My cat was bitten by a skunk what do i do?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

I am not positive because i didnt see it happen but he came back with a bite and kind of smelling like skunk. i cant afford to take him2 to a vet. it has been a week now and he seems ok. but today he is going crazy maybe he is itchy there... is there something i can do to help him??? he is kinda shaky today too.

i cant go to a vet they charge 300 just to see him and i dont have money im 13 my parents wont pay for that. Is going to vet the only thing to do? im not postive it was a skunk? what if it wasnt a skunk?? if he would have been bitten by a skunk wouldnt he smell like skunk a lot?

IM 13 I HAVE NOOOOO MONEY! none

ok thanks for youranswers i will look for a cheap vet and see what happens.

Answer 1

if it was a skunk, likely it was rabid, as they don't normally bite house cats (they aren't much of a threat)...

watch him for rabies. keep him indoors. call the local humane society, they may know a place that will help... i included a link for a list of free pet clinics, i hope you find one!!

reasons like that is why my kitties don't go outside!!
i'm older than 13, but vet bills are very expensive & i'd rather avoid them... ($300 sounds a bit excessive though, the whole BILL shouldn't be THAT much, unless it's an emergency vet)

Answer 2

A vet emergency room usually charges $75, and a regular vet does a checkup for $25 to $35. Unless you're living in Beverly Hills, nobody charges $300 for seeing an animal.

He should be checked if he's shaky. Does he have his rabies shots up to date? Like within the last three years? If he does, you don't have to worry about rabies. He could have an infection from the bite, which would take a day or two to start a fever.

There's nothing constructive I can offer for self treating a cat that I don't know what actually happened to--not knowing what bit it or what the other conditions are in the cat, it's all just a guess we'd be making here.

Answer 3

You are running the risk of having a rabid cat. Skunks and other wild animals who bite, including other cats can be infected with rabies. I recommend that you borrow some money or use a credit card if you want to save the cat's life. Rabies is a killer and affects the brain and spinal cord of the animal. If a rabid cat bites you, you could get rabies too. Now, you must reconsider the value of taking your cat to a veterinarian. Some vets have payment plans if you call ahead and show some credentials to qualify. Otherwise, you should consider turning this cat over to a Humane Society, such an an SPCA, if you do not feel the cats life is worth saving. They will euthanize your cat. Animals should not be allowed to suffer by their owners when veterinary care is available at modest cost (100 dollars or less). Call around for another veterinarian because 300 dollars sounds absurd for an office visit! Your local SPCA will NOT charge that much.

Answer 4

Suffice it to say, you should get him to a vet. I've heard of an animal being sprayed by a skunk, but being bitten by one is another matter entirely. If it's been a week, and nothing has happened to him, I would suggest that the wound is healing - and that is causing the inane itching sensation; but as I don't know how deep or volatile the wound is, I cannot be sure. A healing ointment should help ease the itching...but I would definitely make sure that he gets to a vet if anything gets any worse - skunks can become rabid, too, you know? And, sorry, but I don't believe just a visit to the vet would be $300 or else no one would bring their animal in - your best bet is more likely 50 or 75.

Answer 5

Sounds like your cat is still freaked out by its experience with the skunk. Do you know why this happened? Cats and dogs are territorial and protective of their land and their owners. When a cat sees another animal on their property they think you may be harmed and that they need to protect you. Why else would another animal pick a fight with a skunk? I would make sure your cat has had his or her shots. The bacteria in the skunks mouth and teeth could have transferred a bacteria to your cat. You may have to take your cat in. Don't worry, it won't cost you as much as a new outfit and you should be able to find a low cost vet.

You can buy the shots yourself at a local feed store or even from a vet or online. Should be under 20 bucks. It's not hard to give them a shot, just grab a tuff of fur on the cat's back and put the needle in about 1/4 an inch and inject it. The main thing you need to protect your cat from is RABIES and CAT LUKEMIA. Your vet will have to do the rabies if your state is like mine. The cat lukemia is a disease animals give each other and it kills. If you can afford to hang with the girls then try to do something for your cat. That cat will be more faithful. you can afford to do this one thing for your cat.

Answer 6

This could be really bad, if your cat is shaking, and you are fairly certain your cat has been bit by a skunk, it very well could have rabies. I'm not kidding, skunks are one of the primary carriers of rabies in the united states. shaking is one of the primary signs because this disease attacks the muscle tissue and the central nervous system, over dilated pupils or pupils dilated to a different sign is another. Acting strange is another symptom.


Then again he may only have an abscess, and it may be causing him to run a fever. Check his temperature, which will have to be done rectally. Anything around 103 is something to worry about 100-102 is about normal anything under 99 is also something to worry about, if he is below that try to keep him warm with a heating pad turned on low and towels warmed in the dryer. Hope this helps. If you need more info let me know. I'll help all I can

Answer 7

Skunks spray as a way of defence, they don't usually bite. If the skunk bit, the chance of it being ill is very high. Now, was it at night(early morning dawn and dusk count as night ) or during the day? Skunks are usually nocturnal- again- an animal acting out of character is a warning sign. However, I have had dogs try to get them out of their den and been sprayed during the day.Did your cat have rabies shots? You could be in danger if he hasn't had his shots and the skunk had rabies.Call vets, DO have it checked, see if one will take a payment plan, then to do chores , mow lawns, weed gardens, whatever you need to do. This is your cat and you have a responsibility to make sure it's healthy and safe, he's counting on you- he can't take himself to the vet..

Answer 8

If you can't afford to take the cat to the vet maybe the doctor could let you make payments, but you really should have the cat checked out. The skunk may have rabies which means if your cat has not had rabies shots he could get rabies which also puts you at danger. If you can't afford to take your cat to the doctor maybe you shouldn't have the cat.. Animals can become very costly at times and they are a great responsibility, but when you love them and except them into your home you have to be a responsible pet owner which means you take care of all their needs. Please take the cat to the vet to be sure he is ok.

Answer 9

No offense but if your family isn't willing to pay for a vet check they should not have any living creature. Is there a bite or does he just smell, the cat could have gotten rabies or other really BAD diseases from the skunk and most likly will die painfully if you do not take it to the vet.

Answer 10

I know you don't want to hear this, but if you can't afford a vet visit, then you shouldnt have a pet

But, since you do have a pet, and still can't afford a vet visit, just get it nice and clean, and call the vets office and see if they think its so bad she needs to go to the vet

If they say don't worry about it, then, don't worry about it, but i would at least call the vets office and get a second opinion

The answers you get on this site shouldnt take the place of a vets visit