What's the best way to help a cat with an injured tail?

Question

I have a cat that comes and goes around and inside my house. Unfortunately with two other cats and uncertainty I have not taken this cat to the vet or established his health condition. Yesterday, he showed up with an injury on his tail that appears to be a bite wound from another cat. The closest vet is quoting me more money than I can afford to treat him. He seems ok, but is also more lethargic than usual. He is an older cat. What can I do? The wound still has the weep from him licking it and the actual cuts are starting to take a grey look. Any way I can clean this out? Being an outdoor cat, he is already a little scared but I can pick him up, etc. I know some local humane society or group might help me out for less ... but I'm not going to have the time to do all that this week with work. TIA for any information!

Also, in case it wasn't obvious ... this isn't my cat. It's yet another abandoned cat from the neighborhood (just like my two cats)

Answer 1

i would take him to the humaine society if you can't care for it if you call them they will pick it up but if it's your cat you have to sign it over to them:(

Answer 2

You can try using betadine solution watered down to the colour of weak tea to clean the outer edges of the wound and use diluted 10% peroxide to clean/flush the inside of wound but ideally this cat needs antibiotics.
If its starting to look grey around the edges it probably means that the flesh is dying off and needs to be trimmed back and sutured up if have any chance of healing.
Cat fight bites cause kidney damage and being an old stray I owuld say that his kidneys would have taken a beating so antibiotics would be nice.
The lethargy will be from pain, during cat fights the cats really pounce of each other and lots of bruising occurs so pain relief wouldn't go astray also.
Perhaps you could coherse a friend to take him to a shelter and ask them for help !

Answer 3

I'm afraid you'll have to make time, or find someone else to do it for you. Cat bite wounds get infected very easily, and the tail can be rather sensitive - remember it's part of the spine. Tail problem lead to all kind of further issues, including movement issues and also loss of bladder/anus control, so you really need to get this taken care of before it gets worse. (Beside,s the longer you wait, the more it'll cost, because it'll get worse.)

Cleaning it yourself won't work cat bites are deep, but thin, due to the needle-shape of their teeth, so even if you cleaned the outside, you wouldn't get to the root of the infection.

Sorry, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear. :(

Answer 4

I'm afraid the cat does need vet attention. As someone said - just cleaning the outside won't keep it free of bacteria, and it sounds like it's already infected, so it does need antibiotics. I would get it to a humane society so they can sort it out.

Chalice

Answer 5

Our cats have been coming home with battle wounds lately due to a stray Tom cat and my mom always washes the wounds with cotton balls and peroxide. They don't really enjoy it but they don't get upset about it...i think they understand.
She first soaks a cotton ball or two, then holds kitty down, lightly rubs the sore and lets them go. She usually has to do it for about a week and the sores heal perfectly.

Answer 6

Bathe his tail in salt solution, this will help to prevent any infection.my cats tail tip fell off when he was injured it was caused by a lack of blood supply.,The grey colour could be infection or tail rot.

Answer 7

Perhaps call animal control or the human society, RSPCA and see if they can come pick him up for you!

Answer 8

well i guess the only thing you can do is either take him to a vet or like you said use the humane soceity