The color of a cat's tongue can reveal a lot about your pet's health problems. If the owner notices that the cat’s tongue has turned blue, you should contact a veterinary clinic and undergo an examination of the cardiovascular system, as well as pulmonary work. It should be understood that blueness of the lips, tongue, gums and oral mucosa indicates a lack of oxygen. Dangerous and serious diseases include pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and heart disease. All these diseases can cause death, so it is very important to start health restoration therapy in a timely manner.
Symptoms
Symptoms of jaundice in cats are not always pronounced.
Icterus is observed in the area of mucous membranes (the tunica albuginea of the eye, mouth, vagina), as well as on the skin where there is not a large amount of hair (ears, abdomen). In addition to the yellow tint on the skin and mucous membranes, the following signs are observed in liver diseases: Other signs may also appear, especially if the jaundice goes away for a long time without appropriate treatment. Dysfunction of other internal organs against the background of hemolytic, mechanical or parenchymal jaundice leads to the appearance of severe symptoms of general malaise. The accumulation of toxic substances that are not excreted by the liver and kidneys leads to brain damage (in advanced cases).
In what cases should you contact a veterinarian?
Black dots and spots on the cat's face and mouth (on the tongue and gums), even if they are just acne or moles, are a sufficient reason to contact a veterinarian. Any change in the skin creates a hotbed for bacterial or fungal infections, and only a specialist can exclude serious diagnoses with similar symptoms.
Timely treatment avoids complications and supports the cat’s immune system in the fight against infectious diseases. Even such a terrible diagnosis as melanoma is not a death sentence. If detected in the early stages, surgical removal and consolidation of the result with chemotherapy is possible.
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Causes of red spots
The characteristic spotting on the surface of the tongue can be accompanied by severe discomfort and pain. In this regard, it is quite difficult for the cat to take food and water; it may completely refuse to eat and drink. These actions will lead to exhaustion and dehydration, which is extremely dangerous not only for the health of the pet, but also for life. Loss of fluid of more than 10% of the total mass causes cell death, which leads to death. If the pet does not drink on its own during the day, you need to give it a drink through a syringe without a needle or from a pipette. To avoid severe consequences, it is recommended to go to the clinic from the first days and begin recovery therapy. Among the reasons why a red spot forms on a cat’s tongue are the following factors:
- Glossitis is inflammation caused by infection;
- Calcivirosis is a viral disease;
- Herpes is a pathology of a viral nature and is very dangerous for the cat’s body;
- Actinomycosis is an infection that manifests itself in cats as red spots on the surface of the tongue;
- Pathologies localized in the liver;
- Kidney failure manifests itself as dark red spots on the tongue of cats;
- Violation of metabolic processes in the body;
- Diabetes;
- Stomatitis;
- Tissue swelling;
- Mechanical damage during a fight or eating, such as bones;
- Poor care and inadequate nutrition may also cause similar symptoms.
Is it humane to euthanize a pet?
The question of the necessity and humanity of euthanasia in relation to a dying cat is decided by its owner. It is very difficult to decide to euthanize your pet, almost a family member.
The arguments for resolving this problem are:
- incurability of the disease;
- the suffering the animal experiences;
- the inevitability of painful death.
Euthanasia will help reduce the time of agony and make the process of leaving the cat quick and painless.
You can refuse this procedure in favor of taking strong painkillers. In this case, the cat will not feel pain, but will remain unconscious until the very end.
In modern veterinary clinics, animals are euthanized for health reasons and with the consent of the owner. First, the cat is given anesthesia and falls asleep. Then a drug is injected that stops breathing and heart function.
More serious problems
Thus, a cat's tongue can be a real "barometer" of health. A change in color is an indicator that your cat may be sick. You can remember a simple truth: “A pink tongue is a healthy pet.”
This rule is immutable; exceptions are very rare.
Why is that? The fact is that the tongue, as a muscular organ, is literally penetrated by many blood vessels, visible through the thin epithelial layer. If it is pink, everything is in order - the blood supply is normal, the red blood cells contain the required amount of hemoglobin. In many cases, a white tongue is a sign of poor oral hygiene.
, but below we will describe much more serious pathologies in which this organ also changes its color.
