Possible rodent ulcer

I have a 14yr old domestic long hair black cat. He's had a growth on his lip for abt 6 mths & it's getting worse. It started as a small pimple looking thing but has grown larger. It had a pit in middle & puffy around it. We have tried shot of steroids a few wks ago (prednisone) which seemed to start clearing up but then it stopped. I've read that sometimes a few of these shots are needed to wipe it out along with antibiotics. I hv anothr apptmt tmrw w a vet & will suggest another shot of steroids. I don't like giving Salem this as he drinks & peeps way too much but I know that's becz med can cause dehydration. Doc suggested biopsy & possibly surgery but that woukd cost 1500-2000 & honestly I'm not sure I wanna put my older cat under anesthesia. Plus I don't have that kind of money sitting around. Anyone who has experienced this pls let me know wat treatments worked. Thks sheila

Hello, my Ella had a rodent ulcer... Literally appeared overnight and was huge!!! You can see in the picture her normal mouth then how large the ulcer was in the second.. She had an antihistamine shot.. I can't remember the exact name but was more an allergy shot than a steroid.. Sorry that's not much help, Ella's appeared after I had decorated and since then she has overgroomed so definitely stress related which is such a shame as she's in such a happy home... The shot cleared it up within 3 days though and hasn't returned since xx.

can you tell me what kind of antihistamine? I'm going to bring Salem to vet tmrw. THey only just gave the steroid shot once... I was just reading more about this condition and found this info:

The most effective treatment of rodent ulcer is usually a steroid like cortisone given in combination with an initial antibiotic (clindamycin or Clavamox[emoji]174[/emoji]) to prevent a secondary bacterial infection. The cortisone may be given in pill form (prednisone) or injection (Depo-medrol) given in three doses spread two weeks apart. Prednisone pills can be given daily until the ulcer disappears, but depending on the cat's mouth condition from the ulcer, giving pills may not be an option.

For persistent cases that do not respond to steroid + antibiotic treatment, some vets advise radiation therapy or cryosurgery in combination with cyclosporine or interferon. This is only indicated when the ulcer is causing your cat major problems. Injections of gold salts have also been used for difficult cases.

I'm really hoping the vet can help us otherwise I will have to find another vet to take Salem to. I feel they are guessing at things and wanting a biopsy and perhaps surgery, but again, my cat is 14.5yrs old and I don't feel good putting him under anesthesia and spending $2k for this if it's not cancerous.

Thanks,

Sheila

Hi, I'm so sorry I wish I knew.. It's midnight here in the UK so I'm unable to find out until I can ask the vet tomorrow and I don't know if that will be too late for you?? I'm pretty sure it was an allergy shot as the original thought was a reaction to the flea treatment I gave, when she had another shot a week later (not for ulcer that had gone) once I noticed the over grooming it didn't cure that so the vet said she's definitely not allergic to anything so allergies were mentioned a lot.. My vet doesn't open for another 8hours now and unfortunately I don't have any papers... Wasn't prednislone though as she's just come off a course of 15 tablets for something unrelated... Honestly poor thing she's falling apart at the moment xx

Sorry I forgot to wish good luck for tomorrow.. Looking at the information you found it seems that maybe another shot will help... I don't think surgery should be considered yet that's quite drastic!! Does it look anything like Ella's?? My vet said she had seen worse.. There was a definite white centre to the spot too... Very deep from what I could make out.. I was so worried it appeared overnight!!! First couple of days nothing happened and still bright red and sore.. Even thought she ate fine... Then it went as quickly as it appeared xx

Rodent ulcers are usually allergy related. Oral steroids are better for treatment as they cause less side effects. One of my cats has this and was on steroids almost for an entire year. After a few months steroid free her lesion came back and she is now on steroids again. She had three shots last year then was put on oral steroids.

It is difficult as it's nearly impossible to determine what they are allergic to

Hello... How did it go at the vets for Salem?? My apologies after finally getting hold of the vet I was told it was a shot of prednisone Ella had so I do apologise.. She was fine on it though and it did go after a few days.. Have my fingers crossed xx

THanks for checking on Salem. Well it turns out he has diabetes and they think it is because he had the Depo Medrol shot (steroid) weeks ago. When he had that shot, the vet told me there was a 2% chance he could get diabetes but he really isn't an obese cat so she didn't think that could happen. Well, the blood tests came back & he shows it.. His glucose level was 512,(very high)...so now instead of the lip issue, we have to deal w/the diabetes..start insulin, etc.. I'm so overwhelmed at this point. I will have to give him 2 shots a day, I'm hoping it goes into remission. I work full time, my son will have to do the day shot & I'll do the evening. We have to change his diet also & measure his blood glucose levels. They also think the sore on his lip COULD BE cancerous..E'thing at a vet is "think, or could be" and then it equals $$$. My boy turns 15 next Oct and I don't see him having surgery at this point in his life. He's a healthy cat, eats like normal altho after that darn shot, he was drinking & peeing like crazy. I will pick up the insulin on Sat & go to vets Mon to have the technician show me how to do the insulin. If anyone has experience with this, please let me know. I will prob post this somewhere else as well. Doc also gave me an antibiotic pill to start Salem on just in case that sore has any underlying bacteria/infection. ugh..

Oh no I'm so so sorry to hear this about Salem, can't believe he has got that after the shot:-( poor boy... I never got told about that, in fact I hardly get told anything until I research it after and see reviews etc I really hope the lip turns out ok. So overwhelming with both of those things going on for you... I'm sending so many good luck vibes to Salem and fingers crossed he gets better soon xxx

My DH does the morning shot and I do the evening shot always. It is a system that prevents miscommunication and double dosing (insulin shock). Double check all the time regardless. Designate a place to leave a note if a shot was late, or missed, or was a possible fur shot. A  big post-it note on the fridge door, or on the box of needles works. As does the bathroom mirror.