My cat's tongue is hanging out after neuter surgery. Is it normal?

Depending on which teeth and how many are removed it is not uncommon for some dogs to not be able to keep their tongue in after extractions. This can also be a nervous behavior or a sign of nausea. It is unlikely neurological if there are no other signs such as difficulty swallowing or blinking or any changes in facial symmetry

Excessive drooling can be a sign of nausea, dental problems, or pain. It's good that his surgical site looks look and everything else appears normal. I do think having Carl seen by a vet in the morning is a good idea, and tonight keep an eye on him. Try feeding him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) to see if that helps settle his stomach in case he is nauseous. Keep him in a quiet room for him to rest, and please do not give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. If he develops other signs such as anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or extreme lethargy, I would take him into an ER vet right away. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

While being a little groggy and sore post-surgery is normal, what you are describing may be due to trauma from intubation (or keeping the airway open during surgery). I recommend having Winston seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine what is going on. However, if you believe that Winston is having trouble breathing (gasping for air, gums turning blue) he should be seen by a vet immediately.

He has a very short snout, so this may be because his tongue is too long and there is not enough space for his tongue inside the mouth. This is very likely, especially if he can freely move his tongue. If his tongue appears paralysed you need to take him to your veterinarian for an exam to find out why. There could be various reasons for this.

I am sorry Finn has you so worried today. There are a few reasons that a young cat like Finn may be drooling. Pain in the mouth due to a tooth issue or ulcers on the tongue or cheeks, eating something they aren't supposed to like plants or foreign objects are some common reasons. Some cats will also drool a little bit when they are really happy. I once had a cat that would drool very small amounts when he was happy and purring like crazy. When you take him in the vet will likely do an oral exam and try to examine his teeth, tongue and cheeks as best as they can (this can be hard to do in a cat who is fully awake). If they have any concerns about not being able to see everything they may recommend sedation to get a better look. Since Finn is eating and drinking and as long as he isn't vomiting or acting lethargic I think it would be ok to wait for your appointment tomorrow. Be on the lookout for any other symptoms he may have and make sure to tell your vet if you notice anything. That can help in making a diagnosis. If the drooling becomes profuse (think foamy drool all around the lips) or if he seems to be in pain or if he stops eating and drinking then I would recommend you take him in sooner.

Hello. This is all VERY normal after a significant extraction of infected teeth. A little blood mixed in with saliva is causing the pink slime, & Maxi will hopefully learn to reposition her tongue, but many dogs without any more teeth will keep some of their tongue exposed. She will be fine. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.