The cat's body is well adapted to external conditions, is quite resistant to infections and is able to quickly cope with some painful conditions. But all this is provided that the animal eats well and has not suffered a serious illness that weakened the immune system.
Domestic cats are almost free from the risk of severe infectious disease if the owner is prudent: annually takes the pet to the veterinary clinic, where it is examined and vaccinated. The decisive factor for a long and happy cat's life is the ban on free walking.
Unfortunately, even a very responsible and attentive owner can overlook the initial stage of the disease: the coat, often thick and long, hides the first symptoms that appear on the skin. Many diseases (not only infectious ones) manifest themselves as slight redness and swelling on different parts of the body, including the mucous membranes - for example, on the lips.
Although these areas are not covered with hair, the hairs of the chin and chin cover them. The matter is complicated by the fact that cats are very patient. And when the owner notices ulcers on the cat’s lips, nervous behavior or loss of appetite, this indicates that the process has gone quite far.
Reddened swellings, sores and ulcers can indicate many diseases, so only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Very often, several tests must be done to determine the cause of the disease.
Most often, ulcers indicate the following diseases and painful conditions.
Injuries
Cats are very curious: even a pet that has no chance of getting outside can find adventure in its face while exploring the apartment. A small wound (for example, when trying to bite a cactus - this happens!) will most likely heal quickly. However, for some time a small sore or ulcer will be noticeable in its place.
An animal may become interested in the stove or heater that has just been turned off, and get burned: the burn also leaves a mark in the form of a sore.
We recommend the article: A cat was bitten by a tick: how to help your pet?
A cat has a sore on his lip (lower): Diagnosis of viral rhinotracheitis
If you notice the above symptoms in your pet, or at least some of them, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian.
In Moscow, you can contact the veterinary clinics of the network “Your Doctor” or “Bely Klyk”, as well as the Innovative Veterinary Center of the Moscow Veterinary Academy (IVC MBA).
In St. Petersburg, competent specialists will help you at the clinics “Dog and Cat”, “Lucky”, “Your Doctor”.
In Voronezh, we recommend visiting the blades “Eurovet” and “Cat Matroskin”.
The veterinarian will conduct an examination, thermometry, a general blood and urine test, and take swabs from the nasopharynx for analysis using PCR or ELISA to identify the causative agent of rhinotracheitis.
Viral infections
Infection with herpes - this virus also affects cats - is a likely cause if a cat has an ulcer on his lip. This is a sign of a very dangerous disease - rhinotracheitis. It should be noted that this is far from the only symptom, and a good owner will quickly come to his senses and take the cat to the veterinarian.
Diagnosis of the disease is almost always difficult. Tests often give conflicting results, and symptoms are similar to some other diseases. Only an experienced veterinarian can diagnose rhinotracheitis. Animals that do not receive qualified care often die. It is impossible to cure it - after therapy, the virus only ceases to manifest itself. Fortunately, an effective vaccine against rhinotracheitis has long been created.
Feline herpes is not dangerous to humans, but quickly infects other cats: if there are several of them in the house, the sick animal must be immediately isolated.
Rhinotracheitis: symptoms and treatment
This disease is quite dangerous and is compared to the herpes virus in humans. Based on its symptoms, it is often confused with a common cold. Redness on the lips is just one of the signals that the cat is sick. Rhinotracheitis is accompanied by:
- runny nose and profuse nasal discharge;
- lacrimation;
- cough;
- decreased appetite;
- increased body temperature;
- drowsiness.
If the cat is not treated, the FHV-1 virus (it is the cause of rhinotracheitis) gives complications in the form of pneumonia or chronic diseases of the digestive system. Externally, the advanced disease is manifested by the appearance of ulcers on the cornea of the eyes and tongue, the occurrence of convulsions of the limbs, and impaired coordination of movements. At the same time, death occurs in only 15% of animals with herpes.
With rhinotracheitis, a wound on the lip causes anxiety for the cat. It itches constantly, which is why the red spot quickly grows and the skin underneath bursts. In this case, there is a risk of secondary infection with a bacterial or fungal infection.
It will not be possible to completely get rid of the virus; the cat will forever remain its carrier. Treatment should begin as soon as a red spot appears on the cat's lip. For this, conventional “human” drugs are used, for example, Acyclovir at the rate of 3 mg/kg of cat weight. The ulcer is treated locally with Chlorhexedine or Iodinol; if the wound on the cat’s lip is oozing, then it must be lubricated with Solcoseriolm or Actovegin. The main treatment for rhinotracheitis is prescribed by the doctor based on tests and after assessing the general health of the cat.
Cat has ulcers on lips photo
How Covid-19 manifests itself in the mouth
COVID-19 leaves the body of an infected person in several ways: breathing, sneezing, talking, coughing, singing. All pathways involve the oral cavity. Therefore, when taking a coronavirus test, a swab is taken from the mouth and respiratory tract. Saliva is one of the main sources of transmission of the new coronavirus infection.
Remember, to protect yourself and your loved ones from coronavirus infection, you must wear medical masks and maintain social distance.
