Cat Lock jaw...............??????

Question

What are the symptoms of a cat with lock jaw? My at just recently started acting strangely. It started yesterday when she came in from her morning outside. She reeked of something dead. She was VERY listless. She was making a moaning meow sound. And she keeps swallowing. I also just realized her jaw is tight and she is giving me a hard time trying to open her mouth. Her eyes are also slightly watery.

We took her to the vet today and he said he just thinks it's an upper respiratory infection. He gave her some fluids and antibiotics. She seems to be more alert but is still not eating or drinking.

Could it be lock jaw?

Answer 1

Cats don't typically get "lock jaw" or TMJ.  They just aren't physiologically susceptible to it.  Their jaw is set up differently than a human's jaw is.

If your vet said URI (upper respiratory infection), chances are the vet is correct.  

Another possible reason is an abscess either caused from a bad tooth or a cat bite, but if your vet did a thorough exam I'm sure those have been ruled out.

Answer 2

symptons are......their jaw is locked