In cats, three diseases have been grouped in this complex. Oftentimes your cat's clinical symptoms and physical exam findings are enough for your vet to pinpoint what's going on. Avoid anything with pyrethrin as this is toxic for cats. Cats aged two years and below, as well as female kittens are the most affected by Rodent Ulcer. Cats may also get allergies from environmental pollutants and synthetic ingredients found used to make cat litter. They most commonly present on the upper lip but can also occur on the bottom lip, tongue, or behind a molar. The upper lip area is the most common place for sores to develop. In fact, in the world of pathology, indolent actually means non-painful and relatively benign. We know now that this is not true. © 2020 The Cat Dandruff Clinic. If your cat has an active flare-up, your vet may want to start them on a course of antibiotics. The first sign is a pink or yellow shiny patch, which later ulcerates and becomes darker in color. 1. This further implies that an impaired immune system may play a role in the formation of these types of ulcers. Just like dogs, cats can be allergic to certain animal proteins. 6 years ago. Cat Rodent ulcer is a thickened, red, and ulcerated sore most commonly found on the upper lip. Waking up to find that your cat suddenly has a red, angry-looking sore on their lip can certainly seem like a veterinary emergency. The name 'rodent ulcer' comes from an old, incorrect belief that these lesions were caused by the bite of a mouse or rat. They are part of a problem known as eosinophilic granuloma complex, which is a complicated way of saying that particular white blood cells called eosinophils have invaded the epithelial tissues. Indolent ulcer. Many cats do, but plastic can cause an allergic reaction in some cats (and dogs). Interdigital Cysts in Dogs. What are Rodent Ulcers in Cats? They seem to cause no pain. If anything, it can't be comfortable for your cat, right? Injection (Depo-medrol): Three courses given at two-week intervals. The exact cause is often never known but there is evidence that points to some cats having a predisposition to developing these types of ulcers. Treatment: Manage any underlying issues, such as fluid in the lungs, which commonly occurs, cleaning any wounds and antibiotics prescribed. Of the hypersensitive disorders, incriminated fleabite hypersensitivity is the most important, followed less commonly by atopic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity/intolerance. An Autoimmune Reaction: Some studies attribute the ulcers to an autoimmune reaction. Since rodent ulcers have a very distinct presentation, diagnosing them is pretty straightforward. You need to eliminate the *cause* to eliminate the symptom. As of right now, veterinarians tend to treat these ulcers based on three common causes: In some cases, rodent ulcers have been seen in cats that have been exposed to the feline leukemia virus. Since a hypersensitivity to ectoparasites (that is parasites that live outside the body, such as fleas and mosquitos) is a common cause of them, keeping your cat up to date on their flea and tick medication is a must. Progression to squamous cell carcinoma is extremely rare, although it can occur. Otherwise, keep your cat on flea and parasite prevention, make sure she is eating healthy, nutritious food, and aid her in her grooming. Image credit: RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician). Cortisone along with antibiotics has proven to be one of the most effective treatments. One of my cats had a rodent ulcer. Also, ensure that you are purchasing a product that is in the proper weight range for your cat. While there is no breed disposition for rodent ulcers, they tend to appear more often in female cats that are six years old or younger. Although rodent ulcers aren'tnormally painful, they are in a location that doesn't lend itself well to needle aspirates. This prevention should be given on time and year-round to prevent any lapse in coverage. If your cat shows up with a fat lip and she hasn’t been in a fistfight lately, she may have a rodent ulcer. Ingredients like corn, rice, lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, and wheat are what manufacturers use as the “sticky ingredient” to make … Thermal burns occur in the mouth when your cat eats something hot and electrical burns occur when your cat chews through an electrical cord, this type of injury occurs most in younger cats. Additionally, some cats seasonally present with rodent ulcers, similar to the way some people suffer from hay fever in spring or other portions of the year. //