How to come to terms with loss
Coming to terms with the loss of a four-legged friend is not easy. It’s hard to accept the idea that your pet is dead and will never run out to meet you or jump into your lap. If you want to cry, you don’t have to restrain yourself: tears ease the severity of loss.
Important! This technique will help you cope with the bitterness of loss: you need to remember only the positive moments and funny episodes from the life of your departed pet. Then sadness will turn into light sadness.
Many families are hesitant to get cats again because they do not want to experience the grief of loss. But time passes, and a little fluffy ball appears in the house: it explores unfamiliar territory, climbs onto the sofa, and settles on the shoulder. No one can replace a departed friend, but it is important to understand that life goes on. It is wonderful if a person can become a family for a cat that needs warmth and care.
Why does a cat stick out its tongue?
This happens quite often, as a rule, if the cat licked its fur before, or after sleep. A small part of the tongue remains protruding from the mouth. This is normal and nothing to worry about - the cat simply forgot to put her tongue back.
In cats with short jaws, such breeds as, or
Dark spots and dots on the tongue and lips of cats are a consequence of hyperactivity of the cells that secrete the pigment responsible for skin tone. Fluffy pets are prone to pigmentation. Black spots on a cat's tongue can appear from birth. In this case, the tongue can be either highly pigmented or weakly, with barely noticeable spots. Pigmentation can spread to the nose, oral mucosa and lips. This phenomenon is absolutely harmless and does not require treatment.
Black dots that suddenly appear on a cat’s tongue are a consequence of the activity of the cells responsible for skin color. Due to increased pigment production, some areas of the mucous membrane become darker in color. This phenomenon is not dangerous, regardless of whether it is acquired pigmentation or the cat has had spots since birth.
Age spots can form as you age. If a cat is prone to such formations, dark spots appear before the age of three. If the animal does not have a tendency to pigmentation, the tongue and nose can remain clean throughout its life.
Many owners mistake black spots on the tongue for symptoms of a fungal infection. Candidiasis and other dermatological diseases of the mucous membranes and skin in cats are manifested by the formation of light spots and dots, but not dark ones. Pigmentation does not cause discomfort. When dark spots appear, the pet’s behavior does not change, appetite does not suffer, and in general there is no cause for concern.
Interestingly, pigmentation in cats is often hereditary and appears in animals with dark fur and dark paw pads. In light cats, white or red with pink paws, pigmentation is very rare.
Household application of research results
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology intend to patent the results of their work for further use in everyday life. This knowledge can be useful for developing new brushes and other equipment for cleaning wool surfaces (carpets, clothes, etc.), as well as for caring for human hair and animal hair.
According to scientists, recently the global industry that creates cleaning products has been devoting more time to developing new washing liquids than upgrading brushes. Cleaning products most often contain toxic substances, which, directly or indirectly, can harm health and the environment by settling in water and soil. At the same time, brushes, even those made of plastic, have a long service life and are less toxic compared to household chemicals. Copying the unique structure of a cat's tongue can be used to create new devices for cleaning difficult wool or fabric surfaces.
In addition, the principle of penetration of papillae into the deep layers of the coat can be used to develop objects that allow the delivery of drugs to the skin through thick fur or hair (without shaving this area). It can be used medically in the treatment of dermatological diseases in both humans and animals.
Alexis Noel and her colleagues have already demonstrated a new product - TIGR (tongue-inspired grooming). It is a brush with two rows of teeth imitating the papillae of a cat's tongue. The brush was created using a 3D printer. Soft teeth allow you to comb human hair gently and effortlessly, even with tangled strands. Also, the brush successfully untangles knots made from artificial and natural threads. Thus, such a product can be used, among other things, in the textile industry.
What causes black spots on the tongue of cats?
Dark spots and dots on the tongue and lips of cats are a consequence of hyperactivity of the cells that secrete the pigment responsible for skin tone. Fluffy pets are prone to pigmentation.
Black spots on a cat's tongue can appear from birth. In this case, the tongue can be either highly pigmented or weakly, with barely noticeable spots. Pigmentation can spread to the nose, oral mucosa and lips.
This phenomenon is absolutely harmless and does not require treatment.
