Cat pawing at mouth - running out of ideas!

ClaireTabitha

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.

In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.

We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.

We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.

This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.

2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.

We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.

She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.

Thanks so much.
 
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ClaireTabitha

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Hi, I've never heard of whisker stress, so off to google that now, however she loves having her cheeks rubbed and is not at all bothered by her whiskers being touched so not sure they are the problem.
Thanks!
 

lattiee

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Did they ever give your cat antibiotics and what teeth did the other vet remove ? As I know our cat who is also a rescue has ended up with stomatitis which led to him getting antibiotics and some steriods. He did end up getting a couple of teeth removed and got on antibiotics after that with steriods then also. When there is no signs of his stomatitis issue and he's pawing at the mouth like scratching the chin and sides of the mouth they inject him with an allergy shot which instead of like the steriod with antibiotics he gets a sterioid for allergies.
 
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ClaireTabitha

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Hello, they took out a top front one and a lower back one, not sure of the actual names of the teeth. She was given antibiotics for a week in case of infection.
I'm not totally following what you've said about your cat and allergy shots - do they think he is allergic to something which makes him paw at his face? Did you find that the allergy medicine made a difference?
Thank you!
 

lattiee

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Hello, they took out a top front one and a lower back one, not sure of the actual names of the teeth. She was given antibiotics for a week in case of infection.
I'm not totally following what you've said about your cat and allergy shots - do they think he is allergic to something which makes him paw at his face? Did you find that the allergy medicine made a difference?
Thank you!
Yes, when our cat was given allergy shots it helped him a lot when he was pawing at his face when it was not stomatitis related . We also found out that his allergies seem to come around winter or summer . So if it's really really cold or really hot he gets allergies.
 
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ClaireTabitha

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Thank you. Did he have any other symptoms or just the pawing?
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.

In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.

We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.

We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.

This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.

2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.

We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.

She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.

Thanks so much.
I'm assuming that since you went to the first vet for a thorough check, and then also to a veterinary dentist, etc., they took xrays of her mouth/jaw/neck/ head? And the radiologist(s) saw nothing of note in those?
 
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ClaireTabitha

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Hello, yes they did several xrays from lots of different angles and also an ultrasound. Nothing of note.
Thank you
 

MissClouseau

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To repeat allergies, maybe he's allergic to the material of the food bowl? Is it plastic usually that seems to be more common allergen among some cats. Or maybe what you clean the bowl with?

Did you change her food at any point during these and notice any difference? I wonder if there is any way this could be related to the food as well since originally it started after meals. Maybe the food leaves a bitter aftertaste? (Honestly this also doesn't sound likely to me either but worth to consider everything until you guys find the cause.)

I would also ask the vet if there could be anything x-ray could miss but another system like MRI wouldn't.
 
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ClaireTabitha

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Thanks, no I don't think so, same food and we've been using a china saucer in case her whiskers were bothering her but am going to have a good think about anything it could be. Thanks!
 

marilynr

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My 15+ year old male cat, AJ, started exhibiting pawing and chewing at his mouth at least a year ago. He has had several teeth removed over the years prior to this occurring. My vet did not seemed concerned as his dental exam was good. I researched the symptoms online and discovered Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome. My general practitioner vet had never heard of it and that was the end of that.

After my persistence over the next year, doing another dental exam on AJ, and attending a conference, she did become familiar with it and started AJ on Gabapentin. It didn't work so we doubled the dose - once in the morning and once at night. It has reduced the frequency of his mouth pawing and chewing. It still happens on occasion. He has never gotten to the point of mutilation of the tongue. So increasing the dosage of Gabapentin is something to look into. He is about a 15 pound cat and takes 100 mg in the morning and again at night.

The odd thing is, he only did this pawing and chewing action right before eating. I have to let his dry food soak in water for 20 minutes before he eats (due to another condition), so he doesn't get to eat right away. About half way through this 20 minute wait, he starts the pawing and chewing action. This didn't happen every single time, but frequent enough that I knew something was not right.

AJ is, otherwise, fine. He eats and drinks well.

I am not fond of giving my cats medication to control pain if you don't know where the pain comes from. There could be some underlying condition that needs to be addressed before it gets worse. And I'm not thrilled about having my cat anesthetized. I live in a city that is not large enough to have very many types of specialists, but I am going to go to another clinic and get a second opinion. They at least have someone who specializes in neurology and should be familiar with FOPS.

It may be a while, but I will provide an update on what I find out.
 

mishkathenebelung

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.

In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.

We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.

We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.

This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.

2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.

We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.

She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.

Thanks so much.

Hello,

I have been researching like crazy -

my 10 year old cat just started the same exact behavior. She has been diagnosed with gingivitis and the vet recommended I do a cleaning. The cleaning didn't take care of her swollen gum but she seemed to be somewhat okay with an occasional licking at the lips. Last week I took her upstate (as we usually do) except this time she got into a fight with a stray cat which of course put her under a lot of stress. I cleaned her up and she was shaken but seemed fine the next day. Two days later we came home and found her paws covered in blood and she began pawing at her mouth / tongue or gums - we still aren't sure what she's actually targeting. I immediately called the vet and she didn't do anything expect take a look at her gums and prescribe me liquid gabapentin to reduce anxiety / pain. I have read in a study they did on FOPS that it can be triggered by a traumatic event (like a cat fight) but I don't know for sure, and the vets all seem to dismiss the syndrome saying that it's too rare.

I am at a loss just like you for what this can be and I really don't want to take her to a specialist who will again put her under anesthesia at her age and most likely will not come to any conclusions. I have ordered her an oral mouth wash - which seems to trigger the pawing more so that didn't help. Now I ordered CBD drops, if this truly is the start of FOPS (Feline Orofacial Syndrome) I am hoping it will provide some relief - and help her actually eat something. If you have had any progress/diagnosis I would love to get some advice!
 

Antonio’s Abla

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.

In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.

We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.

We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.

This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.

2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.

We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.

She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.

Thanks so much.

My cat is doing exactly the same, have you found the cause?
 

fionasmom

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OP has not returned to TCS in almost 2 years, so I don't think you will receive a reply. You are welcome to start a thread about your own cat if you would like.
 

mishkathenebelung

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My cat is doing exactly the same, have you found the cause?
At this point after my cat was diagnosed with gingivitis and underwent a cleaning with no results. I think the tartar below the gum line is causing irritation and inflammation which is causing my cat to have a hard time chewing. I give her a mouth rinse which seems to relieve it temporarily and magic mouthwash. I have taken her to so many vets and now i'm scheduled to take her to a dental specialist but I think their only response is going to be to pull out all her teeth - they really have no solutions besides charge you 5k to just pull out teeth and hope for the best. It's frustrating that every time I bring her in she has 100 other problems that all require drastic surgeries or lifelong pills. It's starting to be just another business.
 

Alice2dn

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Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.

In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.

We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.

We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.

This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.

2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.

We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.

She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.

Thanks so much.
One of our Burmese cats suffers from mouth scratching, also known as feline orofacial syndrome- FOPS - and it seems to be an allergen trigger. We have been successful using antihistamines such as cetirizine and chlorphenamine maleate (piriton), sometimes in combination depending on the severity. Our vet advised this as well as dosage. He has 1 - 2 episodes per year and they subside within 30 min to 1h of getting antihistamines.
 
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