A cat forum. CatBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » CatBanter forum » Cat Newsgroups » Cat health & behaviour
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Recent Injury



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old December 20th 03, 05:28 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Recent Injury

Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

-*-Bill
  #2  
Old December 20th 03, 08:24 PM
Annie Wxill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


wrote in message
om...
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. ...

-*-Bill

Hi Bill,
Could it be a snake bite?
Whatever it is, it is bothering your cat. I think that the licking may not
be a bad thing, because keeping the punctures open will allow any infection
to drain.
He should go to a vet because he may need an antibiotic.
Annie


  #3  
Old December 20th 03, 08:24 PM
Annie Wxill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


wrote in message
om...
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. ...

-*-Bill

Hi Bill,
Could it be a snake bite?
Whatever it is, it is bothering your cat. I think that the licking may not
be a bad thing, because keeping the punctures open will allow any infection
to drain.
He should go to a vet because he may need an antibiotic.
Annie


  #4  
Old December 20th 03, 08:51 PM
Wendy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You could try irrigating it with peroxide and then applying some triple
antibiotic cream. Keep a close watch on it. If it's a puncture wound it
could abscess and then he definitely needs to see a vet. I wouldn't worry
about the licking as that will help keep the wound open so it can heal from
the inside out. If you see swelling and inflamation and/or any change in
behavior (not eating, lethargic etc) have him seen by the vet right away.

W
wrote in message
om...
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

-*-Bill


  #5  
Old December 20th 03, 08:51 PM
Wendy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You could try irrigating it with peroxide and then applying some triple
antibiotic cream. Keep a close watch on it. If it's a puncture wound it
could abscess and then he definitely needs to see a vet. I wouldn't worry
about the licking as that will help keep the wound open so it can heal from
the inside out. If you see swelling and inflamation and/or any change in
behavior (not eating, lethargic etc) have him seen by the vet right away.

W
wrote in message
om...
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

-*-Bill


  #6  
Old December 20th 03, 10:56 PM
Caliban
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

wrote
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


I would start with cleansing with hydrogen peroxide several times a day. Then
try a product called "Biocaine." PetSmart (and perhaps other pet stores) sell it
for dogs and cats to help prevent licking and chewing. It also provides
"cleansing, debriding, and anti-bacterial action for minor cuts." It is 2%
Lidocaine and is non-prescription. About $6 a bottle.

My cat got bit on the rump a couple of weeks ago. I got on it with hydrogen
peroxide and sterile saline solution ("Wound Wash") religiously, attempting to
keep it open as I know the risk of infection with bites to cats is very high. I
considered anti-biotics but at least one web site I saw said they won't at all
necessarily help. My cat definitely improved after a day or so but then got much
worse. A swollen mass formed on his rump an inch or so from the visible bite
wound--he'd abscessed. He was feverish and very lethargic but maintained a
decent appetite and was using his litter box with the usual results. I
considered the vet but my cat is utterly unmanageable at the vet's. He and
everyone around him risks life and limb. I figured I could handle the lancing
procedure myself and that it would be less harmful to the cat then the hell of
going to a vet and probably having to go under general anesthesia. I
successfully and without too much difficulty lanced the abscess. It was a putrid
mess, but tolerable, and imagine the poor kitty having this vile stuff under his
skin. I flushed the abscess thoroughly, alternating with warm water and hydrogen
peroxide during each session, about four times over two days. The cat got fairly
used to the routine and fought less each time, or he understood this was helping
him feel better. No more pus was accumulating by day 2 (a few days ago), though
I continue to check for swelling and fevers and apply a bit of hydrogen peroxide
a couple of times a day (but don't pointedly try to flush under his skin). The
cat is back to his energetic happy self.

I understand the infection may still be present, so I am watching for signs of
returned swelling, lethargy, and fever.

I never got around to trying a neck collar. The Biocaine wasn't perfect but
seemed to help. The ingestion of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide is not
dangerous to the cat, from what I've read on the Internet.

Needless to say, I have learned from my stupidity. The cat will no longer be
going outside. I got lucky in that he has recovered so well (so far).

I hope your cat is feeling better soon. Updates are welcome. Good luck.


  #7  
Old December 20th 03, 10:56 PM
Caliban
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

wrote
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


I would start with cleansing with hydrogen peroxide several times a day. Then
try a product called "Biocaine." PetSmart (and perhaps other pet stores) sell it
for dogs and cats to help prevent licking and chewing. It also provides
"cleansing, debriding, and anti-bacterial action for minor cuts." It is 2%
Lidocaine and is non-prescription. About $6 a bottle.

