Cold Sores on Cats?

[Lilith Morgaine]

About three days ago my cat was laying on me and I noticed a circular sore on her upper lip, approx 1 mm. I ignored it until tonight when I looked again hoping it disappeared, but it's gotten a bit bigger and there's a small red bump forming on the other side of her lip as well. Last week her nose was a bit runny but it went away. Also she's been licking herself in almost an OCD manner. I figured it was all the stress from packing for the move... I know stress triggers blisters on my lips.
Any thoughts?

[Faol-chù]

About three days ago my cat was laying on me and I noticed a circular sore on her upper lip, approx 1 mm. I ignored it until tonight when I looked again hoping it disappeared, but it's gotten a bit bigger and there's a small red bump forming on the other side of her lip as well. Last week her nose was a bit runny but it went away. Also she's been licking herself in almost an OCD manner. I figured it was all the stress from packing for the move... I know stress triggers blisters on my lips.
Any thoughts?

Look up 'rodent ulcers'...(Does your cat hunt?)

Yes, they can be brought on by stress. They can also be a symptom of Feline Leukemia. Or she might have just got a hold of the wrong mouse..:)

[Willow Rosette]

Cats can also get kitty acne. Move the food and water out of any bowl that is not in ceramic.

Also make sure you dont have any of those toilet bowl cleaner thingys that sit in the toilet. Those cause BIG issues.

[Lilith Morgaine]

the more I read about it the more I think it's the rodent ulcers....
I read the following:

"Eosinophilic ulcer - (rodent ulcers, indolent ulcers) - usually first appear as a small, open sores on the upper lip, just below the nose. The center of the sore has an ulcerated ("scooped out") appearance. If untreated, the sore usually increases in size and depth. In severe cases, the sore may involve the entire upper lip and extend into the mouth. Rodent ulcers occasionally appear in other areas, such as on the back legs. These sores are not usually painful and generally occur in female cats averaging 5-6 years of age. Their cause is unknown, but constant licking of the ulcers probably enlarges them. These ulcers occasionally become cancerous (squamous cell carcinoma) if left untreated."

http://www.animalhealthcare.com/handouts/cats/feladerm.htm

I'm really scared. I don't know what to do! I can't afford the vet right now....

[Faol-chù]

I'm really scared. I don't know what to do! I can't afford the vet right now....



I'll note, firstly, that my male cat had these nasty things, but my female did not. :)

I've got a possible solution, though it will still cost some money...though not as much as a vet's visit.
Take note that this suggestion is homeopathy, and you still need to know dosage. (Very important...cats are extremely sensitive to 'too much' of anything.)

From http://www.holisticat.com/wound_arch1.html :

Hepar Sulph is the choice for rodent ulcers in cats w/ thin, blood-stained discharge and extreme touch sensitivity and a couple others for lick granulomas not on the mouth, but I'm late for class as it is. If you need 'em, let me know.


Le meas,

[Shanti]

I dont have advice but I can send wishes that the prob heals up soon.

[Lilith Morgaine]

Here are pics I took of the sore:

[Catiana]

I know things are tight for you, but you really need to get her into the vet, maybe there is a low cost clinic in your area. :hugz: and hope everything works out.

[Shanti]

That looks more like a growth than a regular sore.

[AutumnWitchie]

Lilith, make sure that your cat hasn't gotten into any kind of cleaning stuff like Febreeze. I had a problem with one of my cats getting into the cabinet where I keep my cleaning supplies. I cought her rubbing her face on the nozzle of the Febreeze bottle and getting a small chemical burn right on her lip. Once I moved the Febreeze where she couldn't get to it her sores cleared up.

[Lilith Morgaine]

I'm taking Genesis to the vet today @ 11:45. I'm scared about $, but I'm even more scared about her lip. I can't stop worrying about it. Goddess help me if I ever have a human child, right? They said not to give her any access to food.....
Wish us luck!

[Pinion]

BEST Wishes for your vet visit! May she have something that is easy and inexpensive to treat! Please keep us updated.

[Shanti]

I'm taking Genesis to the vet today @ 11:45. I'm scared about $, but I'm even more scared about her lip. I can't stop worrying about it. Goddess help me if I ever have a human child, right? They said not to give her any access to food.....
Wish us luck!
Let us know how it goes. Good luck. ~hugs~

[Lilith Morgaine]

Thank you guys. It is a "rodent ulcer". I just hate using the scientific word (I can't even pronounce it). He said it's in the early stages and I was good to bring her in. He gave her a shot of cortisone with only has a RARE possible side effect of diabetes. He said if the shot is successful the sore should be almost gone in 3 weeks. If not, it will have to be surgically removed in the very small likelihood it would turn precancerous. HOPEFULLY it disappears.
He said they tend to be reoccurring and he wouldn't be surprised to see me back in 2 months or 2 years. Well can all just hope for the best and try to be optimistic, right?
Whole thing came to $56... 42 for the visit and 14 for the shot.
Again, the last thing we need to be faced with is cancer or diabetes, but I'm going to go against my nature and try my damnedest to stay as positive and optimistic as possible. I'll need your help though. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I promise to keep you updated.

Love Always,

Amanda and of course the star of the show...

Genesis Claire (MEOW!)

[Pinion]

Glad it was something treatable! $56 isn't too bad. Every time I can walk out of the vet's spending under $100 I do the Happy Dance in the lobby--REALLY. ;)

Just because it's "likely" to come back, that doesn't mean it will. One of my cats had renal failure and the vet said Asp would have issues/recurrences the rest of his life. Knock Wood and Anti-Jinx!!! He only had that problem ONCE, and it's been eight years now.

Steroids CAN cause diabetes in cats, but it doesn't always. I had a diabetic cat for six years (not steroid induced) and I have worked with caregivers of diabetic cats for almost ten. Cats with steroid induced diabetes CAN go into remission. Unlike people, cats can sometimes be "cured" of diabetes through food changes and/or short term insulin treatment. IF (and it's a big IF) she gets diabetes, I will be more than happy to help you and give you the links you need to help your cat.

Hugs

[Shanti]

I too am glad to hear its something treatable. Positive thinking can work miracles, never stop trying it. :)
Well wishes for your fur friend. :)

[Catiana]

I'm glad its treatable, positive and healing energy sent :hugz:

[AutumnWitchie]

Glad you got a good prognosis for the kitty. :D

[Lilith Morgaine]

GUESS WHAT!!!! Almost 3 weeks to the day (just like the vet said after the cortisone shot) I looked at the sore and I couldn't find it! A few days before it was just as big and pink as ever, but last night when I went to check it, it was merely a tiny black shriveled spot! BLESSINGS TO THE GODDESS!!!!!
Thank you all for your support and LOVING ENERGY! Let's pray it stays away and she is sore free for the rest of her days :D

http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/23/23678a13tbtda61.gif

[Willow Rosette]

http://bestsmileys.com/cats1/6.gif

[Shanti]

Thats great news!!!!!!
I am so glad. :)

Be well fur child!!!! :)

[Old Witch]

Yesss!

[Faol-chù]

Glad to hear your kitty is doing better!!!

Le meas,