Why is my cat's tongue black, swollen, and he can't close his mouth?

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.

Your cat needs to see his veterinarian ASAP. It is possible that your cat has a tooth abscess, severe periodontal disease, something lodged inside the mouth, an injury, or an oral tumor. Regardless of cause, this is a serious medical condition since it is preventing him from eating and drinking normally. Your cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated and developing a condition called hepatic liposis, which can lead to liver failure. Even going 24 hours without food can cause changes in liver functioning.

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.

This is an emergency. Your cat may have tried to eat something poisonous such as a toad, have severe ulcers or tooth abscesses or have been bitten or stung by an insect and now has a severe allergic reaction. Please take Rory to an emergency vet or out of hours veterinary service right away for an exam and treatment.

This is an emergency. Your kitty could have a severe allergic reaction, or a snake bite or serious injury (maybe because of a collision with a car). He needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. Please take him to a PetEr right now as this sounds life-threatening.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Korra. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian as soon as you are able. The lip is swollen and possibly ulcerated. This is likely uncomfortable for her. The veterinarian will examine her especially looking inside the the mouth. She could have further wounds in her mouth or even a bad tooth. Treatment will be started based on these findings. I do not believe an over-the-counter medication will help. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications either as they are toxic to cats. I hope this information helps!

It's hard to say what is going on without seeing it in person. It could be a sting, or it could be an infected tooth, mass in the mouth, an inflammatory condition in the gums, a tumor, etc. I would recommend that you have Shades examined by a vet to determine what is going on and what treatment it may need.