tounge is hanging out. She still gets up and moves but won...

‘t eat.

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. Sounds like she got bitten by a bug or spider, or is having an allergic reaction to something. If the swelling doesn’t resolve in 2 or 3 hours, take her in to a vet for an exam. There are anti-inflammatory drugs that can make the swelling go down and make her more comfortable.

If she starts showing signs of a generalized reaction – difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea – take her right in.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Salivary gland adenitis/sialocele: Inflammation or infection of the salivary glands can lead to swelling of one or both sides of the face, most commonly under the chin. This is often diagnosed based on examining your cat and feeling their salivary glands.

Swelling can have many causes including a cat bite abscess, dental disease, insect bite, allergy etc. A vet check would be needed to determine what is going on and prescribe the appropriate medicine. In the mean time, prevent any rubbing or scratching the area.

What causes oral swellings in cats? Oral swellings are never normal. There are many causes of oral swellings including local trauma, infection, fluid accumulation, and tumors. Above: Benign tumor surrounding upper cheek teeth.

Facial swelling can also be a result of wounds. If your pet was in an altercation, swelling of tissues under the skin (cellulitus) or even abscess formation (collection of infection/pus under the skin) can cause facial swelling.

Red & Inflamed Eyes

This common eye condition in cats can be caused by anything from an infection or allergy to feline herpes virus, and while conjunctivitis can be easy to clear up, without treatment it could lead to more serious complications.

Causes of Eye Inflammation in Cats

Non-infectious causes may include allergic reaction, irritation due to the presence of foreign bodies, and exposure to chemicals, toxins, and certain plants. Conjunctivitis may also develop as a symptom of another disease such as cancer or tumors of the eye and feline leukemia.

In cats an abscess is most often found on the head, especially the cheek or jaw. An abscess happens when infection gets under the skin and can`t drain away. Abscesses are almost always the result of a cat fight, but can also be caused by another animal, a grass seed or even a tooth root.

Overeating or drinking too much water are the two most common reasons behind feline bloating, although we will look at more, potentially, severe causes later on in this article. More often than not the digestive distress will ease up on its own.

Most cases of facial swelling in cats should be investigated by your vet. Even more so if your cat is not eating or having difficulty eating, if they are lethargic and not acting their normal self, or if the swelling is affecting their breathing – this would be considered an emergency.

Feline Stomatitis is a very painful condition. Frequently, the pain is so severe that your cat will not want to eat. Other common signs of stomatitis include: Bright red, inflamed gums and oral mucosa that extends throughout the inner lining of the mouth and cheeks.

It doesn`t matter whether the swelling is only occurring on one side of the face or affecting the entire face, you should bring your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible if you spot any signs. If you notice your cat`s face looks puffier than usual, he could be suffering from facial swelling.

When should I call my healthcare provider? If a cat scratch or bite becomes red or swollen and you develop flu-like symptoms, including headache, decreased appetite, fatigue, joint pain, or fever, contact your healthcare provider.

Kittens can be infected underneath their closed eyelids or after their eyelids are open, but in general, eye infections are noticed when a kitten is between 7–14 days old. Signs of eye infections in newborn kittens whose eyes are still closed or who are less than 14 days old include: Sneezing or nasal discharge.

In most cases, a kitten eye infection will heal relatively quickly. Whether your cat was prescribed antibiotics or eye drops, it should not take longer than two weeks for their eye infection to heal. However, if their eye infection does not get better within two weeks, bring them to the vet ASAP.

In some cases, eye inflammation may resolve on its own, but it can also be a sign of a more serious illness. Eye infections can quickly become an emergency so prompt care is important.

There are four common types of allergies in the cat: insect (fleas), food allergy, atopic dermatitis (house dust, pollen, and molds), and contact. They share common physical expressions and signs in cats, and each has unique features.

Squamous cell carcinomas are common tumors of the skin and mouth. Initially, these tumors can appear as small sores that do not heal. As they grow, they often become raised, irregular lumps that may or may not have open sores.

Some, however, warrant more immediate attention. Give us a call if your pet`s bump meets any of the following criteria: The area is painful to the touch or when your pet moves, especially any bumps located in the groin or armpit. The bump is noticeably growing or changing over the course of a month or less.

