Why is my cat's face swollen, hiding, and sitting in litter box a lot?

This may be the start of an upper respiratory disease. They usually do have a fever and swollen lymph nodes (possibly causing the face to swell) early in the infection, which will make them feel bad. They also tend to avoid eating and drinking early in the infection. It appears that both sides of Blue's face are swollen, but if it happens that only one side is swollen, then this can indicate a local infection/abscess. This can happen with bite wounds, other puncture wounds, or dental disease. I wouldn't be too concerned about this being an emergency, but it's best if you can get Blue to a vet within the next day or two. While these infections are often mild, they can become complicated, which will make things much worse. The vet would be able to narrow-down the cause of this and prescribe the necessary treatment to make him feel better and keep the infection from getting worse. I hope this helps and Blue feels better soon.

Poor kitty! I'm sorry to hear that you're having this problem. Unfortunately, I can't really tell what's going on in this photo, except that his mouth appears to be swollen and there is something (maybe his tongue?) protruding from his mouth or chin. I would definitely say that he needs to see a veterinarian, but can't even hazard a guess as to what might be wrong or what kind of treatment would be needed without an exam and a more detailed history. I would recommend having him seen by a veterinarian today if at all possible. Once the initial exam has been done, he/she should be able to give you a better idea of what might be wrong and what kind of treatment is needed, including costs.

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.

Terry needs to be examined by the veterinarian today. The most common reasons for a swelling like this are tooth root abscesses, skin abscess or an allergic reaction (which is the least common). Abscesses can be very serious and cause sepsis if not treated so I recommend to have him examined today for the correct diagnosis and treatment. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It sounds likely it is related to the extraction, most likely a tooth abscess or an infection that developed post surgery. you need to take her to your vet in order to get it checked and treated ASAP.

It's possible that it could be an allergy or infection. Additional causes could be an underlying viral illness that is coming back in times of stress or at regular intervals. Tooth abscesses may also cause pain in the mouth and jaw, as well as swelling. It would be best to have some more tests done by your vet next time it occurs, such as a dental X-ray, bloodwork, or sample of the affected area taken for testing. This may help you and your vet figure out what the underlying cause is.

A sudden swelling under the jaw could be an abscess. Typically these need to be seen by a vet; as they often need to be lanced/drained to get the pus and infection out; then started on antibiotics. Pain medication may be given as well. If he isn't eating, if he's acting lethargic or otherwise not feeling well (vomiting, diarrhea, any change in breathing) seek emergency care. If your vet's office is closed, they likely have a message with who to call or where to seek after hours care in the case of an emergency. If he's still eating and acting ok, you can call and make an appointment at the first possible time. I hope that helps you! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!