Pigmentation in cats
Black dots that suddenly appear on a cat’s tongue are a consequence of the activity of the cells responsible for skin color. Due to increased pigment production, some areas of the mucous membrane become darker in color. This phenomenon is not dangerous, regardless of whether it is acquired pigmentation or the cat has had spots since birth.
Age spots can form as you age. If a cat is prone to such formations, dark spots appear before the age of three. If the animal does not have a tendency to pigmentation, the tongue and nose can remain clean throughout its life.
Interestingly, pigmentation in cats is often hereditary and appears in animals with dark fur and dark paw pads. In light cats, white or red with pink paws, pigmentation is very rare.
Pellagra
A disease caused by a lack of vitamin PP and B6 is called pellagra. In cats, this pathology is quite rare and is associated with a monotonous diet. In most cases, hypovitaminosis occurs in animals that eat low-quality dry food in a low price segment.
The composition of such feeds is not balanced and does not always meet the needs of the animal’s body for certain vitamins.
Pellagra can also be encountered by street animals that do not have a regular diet and eat whatever they can find.
Often cats taken from the street suffer from hypovitaminosis, and the owners cannot immediately understand the reason for the lethargy and drowsiness of their furry pet, as well as dark spots on the tongue.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment is carried out by adjusting the diet. It is recommended to purchase special vitamin supplements for cats, depending on the age of the pet. If the cat eats natural food, the following products should be introduced into the diet:
- liver;
- kidneys;
- sea fish;
- milk;
- carrot.
These products are rich in vitamin PP and quickly eliminate its deficiency. To achieve the best effect, it is necessary to combine a therapeutic diet with taking special vitamin supplements. The recommended dosage of vitamins PP and B6 is up to 5 mg per kilogram of pet weight.
Coated tongue
Quite often, black spots on a cat’s tongue go away after eating or drinking water. In this case, we are talking about the usual plaque that appears when eating dark-colored food.
Often, a coating on the tongue is discovered after the cat plays with some dark-colored objects. Dots on the tongue may remain if the animal has chewed plastic or painted wood.
Particles of dye get clogged between the papillae on the tongue and the appearance of dark dots and spots is created.
Owners should be concerned if a dark coating forms on the pet’s lips and nose, and there is also a pronounced putrid odor from the cat’s mouth. In this case, it is recommended to show the animal to a veterinarian and examine the oral cavity. Possible causes include dental disease, gum inflammation and bacterial stomatitis.
Communicating with facial expressions
This type of communication can include, for example, the fact that a pet greets its owner, begs for food, or expresses protest. The language of cats is an amazing lexicon. In each individual case, the purr produces corresponding sounds that differ in tone, strength or timbre. Note that the state of pain, aggression and fear is accompanied by lower sounds, and complacency and satisfaction are accompanied by high ones.
If you know a little about the language of cats, you can understand their psychology. For example, purring means that the pet is not aggressive. With this trill, mother cats call their kittens. These animals also purr when the owner returns home.
Rumbling is a warning sound to others. Low is a sign that the cat is ready to defend itself. Snorting and hitting the ground with a paw is a signal for a fight with a more serious enemy.
Another interesting sign that a cat gives is the chattering of its teeth. This signal can be seen when it sees prey.
Meowing is conversation. however, the cat uses it very rarely when it wants to go out or eat.
How to understand the language of cats? Simple, if you know her facial expressions. The entire arsenal of cat gestures is innate. The half-closed eyes of a cat signify relaxation and tranquility. Wide eyes indicate concern.
If the environment frightens the cat. Looking point blank is a challenge, and the same thing is meant. If she looks to the side, then this is how she shows submission.
Now let's look at their meaning. The tail is particularly expressive. If it is raised up, then the animal is friendly. Remember how kittens' tails stand. Of course, upward, because they are just learning about the world, they are interested in everything new. If a cat is scared, its tail is between its paws. Fluffy is a symbol of an aggressive attitude.
Dominant cats have their tails held high, while subordinate cats have their tails lowered. If a pet knocks on the floor with it, then it becomes angry. When the tail moves quickly from side to side, this is a sign of severe aggression. Lightly waving the tip of the tail means the cat is relaxed.
Diagnosis and treatment
Although pigmentation in most cases is not dangerous, you should take your pet to the veterinarian. He will establish the exact cause using a visual examination, laboratory tests, and examination of the mucous membrane for bacterial contamination. Treatment:
- With acne, it is enough to get rid of the cause that caused the rash. The animal's condition will return to normal.
