Cat swallowing a lot

[MickeysMommy]

Mickey has been swallowing a lot. I grew concerned after a week and took him to the vet. He couldn't see anything wrong orally however, my cat turns into Cujo the minute the vet walks into the room. He did his best to look into his mouth, feel around by his throat, took his temp all was ok. He's eating and using his litter box normally. The doc gave him an antibiotic shot thinking maybe he just had a sore throat. He seemed to be a little better but then it started again.

Anyone ever have this happen? It's quite noticeable to see. Someone suggested maybe he picked up an allergy and does have a sore throat. Allergies are crazy up here right now for everyone. Could this just be a habit he picked up when he actually had a sore throat?

I'm a a loss

 

[Pea-n-Me]

He may need evaluation by an ENT vet.

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/mouth/c_ct_difficulty_swallowing

 

[Wishing on a star]

Is your kitty eating normally? A normal amount? Or are they showing some discomfort about eating?

Here is what you might do...
We had this happen to a cat, a long time ago.
It got worse, and we took him to the Vet. By that time, it was obvious that something was very wrong.

Our vet, thank goodness, knew just what it might be.
He immediately bypassed any issues with ferocious cujo cat claws by putting our cat under. Then he layed them out, put a little 'vice' into her mouth to hold her jaws open, and pulled a HUGE blade of grass out of what is like their upper-secondary palate. Problem solved immediately. Kitty like new again.

The poor kitty must have been in such pain. a big blade of grass like that can be sharp!!!

If you think it might be an issue like this with their upper-secondary palate, go back, or go to a new vet, that will be willing/happy to put the cat under to investigate more thoroughly.

 

[MickeysMommy]

No, he is eating normally. And I've watched him when he eats, he doesn't tilt his head or anything. I'm probably watching him too much but it's so crazy. Everything else is normal except for the swallowing.

 

[tasha99]

My cat does this. We took her to the vet (about a year ago) and she sent xrays for a second opinion. She looked in kitty's throat while she was knocked out, too. My opinion is it's reflux or some form of esophageal dysfunction, because I often hear something coming back up, and she frantically starts swallowing. There's a condition called "megaesophagus" but the vet specifically said that's not it.

Odd, because I work with patients who have difficulty swallowing. Very audible swallow sometimes as well, that gets worse with emotion (I feel guilty petting her because she gets sooo happy, and then is worse). We're moving to a more moderate size town, and they have "cat only" vets there. I will probably take her in for a third opinion. Steroids help, but I give far less than prescribed as they made her gain tons of weight.

 

[SharonZ]

To be on the safe side, I would have blood work done on Mickey. Excessive swallowing can be a symptom of thyroid issues.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Thank you all for your replies. If it's still going on Monday I'm going to call again. I called the beginning of this week and left a message that he was the same after the antibiotic but didn't get a call back.

He's my one and only baby and at 15 I want to make sure he's well cared for for as long as possible

 

[epcotfan]

Swallowing like that is usually a symptom of acid reflux or ulcerations. Your cat needs bloodwork done to determine if there are kidney or thyroid issues. I've had two cats with renal failure and one of the major symptoms is swallowing/gulping/vomiting. It can be treated with a combination of acid reducers such as Zantac. Sulcrate is a liquid that coats and heals ulcerations. Ask your vet about both. The combination of both remedies has helped the cats I've had with issues.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I called this morning and made an appt with his regular vet for Monday. We didn't see him this last time so hopefully we can get to the bottom of it. Thanks again for all the insight.

 

[Mad Cat lady]

My cat did this and after extensive blood tests was diagnosed with pancreatitis

 

[AgentMama]

My cat did this and after extensive blood tests was diagnosed with pancreatitis

This thread is 5 years old...

 

[mom2rtk]

Dang. I was hoping there would be an explanation.

 

[JaxDad]

Maybe something had its tongue...