My cat's mouth is swollen, he's not eating. Could it be an abscess?

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!

Hello, it looks like an abscess, probably a tooth abscess, it's an emergency as he is not eating, take him to the emergency vet as soon as you can today, the abscess will need to be drained under anesthesia first, then a course of antibiotics will be given.

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.

Smok is a very handsome boy! See what you mean about this lump. It could be an abscess, it could be a cyst, it could be a lymph node swelling due to infection, or it could be related to a dental problem. It is concerning that is has kept on swelling for the past three days, and now is the time to take him into the vet. The vet is the best person to diagnose what is causing this swelling so it can be treated appropriately. I would take Smok into the vet first thing in the morning. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Mr. Cheeks! I think I need more details to be helpful about where and how many abscesses he had. My worry is that is is now Friday and he isn't better. Cats can't go a long time with out eating well. What you are describing is NOT normal. I recommend having him seen today before the weekend for a recheck so he isn't suffering through the weekend. I wish Mr. Cheeks the best!

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.

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very concerning as it is clearly affecting Nibbler's appetite and demeanor. What you describe could be due to things like an oral abscess or even cancer, among other possibilities. I highly recommend that you have Nibbler evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. I really hope that it is something that she can recover from quickly! Good luck!