Cat help please!

mini-me66

Hi

Sorry this isnt the most money saving (apart from maybe avoiding another trip to the vets) but thought lots of experienced people on here...

I was away last week and my cat (Charlie) was possibly in a fight on wed/thurs and got a scrath/bite to his foot. The people looking after him put some iodine on it but couldnt get nearer to look as he was growling and hiding. On friday i returned and it was more swollen so i took him to vets sat am.

She couldnt fully examine it but thought puncture wound and gave pain killers and antibiotics for 2 weeks, if no better in 2-4 days to return for xrays. Yesterday he was much better in the avo/eve and apart from a little limp seemed ok. He went out at about 5am this morn and i noticed when he came back in at 8ish a patch of fresh blood (literally on the outside of his foot where the puncture wound was). He wont let me near it but has just licked it and it seems to be coming from the same area the bite/scratch was from. Is it possible that this is a new injury, or could there have been a blood blister that has burst?

Maybe being outside he jumped more on it and opened the wound again?

He wont let me near it to wash it but wondered whether i should try to get some iodine over it or something else i can wipe quickly on. If he is already on antibiotics, will it be ok not being checked at vets again. I will keep him inside for a few more days but its hard work as he's desperate to go out.

He's only slightly limping (no more than yesterday) from the swelling that is still there from yesterday

Any advice....sorry its a long one!

rita-rabbit

I think cleaning with salty water (boiled & then cooled apply with cotton wool or similar sterile article) is a better bet/easier on the cat personally.

patchwork_cat

My bet would be that the abcess has burst. I am surprised that the vet couldn't look at it. They usually take them into the back and get a nurse to hold them if this is the case. Get an old towel and wrap him up really firmly, get someone else to hold him and have a look.

Just to add once our fighting boy had an abcess burst infront of us and the smell is indescribable! He has lost 31/2 canines in fights, so I am afraid that he has probably inflicted a few abcesses in his time, but he has had so many I have lost count! In fact we now just monitor them and if they burst and do not re pus he doesn't even need antibiotics.

925dancer

Been there done that, sounds like a burst abcess, dealt with two myself. It looks extremely gruesome but the antibiotics should clear it up.

I am surprised the vet didn't shave and clean the area though, they did this to my boy (admittedly my Dave is a big softy for the vet and let them shave his tail and clean it without any fuss) and they should be well versed in unco-operative kitties.

I agree with bathing it in salt water but as he is already on ABs the need for that should be minimal.

Keep an eye, if you're still worried tomorrow, pop him back to the vet.

Fire_Fox

Be careful what you apply, bearing in mind the cat will lick it off and products that are not toxic to humans may be toxic to felines. Perhaps ring the emergency vet for advice? Agree with the others that I expect a proper examination if I am paying for it. Do you have pet insurance?

mini-me66

Sorry have been out all day. After he licked the patch of blood i noticed a small scratch which i imagine whilst he was outside he opened the wound up again. He is currently fighting with a pile of bubble wrap so obviously isnt bothered by it.

Regarding the vets, when i phoned for the appointment on sat they did warm be that they have no nurse in so i would have to handle him. When we arrived so saw briefly whilst he was on the table and then he jumped out of my arms into the box. When she went to look again he growled and actually hissed at her whilst trying to bite (and there was no blood to see at the time)...but i did think she maybe could have tried a little harder. He's not usually that aggressive!

As he's not bothered by it, and on anti-b's i think i'll just keep him in and watch it. If it keeps bleeding periodically i will take him back..and i'll try the salt water as might get a quick wipe of it!

Thanks again

Fire_Fox

It's possible he was unusually aggressive because there was pain, cats really can hide it incredibly well. I had my last boy PTS with two large tumours, I can assure you he was healthy looking and playful to the last; even the vet was shocked.

rising_from_the_ashes

My boy is good as gold at the vets but my girl turns into a hissing, spitting, growling, really mean monster!

My usual vet just says "oh what a fuss" and jumps right in but the last time it was a locum and he wouldn't even try to get a worming pill down her - was a bit p'd off to say the least and I think you have a right to be with the way your vet handled your initial visit. I always hold her as I think 2 strangers trying to "interfere" with her would make her even more stressed.

Yes, I'm sure it can be nerve wracking - but that's their job and what they were trained for! She should've done a proper exam.

mini-me66

I think he was in pain as when i collected him from my friends and tried to get him in the carrier it wasnt easy and the rest of the eve he was lying with his leg out and just half growling to himself...but thankfully settled down. Wish cats would understand that you are trying to help when they go into fear mode. He's my first cat so i'm still learning the ropes with him!

If i need to take him back to the vets, i will say that he wasnt examined and that the problem could possibly have been fixed straight away (i'm worried if the cut is not healing it may need stitches), and that i'll be paying again. Hopefully over the next 48 hours it will heal itself with a bit of salt water!

Fire_Fox

mini-me66 wrote: »

I think he was in pain as when i collected him from my friends and tried to get him in the carrier it wasnt easy and the rest of the eve he was lying with his leg out and just half growling to himself...but thankfully settled down. Wish cats would understand that you are trying to help when they go into fear mode. He's my first cat so i'm still learning the ropes with him!

As soon as you think you know the ropes, cats change the rules. It really is another learning curve with every new cat! If he was in pain and is not now that may be a sign the antibiotics are working. Antibiotics wipe out the gut flora so you might ask the vet about a probiotic (friendly bacteria) supplement to repopulate it.

mini-me66

Thanks..
Can it be a problem for their stomachs having had anti-b's, what would i look out for symptoms wise?
Is there anything i can buy that would help e.g. a type of food. He has iams dry in the morning and classic wet or a whiskers pouch in the evening?

I think i worry about him more than i worry about looking after myself sometimes!