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My cat has a mouth infection. Are there alternatives to an expensive biopsy?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 8 years and 7 months old | 8 lbs

My cat has had this mystery infection for about a month, I believe it's improving since I've given him antibiotics from his vet and been spraying his mouth with banixx antiseptic. I'm just wondering if there's something else I could try? The vet wants to do a biopsy but it's going to cost near 600 dollars

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2017

Poor Mitchell! I'm glad to hear that his infection seems to be improving with a course of antibiotics. Since it seems to be moving in the right direction, it may be worth asking your vet if the antibiotics can be continued for a longer period of time in the hopes of avoiding more extensive diagnostics, such as a biopsy. However, if the antibiotics do not fully resolve this type of lesion within 2-6 weeks, a biopsy and culture are the only available options. Steroids may decrease inflammation, but they could also delay healing of an infection and provide false results if a biopsy is needed after steroid treatment. Again, discuss a longer course of antibiotics, but if that is unsuccessful, it sounds as though a biopsy is the only other alternative at this point. I hope that all goes well for Mitchell! He's a cutie!

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on

    This looks like a troubling problem for Mitchell. I would continue to use the products your vet has prescribed. Often times these issues can't be fully diagnosed without further diagnostics, like culture for resistant bacteria or a biopsy for other types of infections or cancer. I cannot think of any over the counter remedies that would help that he isn't already using.

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