Cat swollen cheek

[TiddleTaddleTat]

Any ideas what it could be? Have just noticed one side of his head is swollen. He seems to be acting as usual.
I wondered if a wasp or bee sting, any other ideas?

Abscess. Probably a bite or scratch that has got infected and become an abscess.

Eek. That sounds nasty. Should I be calling the vet in the morning ?

Lots of things it could be. Abscess from a bite. Wasp or bee sting, as you say. Dental problem. Infected salivary gland. Salivary gland tumour. Okay, that last is unlikely, but not impossible, assuming cats keep their salivary glands in the same place as people.

Definitely one for the vet if it isn't on the mend come morning.

My girl had that. It was an abscess. It was quickly and easily treated at the vets.

One of mine had a large abscess on her face, we found it on a Saturday evening but she was well in herself, eating properly so we didn't call the vet. It burst the next day, messy, but she cleaned herself up and it healed in no time, no vet needed. Keep a close eye on him.

Agree it sounds like an abcess and needs vet treatment pronto.

One of my cats had this and it was an abscessed tooth. She had to have surgery.

I'll get on to the vets in the morning. Thinking it can't be a bite/scratch as there's no mark on the outside, he's not letting me get too near it but the skin seems very swollen and firm so thinking it's from the inside. Tried to look in when he's yawning but no luck!!

Just a warning. They can burst. So if he normally sleeps on the bed? 🤢

Haha ok thanks. Actually he doesn't sleep with us but does go into our room during the day. He seems to be enjoying some watered down tinned tuna, don't know if his usual dry biscuits could be difficult to eat

My girl had this. It was an abscess.

She'd got into a punch up with another cat. (Very out of character) and had also punctured her eye ball. Silly girl!

Could be a sting but equally could be in abscess (spelling?)

If it’s the later it could get very nasty so he needs to be checked by a vet.

I've tried to feel the swollen area a bit more this morning and there seems to be something sticking out of his cheek. Potentially another cat's claw (he's come home with a claw stuck in his eyelid before!!). When I fiddled with it a bit it started dripping pus...so infected wound/scratch seems about right

He's got very upset with me touching it... and has sloped off ... I will try again when he comes back. On these hot days he's been out all day hiding somewhere cool and shady

If you can I would get him in and keep him in until you’ve got to the vet.

@Wolfiefan

If you can I would get him in and keep him in until you’ve got to the vet.

Ditto. House arrest until he sees the vet is the best plan. Cats can go downhill very quickly with abscesses (e.g. sepsis), although that's 'worst case' so don't panic - mine has had loads and always been fine with home treatment (if I can) or veterinary treatment with antibiotics etc. if it's necessary. If it was my cat with an abscess on the jaw that's not burst, I'd be taking to the vet... I'd be wanting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for the pain (that's gotta hurt)!

Ok thanks I will try and find him ...

Appreciate everyone's advice, he's on his way to the vet now. They thought the cause was probably a bite from another cat and he needs anti inflammatories and antibiotics . Poor baby

If it's any consolation, you will have made the vets day. Spurty pus is the best thing ever.

The vet has shaved his cheek and given him an antibiotic injection that apparently lasts 2 weeks. £65. I hope he doesn't get bloody bitten again. Poor lamb, he's only little and seems to be attacked all the time.

Glad you got him sorted and hope he's on the mend soon.

If he gets attacked a lot, maybe consider keeping him inside overnight? Of course, you might already do this.