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Cats/Sores
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Question
Just yesterday I noticed that my cat has these red sores on her lip. Right @ the corner on both sides of her mouth. Today one looks better, but the other one has gotten a little bigger and seems to be clear in the middle.
Should I just take he into the vet to have them looked at or is there something I can try to help them go away safely?
Thanks,
Stephanie.
Stephanie,
My recommendation would be to have this kitty evaluated by a vet because while it's possible that your kitty has a relatively minor issue such as chin acne (caused by kitty eating and drinking out of plastic dishes) it's also possible that her symptoms point to something more serious that has the potential to be a longer term issue such as auto-immune conditions or viral infections like feline leukemia and FIV which are both somewhat similar to HIV/AIDS in people (don't worry even if your kitty does have feline leukemia or FIV these viruses can't be passed on to people). If you want to seek out alternative treatments (which are often gentler and in some cases more effective than traditional medicine) then you'll want to seek out the advice of a holistic vet trained in the use of alternative therapies ranging from homeopathy, herbal medicine and acupuncture to massage, veterinary chiropractic care and different light wave therapies. Today the world of veterinary medicine is an incredibly exciting field - in many cases anything that can be done in terms of conventional or alternative medicine for people can also be done for pets, all you'd need to do is to find a holistic vet that you're completely comfortable with. If you have any further cat related questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me again, I'd be more than happy to help you out to the best of my ability.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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