My cat has a jaw lump after tooth extraction. Why is it bleeding now?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very likely a malignant tumor unfortunately. Cats are very well known for having a mouth tumor called squamous cell carcinoma which carries a poor prognosis. However, it could still be something else. The only way to know is by doing some sampling via fine needle aspiration or possibly a biopsy. If squamous cell carcinoma is confirmed, it is not likely to respond to medications much other than mild decrease in inflammation. Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is limited by how aggressive this tumor is though sometimes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are options. Sorry for the sad news. Let's hope it is more on the benign side. Good luck and have a great day!

We had some problems with clients attaching photos yesterday. And I'm sorry we haven't been able to get to your question until now. Hopefully you have been able to have your vet see Ollie today. There are a few possibilities, but if Ollie had any roots of his teeth that were left behind during his full mouth extraction (which can be common regardless of how careful we are), those roots could form an abscess which would explain the swelling along the face, the enlarged lymph node and the blood in the food. Hopefully he is on some antibiotics and feeling better, but I suspect that your vet will need to sedate him to take some x-rays and determine the source of the problem. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Ollie is feeling better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If there is blood in this lump, that could actually be a sign of a malignant tumor. Because Lucky is 15 years old, unfortunately that is a possibility. It's a good idea to have this lump removed, and I'd recommend having it sent for a biopsy if your vet hasn't mentioned that to you before. I hope the surgery goes well tomorrow, and I hope this helps you!

Without feeling the masses and seeing the content of them I cannot really guess whether they are tumors or cysts. Your kitty also has an upper respiratory problem, which needs to be investigated. This could be caused by a polyp, a bacterial infection or a virus or a foreign body such as a grass blade or similar in the upper respiratory tract. The broken canine also may cause him pain, even if he appears not to be suffering. I suggest you take your lovely Tiger to a vet for an exam where all these problems can be addressed.

It is possible that it is a tumor, and could possibly be infected. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon. They may recommend antibiotics and possibly removal. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Poor Zoe and poor you! It sounds like you both have been through a lot lately. You are right that the incision area looks really red and swollen, and another type of antibiotic may be needed to treat the infection. Taking a culture of the area will help the vet identify what bacteria are present and subsequently which antibiotic would be best to treat the infection. As for the new lump, yes having it surgically removed would be best, as 90% of mammary tumors in cats are malignant. You can speak with your vet about removal of that lump.