oreos swollen cheek

[boobookitty]

my sisters beloved cat oreo has a swollen left cheek. it didnt look too bad until she came home from work today and found not only her cheek swollen, but a small ring of fur missing on the swollen spot! she isnt acting sick at all, shes eating and using the litter box fine, though shes been drinking more water than usual. shes only 11 years old, never had health problems. my sister is very low income, she cant afford a vet, theres no way for her to get to bostons angell memorial.
does anybody know what this could be? is there a way to treat this at home? oreo is starting to feel uncomfortable, since she keeps shaking her head. please help, any advice is appreciated.

[Bobbie]

It could be an abcessed tooth and probably needs a vet.

[Christine]

could be a spider bite??

[boobookitty]

thats what i was thinking, but why would she lose fur there?

[boobookitty]

my sister thinks the same thing, but why the fur loss in that area?

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

My Jaycee had half her face swollen. Wasn't til I found a chewed elec. cord I figured out why. Could be a lot of things, bite, dental, infection, maybe ringworm?

[boobookitty]

yes, i was thinking ringworm because of the missing fur, how would she get that if she is a strictly indoor cat? and why the swelling and fur loss combined?

[Christine]

how is oreo?

[boobookitty]

i spoke to my sister yesterday, she was so relieved to see the swelling had gone down, and whatever was there is drying up. she also seems more comfortable. she has another cat "cookie" who has been licking oreos cheek, where the swelling was. we think that helped heal whatever it was. i told her to call me if it takes a turn for the worse, she hasnt called, thank god! she told me she had a good feeling about oreos condition, i figure she should know, after all shes the "mom".
thank you all for your help, caring and concern, you are the best.

[Christine]

Thanks for the update, hope he continues to improve - we are all pulling for him.

Love,