Expert: Jessica - 3/17/2010

Question
My cat has a swollen neck, is lethargic, has a dry nose, and has the desire to eat/drink but is unable to due to the swelling. The swelling seemed to have occurred within a few hours of my cat getting out of the house. He seemed irritable at first and swatted at me when I tried to touch him. Now he could care less if I touch him. The swelling seems to be painful to the touch and has spread from one side of his neck to both sides. I am currently unable to afford a major vet expense.I have been unable to locate a vet that doesn't require a hefty down payment without surrendering my cat to foster care. What could this be? Is there any way I can care for him at home? Please Help! ~Concerned Mama~

Answer
Hi Sarah.  It sounds possible that this was caused by a crushing trauma around the neck, such as a dog bite, which does not always leave visible wounds.  The harsh reality is that there are PEOPLE who actually will choke cats if they can gets their hands on them, too.  Cats can get themselves into sticky situations while exploring in vegetation or other areas, as well.  One of my own cats just got tangled up in some wires, and I found her hanging by her neck unconcious.  Fortunately, I found her just in time to save her life.  Most of the time, these situations are relatively inexpensive to treat as long as the cat survives the initial trauma without causing any internal bleeding.  An injection of cortisone helps reduce inflammation so the cat can breathe easier, and an antibiotic may be helpful to prevent infection from setting in in case there is any tissue damage.  In most places, these only run about $20 each, and then you pay for the vet visit.  If you can swing this, I would strongly recommend it, since there is little you can do from home to help him feel better, and if he won't eat, things will go downhill quickly.

There also could be the possibility that your kitty ingested something that's causing swelling in the throat, and this may be a more serious matter, because his organs may become involved as the toxin passes through his system.  Most of the time, supportive care with IV fluids is recommended for cats who have swallowed toxins.  If the toxin can be identified, further steps may be taken.  There is little you can do from home for a kitty who's swallowed something poisonous.  I would talk to the vets about any possible assistance programs they offer for those who may not be able to afford a hospital stay for their kitty.  Many states have funds set up for those facing financial hardship, to help them pay for vet care.  Some animal hospitals offer interest-free financing.  

Occasionally a cat gets swollen glands due to an infection, and he fights it off.  Unfortunately, your kitty's symptoms sound quite severe, and I'm not sure what his chances of recovery are without any vet care, so I would encourage you to explore every option possible to try to get him in to a vet somehow.

Best of luck!

Jessica