Sores Inside a Cat's Mouth

If you have noticed that you cat is neglecting its food and water dish, wiping its mouth with its paw, or crying out in pain when it yawns or tries to groom, its behavior may be caused by one or more sores in its mouth. Many times, this kind of irritation is caused by an allergy or a skin infection, but there are other serious conditions that could also be the cause of your cat's mouth sores.

  1. Eosinophilic Granulomas

    • Eosinophilic granulomas are also known as rodent ulcers. They are caused by a malfunctioning immune system that is mistakenly targeting your cat's mouth. Eosinophilic granulomas can be a chronic problem that is very painful for your cat and can lead to disfigurement if left untreated. It is most common in cats under seven years of age, it can be genetic, and the disease can also be stimulated by flea saliva.

    Calicivirus

    • Calicivirus is the cause of upper respiratory infections in cats. It is transmitted through contact with other cats who are infected, as well as bedding, food and water dishes and litter boxes that have been used by an infected cat. Mouth sores are only one of the symptoms that is attributed to Calicivirus. A cat suffering from Calicivirus will also experience flu-like symptoms, such as runny eyes or nose, fever, lethargy and difficulty breathing. The illness usually lasts a week or two.

    Gingiva Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    • Gingiva Squamous Cell Carcinoma is mouth cancer that causes tumors to grow in your cat's mouth. While this condition can be found in young cats, it is more frequently found in cats around 10 years old or older. There is no known cause. The tumors caused by Gingiva Squamous Cell Carcinoma can spread to the bones in your cat's jaw, which can lead to disfigurement if part of your cat's jaw needs to be removed for treatment.

    What You Can Do

    • Bring your cat to its veterinarian immediately upon finding the mouth sores. The vet will conduct a series of examinations to determine whether the cause is bacterial, viral or something else. Most times, an antibiotic will be given, perhaps coupled with steroids if an allergy is suspected. If cancer is suspected, radiation or surgery may be necessary. No matter the cause, when your cat returns home, you will need to help it with daily activities that may be too painful at first. Switch hard food to soft and feed your cat small bites if it appears it is not eating. Return to the vet if your cat's condition does not improve with treatment.