My cat's upper lip has a hole from a tooth. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like it is due to the tooth causing pressure on the gum causing this ulcer/lesion. I would agree with your veterinarian in that they probably need to sedate or put under anesthesia to be able to better evaluate this region. Then they can treat it accordingly. If it is found to be dental disease, they can correct it then. Best of luck!

I am very sorry that Kitty has his sore near her lip. Thank you for proving pictures, it is difficult to know precisely what caused this lesion it may have been a cat scratch, a traumatic puncture from for example a fence, or possible a primary skin like feline acne, or allergic disease. At this stage it appears to be slightly crusted and inflamed and I would suggest a trip to the veterinarian. The vet will most likely clean the wound and debris any necrotic material. The vet may also send home pain relief, anti inflammatory medications and / or antibiotics. The vet will also be able examine the area and reach a diagnosis. Best of luck to you both and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It appears as though the skin has been detached from the lower jaw from an injury of some sort. I would recommend having a veterinarian look at this for the most appropriate treatment. She will likely need to be sedated and have stitches placed in this area to help reattach the skin to the jaw.

Poor Floquinha, pictures can be very difficult to interpret but it looks like she may have pulled to skin away from the gums. I would recommend a vet check to ensure there is no infection or debris in the wound but at this late stage surgical repair may not be possible with treatment aiming to keep the area clean and allow secondary wound healing.

Poor guy. You can try an over the counter oral rinse or water additive from your local pet store for a few days to a week to see if there is improvement. These products typically provide a really good antiseptic cleanse of the area and can help heal minor lesions around or in the mouth. However, if you notice any swelling, or no improvement within that time frame, its best to have Pete looked at by your vet. He likely will need antibiotics to help it heal if that is the case. Also it is not normal for a pet to loose teeth, so it is best to have Pete a complete oral exam and assessment to ensure he doesn't need further care. I hope that your furry friend gets better soon! Best wishes and take care. : )

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Cha Cha and for providing a picture, it's very helpful! The gum around that tooth looks a bit red and swollen, so I'm concerned it could be a problem with her tooth. Cats do get holes in their teeth, but they are generally the same color as the tooth and are the result of tooth resorption rather than decay as you would see with a cavity. It may be also that something is stuck on that tooth. I do think it's worth getting checked out by a vet, so give her vet a call to make her an appointment. Best of luck.

Cats normally have a thickened area on their lower lip where their upper canine teeth hit it. It is a way for the body to protect the lip. If it appears the same on both sides, this is likely what you are seeing. You didn't mention how old Prim is. If a cat has an abnormal jaw they can have problems with where their upper teeth hit their lower lips, but this will be present from birth and will normally be noticed when they are young. If you think you are seeing something abnormal with Prim, please feel free to post again with a picture, and we will be happy to look at it for you. I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.