Cat with mouth problem

[bshannon]

Before we take a very reluctant cat to the vet (she hates the experience and is extremely hard to handle) wondering if anyone can shed light on a mouth that I first noticed seemed a little swollen, now has a blackened gum along one side and I can see something on the gum at the front that looks like the skin is slightly torn. She is eating up a storm but meowing more than usual. Thanks