GotoAID Cats - Tongue Swelling

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Tongue Swelling

Tongue swelling may occur as the result of an allergic reaction such as from an insect sting to the tongue. Other causes of tongue swelling may include entrapped foreign bodies, injuries to the tongue, and oral tumors. It is important to give first aid and seek a veterinarian immediately to diagnose the root problem.

Symptoms

Trouble Breathing	Swelling
Drooling	Difficulty Eating
No Appetite

Steps

Offer ice water, or ice cubes to lick

If you can do so without being bitten open her mouth and shine a flashlight over the surface of the tongue too see if there is any foreign object

If there is a small object like a thorn or grass seed, use gauze to hold your cat's tongue and then remove the object with a blunt tipped tweezers

If there is a string tied around the tongue or present in the mouth, DO NOT remove it, because it could be anchored within the intestinal tract

If the swelling is from contact with a chemical or burn, then flush the tongue for 3-5 minutes with cool water. (When flushing the tongue out, try to keep your cat’s head level and avoid tilting it up and backwards.)

If your believe the swelling is due to an allergic reaction from an insect bite and your cat develops facial swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing, give an average-sized cat (e.g., 10 pounds) 2 mg of Benadryl® every 12 hours