Facial swelling is a common symptom with a range of possible causes, including injuries, allergic reactions, and infections. Rarely, it can be a sign of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Discovering your cat`s swollen lip may feel alarming, but know that your vet can help you get to the bottom of it. While lip swelling isn`t usually an immediate emergency, you should call your vet as soon as possible so they can determine the underlying cause.

Signs of ear hematomas in cats

If your pet has an ear hematoma, the most common sign is likely to be a swelling on the ear. If it is large enough, the ear flap itself will be swollen and possibly cause the ear flap to droop under its weight.

Cold Therapy for Cats

Cold therapy should be used on new injuries within 24 to 48 hours. It is used for local swelling, pain and inflammation which is the body`s response to the tissue damage and the pain.

The most common causes of facial swelling arise from a dental or skin infection, or an allergic reaction which can also cause hives, wheezing, and vomiting. Other causes of face swelling include dehydration, hormonal imbalance, or physical trauma to the face.

When to call a doctor. If a cat bite breaks your skin, you should seek medical attention if: you start having any serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, pus or fluid oozing from the wound, or swollen lymph nodes. the wound won`t stop bleeding.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. When I woke up this morning my kittens face was swollen on the right side and her tounge is hanging out. She still gets up and moves but won’t eat.

ANSWER : A. Sounds like she got bitten by a bug or spider, or is having an allergic reaction to something. If the swelling doesn’t resolve in 2 or 3 hours, take her in to a vet for an exam. There are anti-inflammatory drugs that can make the swelling go down and make her more comfortable.

If she starts showing signs of a generalized reaction – difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea – take her right in.

Read Full Q/A … : My dog is acting strange, hides under the bed – Questions …

Q. My dog doesn’t eat, what should I do?

ANSWER : A. If this is a puppy, see a veterinarian immediately. Puppies should want to eat. Common causes for anorexia in puppies include viruses (parvo is a big one), parasitism, and foreign bodies. They need immediate care – go to an emergency vet if yours isn’t open. Puppies can get low blood sugar and dehydration very quickly.

If this is an adult dog and you observe other concerning signs, such as diarrhea or decreased energy, you should see a veterinarian.

If the dog seems otherwise bright and stable, try offering different types of food: wet food, canned tripe, or cooked chicken and rice. Some dogs will go for canned baby food: chicken, turkey, or beef as the main ingredient. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the ingredients!

Causes of anorexia in adult dogs can range from less serious to severe. Younger dogs are more likely to get into trouble- they tend to eat things they shouldn’t, and can get foreign bodies from eating things like socks, or stomach upset from getting in the trash. Any dog may stop eating due to stress, or just being a picky eater. Middle aged dogs can stop eating when they’re stressed and also have Addison’s disease, which can be fatal. Older dogs tend to stop eating when they develop cancer or renal disease.

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe to know when the right time is to take your dog to the vet. The moral of this story is, if it’s not getting better, your pup feels bad, or you’re worried – go see the vet!

Read Full Q/A … : My Dog Won’t Eat

Q. I have a 1yr old male 38 lb Labradoodle and my gf just brought a month old kitten home. Can they interact? If not, for how long?

ANSWER : A. Interactions whenever a new pet is brought into the house should start off slow, then can be increased in time. The best steps when introducing a new cat is to allow your cat or kitten to have a room in the house all to him or herself. Allow your dog to sniff under the door to get used to the kitten’s scent, and even show your dog articles such as bedding the cat has slept on. After a few days, an introduction with your dog on leash, or a barrier such as a gate where both pets can look at each other but not see each other is best. This will allow each to get used to seeing the other without the ability to jump, bite or scratch the other. Once the two are used to this, then a face to face interaction can begin. If at any time a fight or scuffle breaks out, separate the two pets and try again at a later time. The amount of time this introduction takes can vary depending on how the two react to each other.

Until your kitten is older, or you are sure both are fine together, do not leave the two pets together unattended. Even a well-meaning and playful dog can accidentally break a leg of a kitten or worse without meaning to! A safe room for your kitten to be in while you are away, or a barrier to allow your kitten to escape to safety if needed will help until both are big enough to play alone safely.

Read Full Q/A … : Dogs and Jealousy

Q. My dog hasnt eaten snce I left 4 days ago. I won’t be home for 6 more days. How can the caretaker get her to eat?

ANSWER : A. If your dog is feeling a bit sad while you are away and is refusing to eat, your pet sitter may try some things such as adding in boiled chicken or turkey to meals to encourage eating. A pet-safe gravy may also entice your dog to eat as well while you are gone. Your pet sitter may also want to offer smaller meals more often throughout the day to give your dog more chances to try and eat when she is feeling more comfortable and a little less sad. A game of fetch or playing together may also get your dog’s appetite going and help her to feel more comfortable eating around your pet sitter.