- Lentigo is a congenital manifestation, so no treatment is required.
- For fungal diseases, antiseptics are prescribed for rinsing (Stomadex, solutions of Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, furatsilin) and antifungal agents (potassium iodide, Clotrimazole, Amphotericin).
- Mycoplasmosis - therapy consists of restoring the immune system, giving antibiotics (Ofloxacin, Azithromycin), treating the oral cavity (Ribotan, Cycloferon). Probiotics and Feliferon injections can be prescribed.
- Oncological diseases often remain untreated.
For any reason, it is mandatory to include vitamin-mineral complexes in the diet.
Possible diseases
Quite often, cats have black spots in and around the mouth. Often their appearance is associated with a genetic predisposition and does not cause any inconvenience to the pet. But in some cases, these spots indicate an incipient pathology. Therefore, if you find dark spots on your cat’s tongue, you need to visit a veterinarian.
Lentigo
Lentigo is a genetic disorder in cats that results in dark, freckle-like spots. Lentigo can appear on the lips, gums, and tongue. As they spread, the spots may also appear around the edges of the cat's eyes or on the eyelids. Lentigines can sometimes be found in the ears and even on the pads of the feet.
The main symptom of lentigo is single or multiple brown or black spots. They should not cause itching or other discomfort to the cat. The skin or mucous membrane around the spots should not be inflamed. The spot size can be from 1 to 10 mm. If the spots differ from this description, then such lesions should be shown to a veterinarian. Because this could already be a malignant neoplasm.
Lentigo is purely cosmetic and does not cause problems for your cat and does not require treatment.
Cat acne usually looks like black rashes, pimples, or small pimples. They are located on the chin and lower lip, near the mouth. Most often, acne is chronic.
Causes of acne:
Compliance with the listed rules is essential both for the prevention and during the treatment of acne. You can get rid of black spots on the face using folk methods using warm lotions with tincture of medicinal herbs (chamomile, celandine, yarrow).
To treat severe acne, for example, if redness appears around the acne, inflammation and pustules form, ointments and preparations with salicylic acid are used. Only a veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Fungus
Fungal diseases in cats are rare. They occur due to the development of fungi with reduced immunity. Therefore, such symptoms of this disease appear in kittens, cats, weakened after surgery, and elderly pets.
Symptoms of fungus: the appearance of crusts, spots and blackening of the tongue. There are no specific signs of fungal infection.
Oncological diseases
Oncology most often develops in older cats. It appears in the form of dots and black spots on the mucous membrane and gums, which is a sign of a malignant formation - melanoma. In more severe cases, dark spots are metastases that have spread to the oral area from organs affected by the tumor.
Oncology in cats is rare, but if the veterinarian finds spots of malignant origin, surgical treatment is prescribed.
Papillomavirus
Kittens that have not yet reached the age of 6 months often develop black spots on the tongue and inside of the cheeks, similar to voluminous birthmarks with a flat top. These spots are called oral papillomas or warts. Papillomas should be removed, as they can cause pain when eating.
Since these formations can easily be confused with a cancerous tumor, diagnosis and treatment are carried out only under the supervision of a veterinarian. Most often, antiviral drugs are prescribed, which are taken in a course. Sometimes animals are given a special vaccine, with the help of which they develop immunity to the papilloma virus for a long time.
Pellagra
Pellagra is a disease caused by a lack of vitamins B6 and PP. In cats, it is associated with a uniform diet. Most often it occurs in animals whose diet consists of low-quality industrial feed. Pellagra is quite rare in pets.
Symptoms of pellagra: black spots in the mouth, sometimes spots on the tongue, nose and ears. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to consult a veterinarian, since plaque on the nose and ears can be the result of a tick bite, and spots on the tongue can be congenital pigmentation.
Avitaminosis
Black spots on a cat's tongue can occur due to a lack of vitamin B2. This is caused by an unbalanced diet or consumption of economy-class feed. If a cat has dark spots in its mouth, eats poorly, sleeps a lot and loses a lot of hair, you can add dry brewer's yeast, sprouted grains of buckwheat, peas and corn, unboiled cow's milk, egg white, and dandelion leaves to its diet.
