My cat's lips have looked like this for almost 2 months

[Guest]

The prognosis is eosinophilic granulomatous complex with indolent ulcers.

I have been taking her every 2 weeks to the vet for the depo-medrol shot.

The vet says next week we may try something new.

Extra background info if needed: I went on a 2 week trip and found her like this when I got back.

She did have a pet sitter coming every day but apparently she was very distraught, I still feel horrible about this!! I noticed she was compulsively bathing herself and had created a lesion on her belly, which is now completely healed. My mom thought the lips were from her licking so much.



Any advice is appreciated! Thank you so much.

[Ashley]

Not sure if you have done this… but my cat had a issue like this and I felt so bad I didn’t notice until it was very bad… kept taking her to get the shots each month.

It was stressful for us both… I never googled but figured why not look into nutrition- I thought was doing the best (IAMS) changed that to a grain free- then to ACANA dry- it cleared all up.

Never had another bout of it.

Also, I now no longer feed dry at all unless it’s a treat or a few pieces for “hunting”.

I use a lot of make my own- raw- lightly cooked- and tiki cat classic only fancy feast and zero fish.

If I can help It.

Don't miss: Woke up and saw this on my dogs lip. Anyone have an idea of what it could be?

[Lizzie]

If you are going to try anything with diet, first of all do grain-free. Secondly, cats are frequently allergic to chicken and can develop this allergy at any point in their lives. Mine did at age 12!

Try a single protein diet that does not contain any chicken, chicken broth, eggs, or any other part of a chicken. My cat happens to love eating birds mostly, so she likes duck, quail, and turkey. They also have single protein diets available like beef, salmon, venison, rabbit.

To my knowledge a hydrolyzed diet just means that it’s easier on the stomach. But if it’s an actual food allergy, a hydrolyzed diet isn’t going to help much. Not to mention they pretty much all contain chicken, the #1 culprit.

Really hope you get to the bottom of this soon! That does not look fun for your poor kitty I definitely would get her off steroids. It sounds like you need a new vet/different opinion.

[Toniann]

Keep water bowl clean and use glass or porcelain.

[Jennifer]

Our boy does compulsive licking on his tummy a few times a year and the depo shot clears up any sore within several days.

Despite him being a super calm and happy cat otherwise, I don’t know why he does it- whether it’s an allergy or an allergy that later turned into a habit of licking…but that shot always does the trick. He’s never had a lip issue however!

Have you asked about food allergies?

Ours is on Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein. I’ll try to find a photo of his tummy from the last time and add.

Explore these too: Why does my cat have a lump on her bottom lip?

[Amy]

Your vet is on the right track. However, finding a better long term solution is advised since chronic steroid use come with its own set of issues.

[Kay]

Try adding lysine (available from chewy) to her diet.

[Ami-May]

Change all bowls to stainless steel and get rid of anything plastic. Clean with boiled cool salt water.

My cat used to get theese, did the above and she's not had one since x

Also, check out: My cat keeps refusing to poo and it's now been another six days with no action

[Collin]

Just dealt with my cat with this exact thing. Hers was so bad it was closing her Nostrils.

It’s exactly that or also called “Rodent Ulcer”.

I took her in and they gave her 2 shots.

3 days later and hers was Nesrly

Completely healed. They say it can return as it’s not 100% so it’s something to keep an eye on.

It can come from a few diff things..but my Cats healed VERY quickly. Hope she gets fixed up!!

Mine came from what we thought was a belly infection as well.

She had it for Months and it got REALLY bad to finally get her fixed.

[Ashaley]

Hey Melissa! My boy Tigger has had this for 11 years. He began getting Depo medrol shots every 2 weeks. Then it was monthly. Then he stopped responding to them.

He then got prescribed prednisilone. Full pill daily for a week, then half a pill daily for a week, then half a pill every other day. We did that for five years.

Stopped working. Went back on Depo medrol for a couple years, then started back on prednisilone and it’s been working. We’ve always had stainless or ceramic dishes.

Stainless water fountain and bowl.

Bowls cleaned regularly. My vet has never really had an answer for it. It began when he was three years old.

I found him outside and rescued him when he was two. The vet had wondered if he had possibly been vaccinated before I had him vaccinated and therefore double vaccinated within too close of a timeframe but… that was stated as a long shot. Stainless is definitely a big thing to change to as a start!

Don't forget to take a look at: My cat (who has always been a bit of a guts) in the last month or two has become SO obsessed with food

[Diane]

If that is from over grooming it will heal with time. Lips are delicate and can take months to heal.

I burnt mine in March and they are just finally healing now. They are similar to humans as they are mammals.

The lotions, creams, antibiotics etc made it worse.

I would use a lukewarm compress on them gently 3 times a day.