If your dog is showing any other signs of illness in addition to the refusal to eat (beyond normal missing an owner), then it is always a good idea to keep an eye out and contact a veterinarian as needed.

Read Full Q/A … : ufdc.ufl.edu

Q. Kitten showed up at my door. Was fine till two days ago, now cant poop and wont eat. Very listless and blotted

ANSWER : A. Thank you for taking care of this kitten! It sounds like the kitten may be quite sick. First, you can try to stimulate it to poop by rubbing its anus gently with a warm, damp washcloth. If this doesn’t work, you should go to the vet right away – don’t wait until Monday – because a kitten who’s not eating can become hypoglycemic and get dangerously sick fast. Even if it gets better today, you should make a vet appointment soon because it will need to be dewormed – it almost certainly has parasites – and to get vaccinated depending on how old it is.

Read Full Q/A … : Cat Questions – Our Happy Cat.com

Q. Why does my dog eat grass?

ANSWER : A. As another user mentioned, dogs can eat grass when they want to vomit. Sometimes, when a dog has an upset tummy, they will eat grass. If you notice your dog eating grass frantically, you can assume vomiting will shortly follow. Grass does not digest and pass normally. If your dog eats too much grass, it can cause serious issues with pooping. Your dogs poop can end up all tangled inside of her, and it can need veterinary assistance to remove it. The same goes for celery, so avoid feeding celery to your dog.

The other day my boyfriend accidentally left the laundry room door open where we were keeping the trash that was filled with cooked chicken bones. She ate one of the chicken bones lightning fast. We had to induce vomiting by feeding her some hydrogen peroxide. After we had fed her the peroxide, she immediately began frantically eating grass because her tummy was upset.

If there is something lacking in your dogs diet, it could be that your dog is eating grass to make up for it. I am sure that my dogs diet is extremely well balanced (I do not only feed her an air-dried raw food-type diet (Ziwipeak), but a wide variety of safe, healthy foods), so when she eats grass, I know that it is because she has an upset tummy.

That is why I think it is important making sure your dog has a very well balanced diet. If your dog is on a low quality kibble, your dog may be trying to let you know by eating grass (or eating poop).

Read Full Q/A … : Why Dogs Eat Grass: Causes and Prevention – WebMD

Q. If the kitten is eating,drinking and voiding ,and i’m wiping the face with a clean wet cloth do I still need to take her to the vet?

ANSWER : A. Regular vet checkups for kittens are still important even if they appear healthy or only minorly sick. Vet checkups can help you make sure your kitten is growing normally, and can get you all caught up on vaccinations and care. If kitten currently has an upper respiratory infection but is doing OK, then monitoring her is best. However if she does not improve or if her symptoms worsen then a a vet appointment sooner than her next scheduled checkup is best.

Read Full Q/A … : How to Make a Kitten Poop: 9 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow

Q. i believe my cat is pregnant but showing signs of being in heat

ANSWER : A. Cats are induced ovulators, meaning they will continue to go into heat until they are bred, or spayed (reproductive organs removed). If your cat is showing signs of being in heat (excessive yowling, presenting her rear to you for inspection, attempting to get out or other cats hanging near your house) and you don’t want kittens, it is best to have her spayed. Most cats are also semi-seasonal in their heat cycle meaning they will more likely be in heat through Spring-Summer than in Fall-Winter.

Pregnancy in cats lasts about 60 days. Signs of pregnancy may include weight gain, increased appetite, nipples that become pronounced or “leak” and seeking nesting areas to deliver kittens. If you saw that your cat was in heat, or had her mated, you can use the date she was bred to determine when she may be due for kittens. Your local vet can help determine if she is indeed pregnant and can also take an X-ray to determine the number of kittens present if your cat is nearing her due date. Be sure to feed mom a kitten formula in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and during nursing as it will help provide extra beneficial nutrients for both mom and babies.

If you do not want kittens, some very early term pregnancies can be aborted with spaying, otherwise spaying mom is usually done when kittens are weaned from their mom.

Read Full Q/A … : How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant: 12 Steps (with Pictures)