Dead wasp on floor, kitten's mouth dripping

[anklebitersat11oclock]

Hiya, we found a dead wasp a couple of hours ago and wondered if our 8 month old kitten might have got it. Now I'm noticing that her mouth is dripping - one drip every few seconds. She doesn't seem distressed otherwise.

My plan is to just keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't develop any other symptoms, and see how she goes, rather than phone the vet. Sensible?

Is her mouth swollen? Is she drooling or is there blood?

I think the risk would be swelling to the throat, so keep a close eye and maybe phone the vet to ask their advice.

If it were me, I'd definitely take her to the vet. Or at the very least ring them.

Cats don't drool unless something's wrong.

Ring vet for advice

She's acting normally, and is eating. Doesn't mind being stroked around mouth, so not in obvious pain. Still dripping, so still keeping a close eye on her for now.

Hmm if you can ring the vet for advice, it seems likely the two are connected.

My cat had a flipping great growth in her mouth but still carried on eating as normal my point being that eating may not be a reliable indication of her being in pain or not.

can you have alook and see if there is any inflammation?

Unfortunately my vet doesn't give free advice over the phone - the receptionist will just tell me to bring her in, so it's a consultation or nothing.

She's less drippy this morning, and seems her usual self, so will continue to keep an eye on her for now.

Theo - if you have any pointers on how to get her to open her mouth I'd be pleased to hear them. That's one thing the vet manages to do easily, but I haven't got the knack yet!

This is why we can't afford a cat. It's the wanting to do the right thing but just being unable to afford to go to the vet for everything, because it's so blooming expensive these days.

It's no wonder pets are abandoned all the time. I'm not blaming vets but people really need to think when they get an animal.

Not having a go at you OP either - just musing. I think I'll start a thread.

PS if she can breathe and can eat then I expect she will be alright. (non vet, but those are the immediate dangers I think)

I'm with Psipsina, but keep a close eye on her.

Don't worry guys - she's fine now. No drooling.

I did check out advice on a few websites, and would certainly have taken her to the vet for unexplained drooling, but I was pretty sure I knew what had happened, and that it would be a temporary problem.

It's just like having a baby again though - never knowing whether you're doing the right thing - (except it's only your own time and money at risk rather than the NHS's).

I did take her to the vet when she had a tummy bug a month or so ago, and was given (or rather sold) 3 different medications, including antibiotics, which made me a little cynical. Presumably vets don't worry so much about the issues of over-prescription when they have a franchise mortgage to pay off!