Droopy lower lip on one side??

Are both pupils the same size? Does the eye lid on that same side droop also or is everything okay with the eyes?

Normally what you're seeing happens when a facial nerve is not functioning properly. From what I understand there can be more than one reason for this, so please take him to the vet for an exam as soon as possible to find out what's going on.

Please let us know what you find out.

I've never seen that on a cat before, I think you should call your vet.

Incongruity with facial muscles can often indicate a neurological problem. Definitely get your kitty checked out.

I would be worried of a stroke or something about to happen. I have never seen that on any cat and I have alot in house let alone the ones I see

I would bring the photo if it starts to heal so vet can see that.

a thought no one wants to think of but is he up to date on rabies shot? I would want the cat seen today if it were me. It may be nothing or may be some infection going on in there. thats pressuring something.

I doubt it and would not say anything its just always something you have to keep in mind with a cat with outside access and not sure what rates are but in my part of state we rank higher cause ALOT of land/strays. Hope its something simple and all is well or just something for an antibiotic to fix. try to update when you can as would like to know with just the mouth and not the entire face seem more local-bug bite or infected tooth.

All paws crossed for Milo. I'm glad you are bringing him in today, be sure to let us know what you find out

I'm glad you're taking him to the vet to make sure.
It might be a minor problem, like swelling, but it's best to make sure it's nothing serious.

Lots of coming your way for Milo. I hope everything goes well at the vet and that we get good news!

I hope he'll be fine!

So glad you got the appointment, and please, please let us know what the vet says. I have never seen that on a cat, ever.

Odd, did the vet check the teeth for any signs of infections or like a fox tail? I am glad he is on antibiotics. I might get a second opinion if you can.

I'm so glad the vet doesn't think anything serious is going on.
Hopefully the meds will help very soon.

From what I've read, this condition in cats and dogs is somewhat similar to idiopathic Bell's palsy in humans which, according to information is an inflammatory condition that leads to swelling of the facial nerve. Also according to information treatment with steroids is very helpful, especially if started early.

One identifiable cause in cats, dogs and humans can be Lyme disease. (Unfortunately test results for Lyme disease are not one hundred percent reliable. A cat or dog with Lyme disease can still have negative test results. I believe, humans as well.)

Other causes in cats and dogs can be dental and ear problems.

Hopefully Milo will have a quick recovery from this.

Thanks for the update on Milo. Hope the steroid helps. Is he eating okay?

I had a facial nerve swelling (a real case of Bell's palsy, actually) as a result of walking home in the cold after some thorough workout during my basketball practice in elementary school (those basically happen when you suddenly expose your sweaty and/or warm self to low temperatures).

It's painless, but it causes droopy lips/mouth and can affect eyes as well - for instance, you are unable to open or close it. It's completely painless, though.

I was on an antibiotic for a throat infection that happened at the same time (but unrelated) and then months of high doses of vitamin B. Sometimes they perform surgeries, but luckily I didn't need one. According to the doctor, about 1 in 1000 get over it without any nerve damage or visible signs. I got lucky!

Of course I have no idea if a cat could have it, but I am glad the vet didn't think Milo had anything serious!

Hope the meds help Milo. Glad it wasn't anything more serious!! Continuing for Milo

Pills are easier than liquid in my opinion. All my cats accept pilling, or any kind of messing about without problem now but this is my method when they are new to it: (I know Milo is a he, but I have this already written out, so don't be disturbed if it says "she"sometimes)

For pilling, I advise this: use a dot of something soft and wet s/he likes. You can try mayonnaise, yogurt, even a little soft butter or cream cheese. Just a drop will do. Make sure you have everything ready, in a bowl is good. Pill, and spoon with a little mayonnaise (or whatever)

Use the holding position. Kneel on the floor with your feet crossed behind you, hold kitty between your knees facing out. S/he will try to back away and will not be able to.

With cat in holding position (as described above), put a dot of the mayo (or whatever) on kitty's mouth to keep her busy and to get the saliva flowing (so the pill doesn't stick).

While kitty is licking her mouth, hold pill in one hand, pry open mouth with other, poke pill in, toward side of mouth and as far back as you can.

You can let go of her mouth at this point, but keep a hand on her to keep her still while you get another bit of yogurt (or mayo or...) on your finger and put a dot on her nose and mouth. She will lick off the yogurt and swallow, pill and all.

this can work with liquids too.

I make it sound easier than it is, at first. It does take practice. And you have to approach it with confidence, kitty will sense if you are hesitant. But once you master this method you'll be able to pill any cat, any time. I know I can!

Some pills (baytril for instance) are very bad tasting. For those it helps to put the pill into a plain empty gel capsule. Gel caps go down easier too. Check with vet or pharmacist before using capsules, as a capsule may affect the dissolving time and this may be an issue for some meds.

You can order empty gel caps on line.

ps, the wet treat on nose trick works with ear drops, eye care, anything really,even nail trims! the idea is, 1)she associates the nastiness with something good, and 2) she's so busy licking her nose she forgets about the other stuff.

I recognise that write up, Otto.

I can recommend it, actually.

I had a huge amount of trouble pilling Mackerel when she first came home from the vet. We tried everything- crushing the pill up in food... she didn't eat the food, crushing it up in milk and syringing it into her mouth... she worked out a way to lean forward and not swallow so the milk just dribbled out of her mouth.

I ended up using Otto's method and added a "pill popper" to it - one of the long 'grasping' syringes that you can use to make sure the pill is put far enough back in the mouth.

The most valuable tips that I got were Otto's tip about dabbing a dot of something on the nose- it was sooooooooo much easier to pill Mackerel after I started doing that. and coating the pill in something like butter or mayo or yoghurt before putting it in her mouth, as well. (Imagine having to swallow a pill without any kind of lubrication on it D: and without a glass of water or anything to swallow with it either!)

I'm so glad it helped you!

Hurray! Thanks for the happy update. Glad I could help. Love the pics, aww...look at the sweet boy!

Great to hear that Milo's doing better!!! He looks awesome.

Awwww! I'm so happy Milo is better!

Please, Please take your cat to the vet ASAP. I have a neighbor who'se mouth started drooping (she didn't take to vet), a couple months later she called me down in an emergency and the lip on one side was rotted away and went down below the chin - I do not know what it was caused from - she AGAIN refused to take her cat to the vet (I was so p.o.'d) because I knew this cat was in pain and suffering every second (you could tell by this time) and her cat did die.

I would take your cat to the vet soon. Especially if it droops any more at all.
I could not believe what I saw in this neighbor's cat - I hadn't seen anything so horrible in all my life. My only guess was severe dental neglect of a chronic gingivitis cat (but just was guessing as the teeth were all rotten, too).

Some people, AGH!!!!!!

Vet, highly recommend vet.

Warmly,

Julie O'

Julie if you read the whole thread you will find out that Milo has been to the vet and is doing much better.

Hmm, this often happens when I spend too much time on an entry.

{{{sigh}}}

Did you ever find out what was going on?

My kittie is 15 been inside her whole life up to date on all shots, had 2 teeth taken out Feb 2010 (had full blood work panel and everything was OK), noticed a year later Feb 2011 and seems to very slowly getting worse. Would greatly appreciate if you found out what was going on. Planning on taking my Baby girl (her litter mate brother is totally fine) to the vet soon, but would love to get some research on what others have seen.

Thank you so much for you response.

Stormy and Misty