When feeding ready-made dry food, you may need to additionally introduce a B complex of vitamins. But this should only be done with the permission of a veterinarian.
What to do after the death of an animal
Despite the pain of loss, the owner of the deceased cat has urgent matters to complete. If a cat dies on the street or at home, you need to bury it yourself. This can be done on your own property, in the forest or in an animal cemetery.
Cats that die in veterinary hospitals are buried by special services. The owner pays for the service, says goodbye to the pet and leaves the body in the hospital.
Diseases that cause cats to stick out their tongues
A protruding tip of the tongue appears due to various diseases. These include swelling of the larynx, allergies, and inflammation of the mouth. A protruding tongue appears due to:
- jaw injuries;
- cardiovascular failure;
- disorders in the functioning of the brain;
- nervous diseases, stress;
- traumatic brain injuries;
- high temperature;
- muscle atrophy;
- dental diseases;
- disturbances in breathing or functioning of the salivary glands.
The cat cannot move its tongue after anesthesia. The mouth closes completely only after a day. Wounds in the mouth area prevent you from removing your tongue. If this phenomenon is accompanied by cough, vomiting, diarrhea or intestinal disturbances, then the cause is most likely poisoning.
If the tip of a cat's tongue sticks out, there can be many reasons for this, and most of them do not indicate disease. Some pets, realizing that the owners are touched and give something tasty, repeat the trick several times on purpose.
Causes
A cat's tongue is a multifunctional organ that allows it to eat and drink from a spoon, as well as keep its fur clean. Normally, the color of the organ should be pink and clear. Thus, any deviations in the body appear precisely on its surface. Organ disease immediately affects the quality of nutrition. The animal ceases to receive the required amount of food and water, and, accordingly, nutrients, since pain simply does not allow eating and drinking. Among the reasons why a white coating appears on a cat’s tongue are:
- Stomatitis. A fairly common disease among cats. Manifested by whitening of the surface. The gums and tongue become swollen. Painful ulcers appear. There is inflammation of the throat and the entire mucous membrane of the oral cavity. The animal has difficulty opening its mouth, and there is significant difficulty in taking food and water. The pet is losing weight. The condition of the coat noticeably deteriorates. There is general lethargy and malaise. Exhaustion and dehydration may occur, which is extremely dangerous and requires immediate assistance;
- Glossitis. Very often, an infectious disease is diagnosed in cats. Pathogens cause severe inflammation and swelling of the organ. When the mucous membrane begins to peel off, a whitish coating is observed. The spines on the surface of the tongue disappear. The organ becomes covered with ulcers, which are very painful. The wool takes on a wet appearance. A clean-loving animal simply cannot clean its hairs due to pain. The disease requires immediate assistance from a veterinarian;
- Gingivitis also manifests itself as a whitish coating. Since inflammation occurs on the surface of the gums, first of all you can notice deviations on them, and then on the tongue;
- Tartar. The disease occurs at the initial stage with a characteristic change in the color of the tongue tissues. To remove the symptom, you can use a weak water-salt solution, which must be used to treat both the teeth and the organ itself. An analogue can be baking soda. Such treatment will prevent serious consequences;
- Gastritis. The characteristic white color can be seen on the root of the organ. The inflammatory process on the gastric mucosa occurs with darkening of the root, but such plaque can only be noticed during the period of exacerbation of the pathology;
- Fungal diseases. They are considered very dangerous illnesses. If you do not start timely treatment, your pet may be in serious danger. The most common is oral candidiasis. Among the main symptoms is a very foul odor from the mouth. The fungus very often torments cats that have been treated for a long time with antibiotics or non-steroidal drugs;
- Chemical substances. Cats are very curious, so chemicals in the house should be kept out of reach. Some substances cause burns and poisoning, and dangerous compounds upon contact with the surface of the tongue cause a change in its color.
Natural "refrigerator"
A cat's tongue is simply indispensable in hot weather. By licking the surface of the fur coat, the purr reduces the air gap between the skin and the surface of the fur, thereby promoting better cooling of the body. When it becomes completely unbearable, the animal sticks out its tongue and begins to breathe quickly. Moisture evaporating from the surface of the tongue helps further reduce body temperature.