Coronavirus with complications in the oral cavity occurs in 45% of patients, complaints: dry mouth, rash on the mucous membrane, loss of taste, ulcers. However, complications of the virus may appear 12 days after the onset of the main symptoms and during the rehabilitation period. An oral infection from COVID-19 can also be asymptomatic, which complicates the treatment of the patient and the identification of the cause of complications in the oral cavity. Complications are associated with the poor state of the oral microflora, periodontal disease and other dental diseases, the treatment of which the patient postponed until later. From all this it follows that the connection between lack of oral care and the disease of the new coronavirus infection is close and it is always necessary to monitor your health.
Allergy
Another reason why a cat develops a lip ulcer is an allergic reaction. Most often, allergies appear as redness or swelling, but cases of cracking and ulceration of the mucous membranes are possible.
Provoking factors are often food, litter, and household chemicals. Pets often show interest in indoor plants and try to chew the leaves. Most are toxic to cats, and the milky sap can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, and subsequently the formation of sores or ulcers.
Diagnostics
The absence of anxiety in an animal when an ulcer appears on the upper lip is the main symptom of the disease. A biopsy will help confirm the assumption. The veterinarian takes a microscopic piece of skin from the affected and healthy areas. If the analysis shows eosinophilic proliferation, then this is a reason to diagnose Jacobs disease.
Attention! In a blood test, the number of eosinophils may be normal, therefore, in case of non-healing red spots on a cat’s lip, only a biopsy is considered reliable.
If the animal has a history of viral leukemia or the cat has recently been ill, then a veterinarian who discovers a spot on his patient’s lip should immediately check the diagnosis.
What to do to avoid oral complications
If you have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection and are experiencing complications in the oral cavity, contact your doctor to get permission to visit the dentist. When making an appointment with a dentist, be sure to tell them: you are or have been sick with Covid-19. The dentistry of the ElitDental M clinic will help alleviate the symptoms of the disease in the oral cavity and provide comprehensive treatment. We are located at:
- Rostov-on-Don, st. Zhdanova 3. Make an appointment by phone, +7(863) 544-63-54.
- Rostov-on-Don, Mironova street 6. Make an appointment by phone.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 9.00 to 20.00. Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00. Sunday is a day off.
If your cat is diagnosed with EEG
Skin lesions caused by eosinophilic granuloma complex may wax and wane. If the root cause is identified and brought under control, then the lesions may disappear and not recur.
For example, it turns out that your pet is allergic to flea bites, so he is intensively treated with flea sprays or drops, and the symptoms go away. And if a cat is allergic to food containing beef protein, all types of products containing this protein are excluded from the diet.
In case of confirmed food intolerance to any food components, the veterinarian may prescribe a medicinal line of food.
For some cats, the problem may be seasonal. Seasonality is usually associated with reactions to flea, mosquito, and other insect bites or reactions to environmental allergens (such as pollen). You may need to consult a veterinary dermatologist to determine the cause of EEG.
Herpes in dogs - causes and clinical picture
Herpes in dogs is dangerous because it leads to the death of offspring. Unlike cats, it may not manifest itself at all or be accompanied by mild disorders:
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract;
- conjunctivitis;
- vaginitis in bitches.
In puppies, these symptoms are more pronounced, including shortness of breath, weakness, severe abdominal pain and upset bowel movements. Young offspring die within the first 4 weeks. The incubation period is 7-14 days.
Another important symptom by which you can recognize a carrier of herpes is a decrease in sexual activity in a dog and a lack of interest in newborn puppies. If a bitch becomes infected during pregnancy, the disease can lead to miscarriage.
Ways of infection with the virus:
- contact – the virus enters the body upon contact with the mucous membranes of the carrier;
- during childbirth - when the puppies pass through the mother's birth canal.
The virus almost does not survive in the air; airborne transmission is excluded. At the first signs of infection, the dog should be immediately taken to the veterinarian to prescribe conservative therapy.
We will help you cure your pet. Call 33-94-45!
Treatment of herpes at the ZHIVAGO clinic
We will examine your cat or dog and quickly make a diagnosis - the clinic has modern equipment to conduct accurate tests.
In the initial stages, herpes can be effectively treated by selecting antiviral drugs. The animal will be prescribed a certain regimen, and the doctor will also prescribe medications to relieve severe symptoms and complications of the infection. During all activities, the pet will be under constant observation to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. Koshkina Alena Anatolyevna
Veterinary assistant, cardiologist
Specialization: therapy, cardiology, anesthesiology
Drugs for the treatment of dermatitis in cats caused by EEG
Treatment is aimed primarily at finding out the cause and bringing it under control. Symptomatically used drugs to reduce itching are steroids (for example, Prednisolone) or Cyclosporine. For deep ulcers and secondary infection, antibiotics may be required.
The situation is strictly individual in each case, therefore, if the symptoms listed above appear, you should absolutely not self-medicate. It is imperative to consult a veterinarian to make a correct diagnosis. After all, even what outwardly looks like an EEG can turn out to be a more serious disease, even a malignant tumor.