My cat got bit on the rump a couple of weeks ago. I got on it with hydrogen
peroxide and sterile saline solution ("Wound Wash") religiously, attempting to
keep it open as I know the risk of infection with bites to cats is very high. I
considered anti-biotics but at least one web site I saw said they won't at all
necessarily help. My cat definitely improved after a day or so but then got much
worse. A swollen mass formed on his rump an inch or so from the visible bite
wound--he'd abscessed. He was feverish and very lethargic but maintained a
decent appetite and was using his litter box with the usual results. I
considered the vet but my cat is utterly unmanageable at the vet's. He and
everyone around him risks life and limb. I figured I could handle the lancing
procedure myself and that it would be less harmful to the cat then the hell of
going to a vet and probably having to go under general anesthesia. I
successfully and without too much difficulty lanced the abscess. It was a putrid
mess, but tolerable, and imagine the poor kitty having this vile stuff under his
skin. I flushed the abscess thoroughly, alternating with warm water and hydrogen
peroxide during each session, about four times over two days. The cat got fairly
used to the routine and fought less each time, or he understood this was helping
him feel better. No more pus was accumulating by day 2 (a few days ago), though
I continue to check for swelling and fevers and apply a bit of hydrogen peroxide
a couple of times a day (but don't pointedly try to flush under his skin). The
cat is back to his energetic happy self.

I understand the infection may still be present, so I am watching for signs of
returned swelling, lethargy, and fever.

I never got around to trying a neck collar. The Biocaine wasn't perfect but
seemed to help. The ingestion of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide is not
dangerous to the cat, from what I've read on the Internet.

Needless to say, I have learned from my stupidity. The cat will no longer be
going outside. I got lucky in that he has recovered so well (so far).

I hope your cat is feeling better soon. Updates are welcome. Good luck.


  #8  
Old December 21st 03, 08:12 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Caliban" wrote in message hlink.net...
wrote
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


I would start with cleansing with hydrogen peroxide several times a day. Then
try a product called "Biocaine." PetSmart (and perhaps other pet stores) sell it
for dogs and cats to help prevent licking and chewing. It also provides
"cleansing, debriding, and anti-bacterial action for minor cuts." It is 2%
Lidocaine and is non-prescription. About $6 a bottle.


Thanks everyone for your responses. The licking continued, the
puncture holes were getting bigger, and we put a pad with neosporine
(sp?) and, get this! an ACE bandage wrapped around shoulders and front
of body to hold the bandage. Suffice it to say, what a mess! We called
a vet and got in: the punctures were actually an abcese (sp??) that
had opened and was draining. The licking was OK. The vet shaved and
clipped around area, opened and cleaned it, gave Bunny a shot of
penicilin, put some salve on the area, and sent us on our way with a
'script of Amoxicilin 2x/day. Come back in a week if things don't look
like they're healing up, might require a suture then.

Again, thanks for all you thoughts and suggestions.

-*-Bill
  #9  
Old December 21st 03, 08:12 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Caliban" wrote in message hlink.net...
wrote
Our male indoor/outdoor, neutered cat came in yesterday evening with a
raw spot near his right armpit. He licks it quite a bit. No blood,
some plasma, looks like there are puncture marks from a plant, cactus?
(we're in Tucson AZ) These don't look like bite marks. It seems he is
making the puncture site holes (??) bigger as he keeps licking the
area. He's in good spirits, eating with a regular appetite.
Anyone have a way to cover the injured area with a polstice? some kind
of patching agent that is non-toxic so it wouldn't hurt him if he
licked the site? Any luck with one of those plastic neck collars to
keep him from licking? I'm extremely skeptical about this collar
idea--I mean, come on! It's a cat, not a dog!
This doesn't look very traumatic, but we'll take him in to a vet if he
makes things worse.
Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


I would start with cleansing with hydrogen peroxide several times a day. Then
try a product called "Biocaine." PetSmart (and perhaps other pet stores) sell it
for dogs and cats to help prevent licking and chewing. It also provides
"cleansing, debriding, and anti-bacterial action for minor cuts." It is 2%
Lidocaine and is non-prescription. About $6 a bottle.


Thanks everyone for your responses. The licking continued, the
puncture holes were getting bigger, and we put a pad with neosporine
(sp?) and, get this! an ACE bandage wrapped around shoulders and front
of body to hold the bandage. Suffice it to say, what a mess! We called
a vet and got in: the punctures were actually an abcese (sp??) that
had opened and was draining. The licking was OK. The vet shaved and
clipped around area, opened and cleaned it, gave Bunny a shot of
penicilin, put some salve on the area, and sent us on our way with a
'script of Amoxicilin 2x/day. Come back in a week if things don't look
like they're healing up, might require a suture then.

Again, thanks for all you thoughts and suggestions.

-*-Bill
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
a recent discussion Marina Cat anecdotes 9 March 4th 04 07:19 PM
Dog, 6 months chronic vomiting after injury darrell graham Cat health & behaviour 6 December 20th 03 03:47 PM
Cat has started growling at kitten in recent weeks (could it be hormones?) VF Cat health & behaviour 6 October 2nd 03 02:20 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CatBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.