Cat fight!

teapot2

Our cat has just been over the road to pick a fight and I think he came off worst. He has a wee lump out of his lovely nose and a bit of blood from his nostril. Not sure if its a bite or a scratch. Is there anything antiseptic I can safely put on it [if he'll let me - that'll be fun] that wont harm him if he licks or rubs it off? Thanks

Owain_Moneysaver

TCP is safe for cats but it stings and so applying it to a cat's nose is probably cruel.

Anything that goes cloudy in water, eg Dettol, contains phenol and is highly toxic to cats.

tanith

Keep an eye on him as cats often bite each other and abcesses will form which make them sick before you realise there is a problem..if he starts limping or goes off his food in the next few days I'd get the vet to check him out.. my daughter lost her 19yr old recently when he was bitten by a neighbours cat under his belly , she hadn't realised he'd been bitten till he went off his food and got sick 4 days later sadly he was a little frail and didn't recover despite the vets best efforts..

teapot2

Yes we've had cats in the past who have been bitten on the paw and you don't see the puncture marks. Will be keeping an eye on him anyway. Ta and sorry to hear about your daughter's cat.

meritaten

Dont use anthing which goes cloudy in water. The safest thing is a salt wash - put warm water in a bowl and add a pinch of salt. then dunk some cotton balls in and wipe the affected area. you can also use used tea bags (unless your cat is white as it stains the fur a bit).

tankgirl1

meritaten wrote: »

Dont use anthing which goes cloudy in water. The safest thing is a salt wash - put warm water in a bowl and add a pinch of salt. then dunk some cotton balls in and wipe the affected area. you can also use used tea bags (unless your cat is white as it stains the fur a bit).

I agree - I would use salt water too, nothing more. I usually recommend using boiled water and letting it cool, and using 1tsp salt to a pint.

Watch out for intections +/- an abcess - cats teeth and claws are covered in nasty bacteria - any concerns about the wound, or any signs of him being listless or off colour - get him down the vets as he may need some antibiotics.

Sorry if you said, but is he neutered OP? Entire toms are much more likely to scrap, so if he isn't done already, I would get him done as soon as he is recovered.

Hope that helps

teapot2

Hi yes he's been neutered. Think he's about 10, we took him in a couple of months ago and theres a few cats around here. He's been having a standoff with this cat [also a tom] but tonight he went looking for him and the fur flew. I went straight over to separate them but the damage was done. Will try the salt wash if he lets me - should be fun . will try to keep a very close eye on him too, unfortunately am working long hours the next couple of days

tankgirl1

I'm sure you will get on fine with the saltwater bathing, and likewise I am sure you will spot any problems - good luck with him - he sounds like a character

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Mine's 13 and did the same 10 days ago. The last bit of scab has just been picked off his abscess site.

Try and keep a good look out for lumps and bumps because the exploding head image is quite memorable, especially with the smell to accompany it....

teapot2

Eeeeugh, hope your mog is better and more fragrant now . Thought I'd post an update after everyone's help and advice - he seems fine and is eating well and has his usual energy levels etc ie sleeping most of the day :rotfl:. His nose has scabbed over and he's scratched the scab off but theres no pus or anything so paws crossed he's ok.

He was most unimpressed with the salt/water wash and it didn't really happen more than once but I tried....

jungle_jane

well he can hold his head high - if the wound is on his nose that means he probably won the fight. Cats that get infection/absyss from fighting often get it near the tail or rear - which usually means that they were fleeing. ie - they lost the fight.

Well that's what my vet told me lol

either way if you are concerned you can take him to the vet to get a preventative antibiotic shot...i have done this once with my old fella - he got into a scrap at the age of 18 and although the other cat came of worse i was worried enough about his wounds to take him to the vet for the preventative shot...i wouldn't do it all the time - just if the fur was flying big time and my cat appeared to be wounded...