About 2-3 weeks ago my cat came home one morning with a scratch above his eye, and puncture wound (1/4 in deep, maybe from another cats fang?) below his ear. I didn't think to much of it, I cleaned it and put on some antibiotic ointment and kept an eye on it for a couple of days. It healed find, you can feel a little scar tissue where the puncture would was.
Well, yesterday that side of his (from ear to jaw) was majorly swollen. Today its not as swollen, but there is blood all over his fur, and his fur is coming out in tufts. He won't let me look at, he ran away the last time I tried and hasn't shown his face in the last 5 hours. My vet is on vacation and won't be back until monday. I have no idea what to do! Anyone ever experience anything like this before? Could it be some weird insect thats buring into him? Maybe a tic? Please help
2007-07-20 08:41:53 · 17 answers · asked by irish girl 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you. I guess I should have known that, I just wanted to think maybe it wasn't a big deal. I took him to another vet, he said it was an abcess from the cat fight he had been in a couple weeks. He'll be better in a few hours. He's pretty pissed off at me at though. You should have seen me half way under the bed fighting with him to get out without hurting him. I didn't realize how strong a cats claws can be!
2007-07-20 11:54:32 · update #1
You cured the surface infection, but there remained a core deep. GET it to the emergency vet ASAP. Cats deal well with minor infections, this one is too near the brain pan, if it crosses the blood/brain barrier, kitty's GONE!. this is not a minor thing here, please find out who ypour vet refers to in emergency and go. Call your vet's office, a recording should give you the emergency #.
2007-07-20 08:52:00 · answer #1 · answered by ihatepenndot 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's called an abscess - an area of infection. This is why you should always get cuts on cats and dogs properly treated - this is what happens if you don't, basically.
Phone around different vets. They should all have some sort of provision for emergency care. Do NOT wait until monday, this has already gone on far too long! All you can do in the meantime is GENTLY clean the area with cotton wool with cooled boiled water on it. A vet needs to sedate the cat to properly debride the area, and administer antibiotics. There's going to be a lot of aftercare and work involved, they take a long time to heal.
Chalice
2007-07-20 16:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an abscess that has burst open. When he had that little scratch above his eye and you put antibiotic ointment on it, it did not "heal fine." The skin closed up and the infection continued to grow underneath it, and when it got so large the skin couldn't contain it any more, it burst open.
Now a minor problem is a major one, and an emergency. This is why people keep saying "Take it to a vet" here in YA when owners are asking for some advice on home treatment.
He should see a vet soon and get the abscess pocket cleaned out and get started on antibiotics. I wouldn't wait till your vet gets back next week. I'm sure he has someone covering his patients in case of emergency...call his office and find out who, and take your cat there.
2007-07-20 16:09:26 · answer #3 · answered by Kayty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely an abscess caused by a very bad infection... its incredibly dangerous and your cat needs to be seen by a vet right away. Try another vet, or an emergency vet. This is very important. They will likely drain the abscess and give you antibiotics.
2007-07-20 15:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Its expensive, but I'd take the cat immediately to an emergency vet clinic. It is possible it could be infected from the initial trauma or there could be another cause. Where he he is bleeding and the like, it sounds pretty severe.
2007-07-20 16:13:37 · answer #5 · answered by JY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get medical help immediatly. My friend had the same thing happen. It heals up, but dissinfect IMMEDIATLY, or else the open wound will become infected, faster than usual. If this happens again, take your cat to the vet, before the swelling becomes so intense. For more questions, email me at lenalovesrandall@yahoo.com I'm on about every day :)
2007-07-20 15:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Jessica. An emergency vet is your best bet. He needs antibiotics and a professional cleaning of the wound.
2007-07-20 15:47:53 · answer #7 · answered by Zoozy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are reading this then it means you haven't taken the advice of the people above. Stop NOW and get your cat to any vet that is open. This is life or death. He may not make it until Monday.
2007-07-20 15:57:39 · answer #8 · answered by Angie C 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Commenter #1 is spot on! Call the infoline or look up the nearest ER vet in the phonebook. You MUST address this before Monday. Good luck!
2007-07-20 15:50:11 · answer #9 · answered by Courtney 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like an infection pocket or abscess, either way, it's not only painful to him, it can get a whole lot worse, possibly even take his life. Find a vet now.
2007-07-20 15:51:54 · answer #10 · answered by Yankee Micmac 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