Cat has HUGE gash on top of head & face... . what to do?

Question

A person i know has a cat and on a recent visit to their home when i bent down to pet him, instead of feeling soft fur i felt a hard patch. His entire top of his head was one huge scab, and being an outdoor cat it looks like he got attacked by something

I was horrified, and asked how long has the cat been like that and she replied "i dont know" and finished doing her dishes. The cat didnt appear to be in pain, but who knows if the thing is infected or not. its not bleeding, its completely scabbed over.

My question is: What happens if i bring this cat to a vet but i dont have the money to pay it? I really dont have the funds, and i know she is on social security and wont be able to pay for it either.

I will NOT call animal services on her, because this is the first she has ever let something like this happen and in the real world, sometimes people dont have the money. to all you people who are going to critisize "she shouldnt have a pet then"...save your breath.

i dont want people to 'agree with me'... i want to know IF I BRING A WOUNDED ANIMAL TO A VET, WILL THEY HELP IT WITHOUT ME PAYING

Answer 1

Something else you might want to consider:

You say your friend is on Social Security, which means she is at least in her mid-60s.

Is it possible that she is losing her eyesight, or even losing touch with reality? Sometimes people love their pets and believe they are giving them good care, but actually they are neglecting them and don't comprehend it.

If the cat has had a big injury long enough for it to scab over, it doesn't sound like she pays much attention to the cat, doesn't pet it, and so on. Are you sure she even feeds it?

I would ask her if she would consider giving the cat up. Possibly she would be relieved to do so.

You can call some vets and find out if they have any sort of fund or program for pets in need like this. We do, where I work. If you can't find one who will see the cat for free, and if your friend agrees, the best alternative is for the cat to go to an animal shelter where its injuries can be treated and perhaps it can be adopted into a home able to care for it.

Answer 2

Personally, I would give the owner of this cat a good talking to. As it happens, the fact that this cut has scabbed over suggests it has healed and is therefore not infected (scabs are part of the healing process) - but don't take my word for it of course. I think the cat may have got a lucky escape this time, but I'd be having serious words to the owner about what she's planning on doing the next time this happens and the cat isn't so lucky.

You might also want to point her in the direction of www.carecredit.com.

I'd also be more worried about the fact the owner didn't even know how long the cat had been in this condition. This suggests it wasn't lack of money that stopped her taking the cat to a vet, but lack of caring, or even noticing her cat. In the real world, cats die often because of this very attitude.

Chalice

Answer 3

Well, I guess I'm going to be one of "you people" as you so crudely put it. However, my concern is NOT whether or not she had the MONEY to take it to a vet - I COMPLETELY understand that situation - more the fact that she didn't even seem to notice that anything was wrong with the cat, let alone how long it had been! THIS leads me to believe she shouldn't have a pet because of carelessness, not the fact that she can't afford a vet. You should think twice about calling animal services on her. I don't really care if this is the opinion you "wanted" or not - if you just want people to agree with you, why even ask?

Answer 4

Call EVERYONE YOU CAN and ask if they can give you a low-cost consultation. The local Humane Society/SPCA may have someone on hand in addition to local vets and clinics. Yu can even try local universities with vet programs and find out if they will look at the cat for free.

If it is in fact a wound and it is healing, there's not much a vet can do. But if it's one of any number of things that can also cause "scabby" skin, especially around the head (like ringworm), then this cat needs treatment. Good luck!

Answer 5

I would at least try to find a cheaper way to have the cat treated, what if you call the local animal shelter and explain the situation I know that they have access to medicine and vet services that are cheaper than the average.

Answer 6

I think that if the cat believes it's fine, it is. If it doesn't act sick and the wound doesn't look infected or anything the cat can heal on it's own.

Answer 7

If it's not bleeding, doesn't smell bad, and is completely scabbed over, then let it heal naturally. Don't touch or worry at the scab.

Answer 8

if you were rally horrified, you would call animal services! Since you have decided against all the best actions, pray for a miracle.