Why Is My Domestic Short Hair Kitten’s Lip Swollen? (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Karyn is a small animal veterinarian originally from Australia, now based in the UK. She holds degrees in Veterinary Science (2010) and Zoology. When not helping pets, she tends to her 5 cats and garden!
The Question
Hi, My cat’s lip has been swollen for about 3 days, but he’s eating and behaving normally. He plays in the backyard every day, so I’m wondering if it could be from an insect bite or an allergic reaction. Should I be concerned?
Quick Info about Bong
Bong's profile pictureHi there!
Thanks for writing in. I see you're from my home country, Australia!
The swelling on Bong's lip could be from an insect sting or bite, though I would expect it to have started going down by now.
The other possibility is something often referred to as a 'rodent ulcer', more correctly known as indolent or eosinophilic ulcers, which are part of the feline eosinophilic granuloma complex, commonly associated with hypersensitivity reactions. They are often not very painful themselves, and they may appear and disappear throughout a cat's life.
The fact that Bong also has a sensitive stomach could be linked to this, but it's difficult to say for certain. However, keeping him on a low-allergen, limited-protein diet would be a good idea for both his delicate tummy and to reduce general allergen exposure.
Because he plays outside, I would also make sure he is on good parasite control, as fleas and intestinal worms can also trigger hypersensitivity reactions.
It would be a good idea to book Bong in for a check-up with the vet to make sure there isn't anything more serious going on.
I hope this helps!
Dr Karyn