Lower lip...infection?

muffym

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Hello, everybody!
I am new to this forum and I must say I'm sad that I've come here due to a sad event.

My cat, Muffy is 3 months old. I usually keep him inside my house and let him out for 3-4 hours a day, in our yard.
Yesterday my dad bought an anti-fleas collar and we put it on Muffy. He didn't like it and he tried to remove it several times. I thought he would stop, but at 1am before I went to bed I heard strange noises coming from the kitchen. Then I saw him laying on the floor, struggling, choking on the collar, which was tight around his neck and stuck in his mouth. I freaked out and I took some scissors and cut it off. I noticed his paws were full of blood that was coming out his mouth.

He scratched his jaw and left bits of hair everywhere and his lower lip which used to be black, now has a yellow spot, could it be puss?
I have to mention that this happened in 3 minutes, while I was brushing my teeth, I really couldn't have known that he was about to do that. :(

Since then he's been sleeping, and I gave him milk and soft food, nothing too hard to chew. I think he also has a problem with his teeth.

I also took a photo of his lip while he was sleeping.
I can't go to a vet cause I live pretty far from the city, that's why I came here. Could it be an infection?
I hope you can help me with some advice.
Best regards!
 

margd

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First, welcome to TCS! 
  You have definitely come to the right place to talk about and learn about cats.  I can't tell from the photo what is going on but, not being a vet, I would be hesitant to give an opinion anyway.   I'd be surprised if it was pus though because my understanding is that pus is always soft and can be wiped away, although it comes back if an infection is present.  Unfortunately I think your kitty does need to see a vet because of the problem he is having with his teeth He could be in pain and you wouldn't want him to suffer  While there you should have the vet look at the yellow spot - it sounds like he might have injured himself considering there was blood coming from his mouth.  I can appreciate how hard it is to get to a vet but it really is in your cat's best interest to take him so please try to get him there, if at all possible.

There are a couple other points, as well.   It is a common misconception that cats can drink cow's milk but they really shouldn't.   Many cats are lactose intolerant and cow's milk can cause digestive problems.  Goat's milk is a much better choice if you can get it.   Also, I think flea collars are generally not recommended.  You'll need to double check me on this one because I haven't had to treat my cats in years because they have been indoors for years and we've fortunately avoided any flea infestations. 

Good luck with all this.  And welcome again.  And post lots of pictures of your kitty.  We love photos here!
 
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muffym

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Thank you for the quick reply!

I also forgot to mention that his breath smells terrible and he is also drooling and he seems very tired...usually he's very active he's jumping around
 

stephenq

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Hello, everybody!
I am new to this forum and I must say I'm sad that I've come here due to a sad event.

 
It sounds like an injury from the collar, and that could become infected or fail to heal properly without treatment.  How far away is a vet?

Also, and this may be obvious, but don't use a flea collar again.  If you need to treat for fleas use a liquid once a month spot on treatment like Revolution or Advantage, and you could get these at the vet as well.
 

stephenq

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as 
Thank you for the quick reply!

I also forgot to mention that his breath smells terrible and he is also drooling and he seems very tired...usually he's very active he's jumping around
Bad breath means there is something else going on with his mouth and it could be serious, especially given how young he is?  Has he ever been to a vet?  Has he been tested for FIV and FeLV?
 
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muffym

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He didn't even have fleas, my mum insisted on using that collar, saying that it's better to prevent him from getting any.

I have never taken him to the vet, I was supposed to take him few weeks ago but my dad has been very busy. I will insist on going to a vet tomorrow, cause here it's already late and It's an hour long road.
Is there something I can do to make him feel better? I am bringing him water and food and I'm making sure he sleeps well and in a confortable place (which is my bed).
 

margd

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I can't think of anything else you can do at this point but maybe someone else will have more ideas.  You're doing what I would be doing in similar circumstances.  I'm so glad you'll be able to get him to a vet tomorrow. 
 
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muffym

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He woke up and wanted to go outside, (he scratched the front door).
He played a couple of minutes with his favorite toy and then he started to eat. Also, I've noticed that he can open his mouth easily, because he yawned several times.
He seems pretty normal at the moment.

Thank you so much for the advice, especially the one about cow's milk. I knew that it's hard for humans to digest it but I didn't think it is hard for cats too.
 

stephenq

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He didn't even have fleas, my mum insisted on using that collar, saying that it's better to prevent him from getting any.

I have never taken him to the vet, I was supposed to take him few weeks ago but my dad has been very busy. I will insist on going to a vet tomorrow, cause here it's already late and It's an hour long road.
Is there something I can do to make him feel better? I am bringing him water and food and I'm making sure he sleeps well and in a confortable place (which is my bed).
OK so to keep him healthy and happy he needs a vet visit.  He needs vaccines, a stool sample brought in, testing for FIV and FeLV and of course the mouth needs looking at.  He should also probably be dewormed.  To prevent fleas its much more effective and safer to use one of those topical liquids i mentioned once a month.
 
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muffym

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He seems so much better! He's full of energy and he wanted to go outside after he woke up.

His teeth are fine, because he pounced on my arm while I was half asleep. Normally I won't allow him to bite and scratch my hand but this time I had to, so I could see if his teeth are ok. :D
I mixed some wet food with dry food and he ate it quite fast.

Also, that yellow spot on his lower lip has gotten smaller, I think that's a good sign.

My dad told me that we can't go to the vet today, and that I should find out if he is working on Saturdays. If not, we can go on Monday.
 
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