My Cat recently acquired an open wound on her back, we figure it was from her crawling under small places and scratching her back on them. She does not go outside, and we have a very clean indoor environment. The other day we found she had scratched it open with her back claws and it was bleeding again. To try to help it heal, we put a small amount of Antibiotic ointment on the wound, thinking it was out of her reach.
Later was saw her licking it off, and tried to stop her before she got it all. We're not sure if she got it all off, because she ran away from us before we caught her to check on it.
Is the ointment dangerous to them? Even though it wasn't that much?
She's been acting unusually lazy today, she's only 6 years old, sleeping alot, and not eating as much as she usually does...could she be sick?!
I'm looking for serious answers, I'm very worried about her, she's like my baby..
Thank you!
2007-08-18 19:13:43 · 13 answers · asked by marinesfiancee07 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It was a first aid "Band-Aid""Antibiotic Ointment" It was human ointment, and the only reason we didn't get animal ointment was simply that we didn't think about waiting, we wanted to help her out so it would heal, the cut was bothering her, she hasn't messed with it since we put the ointment on, but were still worried.
2007-08-18 19:21:08 · update #1
She could be acting lethargic because the cut on her back may be infected. Having an infection can make you feel pretty crappy. You should have your cat checked by your veterinarian and get proper treatment for her cut. She may have to be on systemic antibiotics if it is bad enough. Good Luck with your kitty, I hope this helps.
2007-08-18 19:18:53 · answer #1 · answered by Stark 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cat Antibiotic Ointment
2016-12-13 09:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am appalled that people feel qualified to give you medical advice over the internet. Last time I checked, it takes 7-8 YEARS of college to become a VET.
The ointment is the least of your problems. Your cat has a wound and is displaying classic signs of infection.
Take your cat to the vet. DO NOT WAIT. This will not heal on its own. Let me give you a common scenario that I see all too often at the hospital I work at. I am not diagnosing your cat, merely sharing advice of what the consequences of waiting could be.
Cat gets bit or scratched from another cat or dirty object. Cat mouths are very dirty and full of bacteria--and yes they can accidentally bite each other while playing. The small wound closes with a scab but the infection builds underneath. Trapped, the discharge has no where to go. The cat opens the wound again, the infection drains, a bigger scab forms and the process starts all over again. Each cycle worsens as the cats immune system slowly starts the downward spiral of a losing battle.
Every once in awhile a owner brings a cat in right away as they notice a wound. We clip and clean it and put the cat on meds. The wound heals, and the owner pays about $100.
But this is rare. Most people wait 2 weeks until the cat is sick with fever, lethargic and dehydrated. They have a raging infection and a huge pocket/abscess that requires surgery and a drain placement. Then the cat is on antibiotics for 2 weeks and after all the charges the owner ends up paying close to $500.
Ignore all the people who told you that your cat was fine. Neosporin is not going to help you. Listen to the people that told you to go to the vet.
It sounds like your cat is very very sick. I am not judging you. I am just trying to help. I hope for your kitty's sake it all works out.
Take care.
PS--many household meds are toxic to cats, even though they are fine for dogs. Check the label of neosporin for acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is extremely toxic, even in small doses.
2007-08-18 23:19:17 · answer #3 · answered by cat tech 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She needs to see a vet. Not so much for the ointment as the cut but be sure and tell the vet both. Human medicines can kill a cat. If the cut is bothering her that much it needs to be seen by a vet.
2007-08-18 19:23:44 · answer #4 · answered by MissWong 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can safely use Vasoline for something like that.
A call to any vet can give you an answer--they'd need to know what the chemicals are in the ointment to know if it could harm the cat. But if you only used a small dab, it should be ok.
2007-08-19 01:50:26 · answer #5 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't panic cats are fast healers, she is probably tired because her body is fighting of an infection, the ointment wouldn't of been a big issue unless she had quite allot. If you must clean the wound use a warm saline wash its 1Tbsp of salt to 1 pint of water, just rinse it over the wound and its so safe and effective, its what vets use. Otherwise just make sure she is warm and hydrated.
2007-08-18 19:20:40 · answer #6 · answered by Haley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What type of antibiotic ointment did you use? Made for animals, or humans?
It might give her an upset tummy, but I do not think most are ''fatal''. Most ointments have labels to tell you whether something is harmful if ingested or not.
2007-08-18 19:16:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Neosporin says if it is ingested to contact a poison center right away, call the vet tomorrow, as the cat has already eaten it and it is in her system. They may be able to help put your mind at ease
2007-08-18 19:19:13 · answer #8 · answered by Kiki B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She should be fine as long as you didn't apply any of the ointment to her anus or vagina. Next time test the ointment on a cat that you're not so attached to. Perhaps you have a neighbor w/ a cat that's more like a niece or stepchild to you. The laziness, extended sleep, and loss of appetite sound a lot like textbook cases of having antibiotic ointment applied to her anus and/or vagina.
2007-08-18 19:24:44 · answer #9 · answered by pawnjob75 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋
aww im sorry about that...call the vet or the medication company
2007-08-18 19:18:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