How to Diagnose and Treat Rodent Ulcers in Cats
Look for sores on the lips and mouth., Notice if your cat has a decreased appetite., Determine if your cat is in pain., Ask your vet to examine the ulcers., Treat the ulcers with steroid injections., Give your cat steroid pills., Administer...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for sores on the lips and mouth.
Rodent ulcers are characterized by the development of sores or lesions on the lips and mouth of the cat.
The upper lip area is the most common place for sores to develop.
Inspect your cat’s mouth if you see red sores appearing on the upper lip.The sores may be covered in scabs, or they may bleed and give off a foul odor.
In rare instances, sores may develop on other areas of the body. -
Step 2: Notice if your cat has a decreased appetite.
In some cases when a cat is inflicted with rodent ulcers it will stop eating or it will eat less than normal.
This is because the lesions on their mouth are sore making it painful to chew food.If you notice your cat has a decreased appetite you should check for sores and take it to the vet. , The cat may exhibit signs of pain caused by the rodent ulcers.
For example, the cat may hide or become aggressive.
If your cat demonstrates any major behavioural changes, you should check for sores and take it to the vet., If your cat has developed sores on its lips and inside its mouth, you should consult your vet for a formal diagnosis.
Your vet will be able to diagnose rodent ulcers simply by examining the lesions.In rare instances the veterinarian may need to perform a biopsy to ensure that the ulcers are not cancerous.
This typically only happens if the ulcers do not respond to treatment. , Steroid injections are the most common way to treat rodent ulcers in cats.
Your veterinarian will give the cat an injection in order to treat the ulcer.
These injections will be given once every two to three weeks, until the sores have disappeared., Rodent ulcers can also be treated by giving your cat prednisone orally.
Your veterinarian will prescribe pills that are given orally every 24 hours until the lesions are gone.
In order to properly administer the medication, follow the directions provided by your veterinarian., In some instances the ulcers may become infected.
If this happens, your vet will likely prescribe an antibiotic in order to treat the infection alongside the lesions.
Take the antibiotics as directed by the veterinarian., Some vets believe that essential fatty acids can help relieve stress in cats and reduce allergic reactions in some instances.
If you are not feeding your cat a premium food, they may not get enough fatty acid in their diet.
Change to a new food that is higher in essential fatty acids or give your cat a supplement, as directed by their vet., Rodent ulcers are typically caused by an allergic reaction.
As a result, they may recur if you are unable to determine what is causing the allergy.
If the ulcers return, take your cat to the vet and repeat the treatment. , Some cats will have an allergic skin reaction to fleas.
This reaction can cause rodent ulcers to develop.
If your vet suspects that fleas may have caused the development of the ulcers, you will need to treat the fleas and prevent future infestations.
Talk with your vet about the best treatment and prevention option for your cat.For example, your vet may prescribe Advantage or Frontline Plus which are given monthly and treat and prevent fleas. , Some cats have food allergies that could contribute to the formation of rodent ulcers.
Your vet can help conduct a food allergy trial to determine if food is causing the ulcers.
Once you have discovered the cause, change your cat’s food to prevent future outbreaks., The rodent ulcers may be caused by an allergic reaction to plastic or rubber.
For example, if your cat eats and drinks from plastic or rubber bowls, you should consider switching to stainless steel bowls.
Stainless steel is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. -
Step 3: Determine if your cat is in pain.
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Step 4: Ask your vet to examine the ulcers.
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Step 5: Treat the ulcers with steroid injections.
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Step 6: Give your cat steroid pills.
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Step 7: Administer antibiotics.
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Step 8: Try a food that contains essential fatty acids.
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Step 9: Repeat treatments as necessary.
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Step 10: Give your cat flea prevention medicine.
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Step 11: Change the cat’s food.
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Step 12: Use stainless steel food bowls.
Detailed Guide
Rodent ulcers are characterized by the development of sores or lesions on the lips and mouth of the cat.
The upper lip area is the most common place for sores to develop.
Inspect your cat’s mouth if you see red sores appearing on the upper lip.The sores may be covered in scabs, or they may bleed and give off a foul odor.
In rare instances, sores may develop on other areas of the body.
In some cases when a cat is inflicted with rodent ulcers it will stop eating or it will eat less than normal.
This is because the lesions on their mouth are sore making it painful to chew food.If you notice your cat has a decreased appetite you should check for sores and take it to the vet. , The cat may exhibit signs of pain caused by the rodent ulcers.
For example, the cat may hide or become aggressive.
If your cat demonstrates any major behavioural changes, you should check for sores and take it to the vet., If your cat has developed sores on its lips and inside its mouth, you should consult your vet for a formal diagnosis.
Your vet will be able to diagnose rodent ulcers simply by examining the lesions.In rare instances the veterinarian may need to perform a biopsy to ensure that the ulcers are not cancerous.
This typically only happens if the ulcers do not respond to treatment. , Steroid injections are the most common way to treat rodent ulcers in cats.
Your veterinarian will give the cat an injection in order to treat the ulcer.
These injections will be given once every two to three weeks, until the sores have disappeared., Rodent ulcers can also be treated by giving your cat prednisone orally.
Your veterinarian will prescribe pills that are given orally every 24 hours until the lesions are gone.
In order to properly administer the medication, follow the directions provided by your veterinarian., In some instances the ulcers may become infected.
If this happens, your vet will likely prescribe an antibiotic in order to treat the infection alongside the lesions.
Take the antibiotics as directed by the veterinarian., Some vets believe that essential fatty acids can help relieve stress in cats and reduce allergic reactions in some instances.
If you are not feeding your cat a premium food, they may not get enough fatty acid in their diet.
Change to a new food that is higher in essential fatty acids or give your cat a supplement, as directed by their vet., Rodent ulcers are typically caused by an allergic reaction.
As a result, they may recur if you are unable to determine what is causing the allergy.
If the ulcers return, take your cat to the vet and repeat the treatment. , Some cats will have an allergic skin reaction to fleas.
This reaction can cause rodent ulcers to develop.
If your vet suspects that fleas may have caused the development of the ulcers, you will need to treat the fleas and prevent future infestations.
Talk with your vet about the best treatment and prevention option for your cat.For example, your vet may prescribe Advantage or Frontline Plus which are given monthly and treat and prevent fleas. , Some cats have food allergies that could contribute to the formation of rodent ulcers.
Your vet can help conduct a food allergy trial to determine if food is causing the ulcers.
Once you have discovered the cause, change your cat’s food to prevent future outbreaks., The rodent ulcers may be caused by an allergic reaction to plastic or rubber.
For example, if your cat eats and drinks from plastic or rubber bowls, you should consider switching to stainless steel bowls.
Stainless steel is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
About the Author
Kayla Russell
Creates helpful guides on organization to inspire and educate readers.
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