What does a swollen head / neck in a cat mean?

Question

My 10 month old spayed/vaccinated (but not for leukemia) female indoor cat - for the 3rd time in two months has a swollen bump. This time the bump is on the neck just below the jaw. The first time her whole head swelled up, it looked like the elaphant man and we took her to the vet, got an anti-inflammatory shot and antibiotics and a few days later the swellen was gone. Incidentally, the vet thought it might have been from a bite from another car or an insect. I have ruled out the insects and the bits - because of how the swelling seems to move around. A month or so later, the swelling came back. It came as a bump over the eye and the areas below the eyes (like where the sinuses are) and then they seemed to kind of move around - where sometimes one part of the head was more swollen than another. Or it would go away in parts and arise in other parts. Anyone every seen this before? Since it seems to go away on its own, I haven't done anything else about it.

Answer 1

I would find another vet- There are many things that can cause swelling, and insect bites are one of them- but if it keeps coming back, that could be a sign of something else.

Find another vet- one that actually will do a little bit more to help your cat.

Answer 2

Well I'm not so sure about cats, but I had those symptoms for three weeks before it dawned on my doctor that I had a simple sinus infection. It was making my lymph nodes swell, and then I'd fight it off a bit, and then it'd happen again. That could be what's going on, it seems logical, but I just don't know.

I'd go back to the vet, or try another vet, perhaps on recommendation from your local cat rescue group or something.

Answer 3

If it didn't break the skin, you should be fine. Plus, very few feline diseases carry over to humans. As for the bite, cats are very aloof creatures. And they can go from loving you one second, to being annoyed with you the next. Most likely, he bit you becuase you were scratching too hard, in a place that hurt, or because it wasn't on his terms any more. Cats are just like that, stray or not. As for petting a homeless cat, the only thing you have to worry about may be fleas, but even this is rare. Just make sure you wash your hands before touching you mouth or eating, just as a safety precaution (strays often live in dumpsters, and you wouldn't touch a garbage can and then eat, right?)

Answer 4

Find yourself a new vet. A good vet that cares about the animal, and not just making money, will take the time to figure out what is wrong with your pet, rather than just giving it meds to relieve the symptoms.

Answer 5

Parts of the body may swell in response to injury, infection or disease, or because of an underlying lump. Swelling can also occur if the body is not circulating fluid well (especially ankle swelling). Generalized swelling from fluid retention is called edema. Lymph nodes may swell in response to infection (see swollen lymph nodes). Any type of swelling symptom needs prompt professional medical diagnosis.

Answer 6

A lot of the time swelling around the head and neck is from food allergies... have you tried changing the cats food? (If it's not from a bite... )

Answer 7

not sure, but my mom's cat was bitten by a rattlesnake about a year ago (below his eye) and he swelled up then and periodically he swells up, but then it goes away....our vet said he was pretty lucky....just check to see if your cat was bitten by any snakes or spiders (some spiders are very poisonous)

Answer 8

a trip to the vet

Answer 9

That you should take it to the vet NOW!

Answer 10

IT MEANS IT'S TIME TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND GO TO THE VET!