My cat's face is swollen from a bite and worsening. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You could try to keep it clean but aside from that, I am afraid that he will need veterinary care. Puncture or bite wounds can get infected rather quickly and result in a fever which may be why he is not eating. They can form abscesses that require local treatment and antibiotics. You could perhaps consider taking him to an emergency veterinarian who is open over the weekend. Good luck and have a great day!

No, the swelling should not still be there after a week. Cat bites get infected very easily so Oliver probably needs antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to get this to clear up fully. The swelling you are seeing is either an abscess or cellulitis. He really needs to see your vet for this. Here is a link about cat bites that will give you more in-depth information. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wounds-fight-wound-infections-in-cats There is nothing I can recommend you give him at home.Cats are very sensitive to over the counter medications (unlike dogs) and you could really cause him some harm if you try to give him any of those. He really needs medications prescribed by your vet. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear Arpy is having facial swelling. Swelling like you are describing can be due to a variety of reasons, including infection (such as an abscess), a problem with a tooth, a growth, or an allergic reaction, among others. I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian, as medications (such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory) or even a dental procedure may be necessary to help resolve it. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Facial swelling in cats is usually related to abscesses, either from external wound (scratch, cat fight) or from dental diseases. Please, take Bro to your local vets to confirm the diagnosis and to start treatment for him.

Facial swelling can be caused by an allergic reaction to something such as an insect sting or spider bite, an abscess from an injury, or even an abscessed tooth (unlikely in such a young cat). I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Depending on what the diagnosis is will determine what medications are recommended. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It is quite difficult to appreciate where the swelling is based on these images. I sort of think I can see what you are talking about in the third image. One of the most common reasons for swelling on the face in cats is when something is wrong with the teeth. Cats are known for getting abscesses in the roots of their teeth. When this happens, the area outside of the mouth on the face and around can get swollen (and eventually become painful). Other causes of swelling around the face and throat would be enlargement of the lymph nodes, allergic reactions, or some sort of mass. I would bring Genevieve to a veterinarian to have the area assessed in order to get to the bottom of things.

Although a picture of it would help to determine the underlying cause more specifically, this presentation seems to be likely related to a tooth abscess/infection. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.