The cat has a multifunctional taste organ. It differs from a dog's in its roughness. No wonder V. Dahl called it a grater in his “Explanatory Dictionary”. Roughness is due to its specific structure. If you examine the tongue close up, you will notice many sharp tubercles that cover the entire area of the cat's organ. These irregularities are called “capillary papillae” and provide great assistance to the animal in maintaining personal hygiene.
Causes of blue tongue in cats
The language takes on unnatural shades due to a number of diseases. One of the causes of cyanosis may be congenital heart disease. The color of a cat's tongue changes after a fall from a great height, chest injuries, dog bites, or inflammation. Other reasons:
- pneumothorax - filling of the sternum with air;
- hydrothorax is an accumulation of fluid in this area.
In both cases, the cat feels a lack of air. The lungs may stop functioning on the right or left side - partially or completely. If the processes of pneumo- and hydrothorax do not stop, the tongue takes on an increasingly blue tint, and the animal dies from an attack of suffocation.
Cyanosis (blue tongue in a cat) can develop in minutes or over several days. At the same time, the shade becomes more and more saturated. In this case, frequent breathing is observed (the animal’s mouth is open at this time) and shortness of breath. Cyanosis can also be caused by:
- Diaphragmatic hernia, when the membrane in the peritoneum ruptures and organs fall into the chest. Due to the displacement, the lungs do not receive enough oxygen. This can be determined by examining the cat's tongue; the surrounding mucous membranes also turn blue.
- Infectious peritonitis or FIP, viral leukemia (aka lymphosarcoma). In these conditions, fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, and the animal’s tongue turns blue.
- Pulmonary edema is one of the most dangerous diseases. In addition to cyanosis, there is constant severe shortness of breath and anxiety.
- Asthma is accompanied by worsening breathing and coughing. Blue tongue and respiratory failure appear in severe forms of the disease.
Often the cause of dark blue, almost black spots can be normal pigmentation. However, it can be congenital. The spots increase in size with age. More often, fluffy and red cats are susceptible to this defect. Over time, bluish spots may acquire a brownish tint.
The alarm should only be raised when there are additional negative signs - refusal to eat, lethargy, apathy, etc. However, you cannot do anything with the animal yourself; in any condition it must be shown to a veterinarian.
Stages of death
Death is not an instant, but a process that gradually turns off the body, passing it through the following stages:
- Preagonia - loss of consciousness, cessation of blood circulation, pallor and cyanosis of the skin. This stage can last from several minutes to an hour.
- Terminal pause (preagonia). Breathing practically stops, pressure drops to zero. The oculomotor reflex disappears.
- Agony. Characterized by a lack of consciousness and tactile sensitivity. Breathing may resume and blood pressure may rise. Convulsions may occur.
- Clinical death. Complete stop of all vital processes. When carrying out resuscitation measures, it is possible to “start up” the cat’s body. The duration of the period is about 8 minutes.
- Biological death. This stage is irreversible and is characterized by the complete cessation of all physiological processes in the cat.
Language structure
The feline organ consists of many muscle fibers that allow vertical, horizontal movements, extension and downward bending. On top is the mucous membrane. Under a microscope, hardened protrusions are visible across the entire surface of the tongue, which are inclined towards the pharynx. Numerous capillaries are visible through the outer shell, covered with a protective substance keratin. The muscle also contains short, thin projections on which receptors are located for detecting the three basic tastes - bitterness, sourness and saltiness. Whether a pet can distinguish sweetness is unknown, because the processes responsible for recognizing this flavor have not been found in cats.
Swallowing objects
The reason why cats have a rough tongue is their tendency to swallow various inedible objects. Everyone noticed the animal’s love for Christmas tree tinsel, laces and other hanging objects.
This all happens because, due to the structure of the tongue, a cat, having taken an object into its mouth, can no longer get rid of it. And the only option they have is to swallow the object. The papillae of the tongue simply push the object deep into the digestive tract.
This situation is not always harmless. For example, cats love to swallow needles. The animal is interested in the thread on the needle. During the game it turns out that it is not separated from the tongue. It becomes simply impossible to remove the thread. Due to the direction of the papillae and swallowing movements, the thread gradually moves deeper into the pharynx, carrying the needle with it.
