Why can't my cat close his mouth and eat? Is it an emergency?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sam. I recommend that he sees an emergency veterinarian today. He needs to be examined. If there is a smell coming from his mouth, I worry that he has a wound. If he is painful, then he will not open his mouth. There are also other causes of not being able to use the mouth properly such as infectious and inflammatory conditions. The veterinarian will examine him and may recommend some testing. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help him feel better. I worry that he will become dehydrated from not eating and drinking properly. This may need to be addressed as well. I hope this information helps!

If you have a regular vet you can call them to see if they have an emergency line or answering service that can refer you to an emergency clinic in your area. Keeping your cat calm and quiet can help keep him from getting injured more, but he can't close his mouth at all he needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Without examining your cat or at least seeing some photos it is very difficult for me to comment. The best I can tell you is that he needs to see a vet so he can be examined in person. He may have a seriously infected tooth or even a tumor in his mouth cavity. Both things can cause the sign you describe. He cannot be left in this condition without eating and losing weight. It sounds like he is in pain so he needs to see a vet right away. I would not wait to get him examined. This is an emergency in my opinion.

Oh no that is awful! The cat will have to be sedated to remove the tongue and the tongue may need stitches to close the hole. The tongue is an amazing organ and actually heals quite quickly, so I expect it would be a great prognosis. This will be extremely painful to the cat and it's serious he can't eat or drink. This is a medical emergency and he has to see a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.

I recommend to take him to the vet immediately he may have a foreign body (FB) in his mouth. Linear FB such as strings can be under the tongue. the fact he seems in distress and not eating/drinking will require him to be checked by a vet possibly under sedation to look thoroughly and safely in the mouth do not to try to do it yourself especially since he is not cooperative .Try and get him in a carrier to take him. Good Luck

I would get him in as soon as you can, but not necessarily as an emergency. It could probably wait until Monday. There good be an infected tooth, inflammation in the gums, a small ulcer or mass, or something else causing this behavior.

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question. Poor little kitty! I'm wondering if she was abandoned and she has a broken jaw preventing her from closing her mouth. This is a medical emergency, and she has to see a vet. I will give you some resources that can help you afford a vet, but if you truly can't afford one, take her into the SPCA immediately. They can get her the veterinary care she desperately needs and find her a home. I hope this helps! If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/