Cat has been bitten
fitnessqueen
Posts: 5,185 Forum Member
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My Smudge disappeared for a long time yesterday, when he came in last night he had a bare patch on his head above his eye (it almost looks like he's been shaved) and two puncture marks. I think he may have had a fight with his own father - no-one knows who owns him but I often see him around the area and he is still un-neutered and aggressive.
Now Smudge seems fine at the moment but I am aware that cat bites frequently develop into abscesses- as the area is bare of fur I can keep a close eye on it but I was wondering whether to take him to the vet tomorrow anyway and get some antibiotics in him before any abscess develops?
Now Smudge seems fine at the moment but I am aware that cat bites frequently develop into abscesses- as the area is bare of fur I can keep a close eye on it but I was wondering whether to take him to the vet tomorrow anyway and get some antibiotics in him before any abscess develops?
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Our Oscar has just been bitten on his tail
Our other cat Casper got bitten around his face - just above his eyes so we did take him to the vets just in case - poor thing looked like he'd gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson
He is absolutely fine- eating and drinking as normal, playing with his sister, going out (although he's not keen on the rain at the moment!) and when I touch the wounds it doesn't seem to bother him so i don't think he is in pain.I'll give the vet a ring tomorrow and see what they suggest although if he goes downhill then obviously I will take him in.
My female cat had an absess on her head earlier this year and when it swelled up it was very obvious! So it should be easy to tell if anything is developing. Much harder when the wound is somewhere inaccessible like their armpit and you don't even notice! --- and having said that, there could be other wounds you can't see.
(She did need antibiotics and the absess syringing - I really didn't want that bursting and trickling into her eyes:eek:
Ears - the thermometer for cats. If their ears get very hot and their nose is hot and dry, you can bet they'll come down with a cold or worse.
When I look back I feel guilty about my tom-cat and his torn ears (he was like an old sea dog with tatoos) but I was only very young at the time .... and he and we had some lovely experiences....and he lived til he was 17 and had a fulfilling life. I'm not advocating keeping them un-neutered as they fight til they die (toms will never run from a fight so take all their wounds on their head) and mine are neutered now, but it was wonderful to see him as a father, parading around his queen and her litter.
Anyway, salt water the first sign of any wound but if you're concerned and no wound, then very hot ears and a hot dry nose (and droopy tail) will show that the cat is under the weather.
Check the hind legs too. Many cats on the run (ie running away from attack) endure bites on their hind legs. They are difficult to detect but if your cat lets you, gently stroke their back legs up to their bottom. If there are any bumps they could be wounds or scars, if any chunks of fur fall out then there is most likely a fresh wound.
Mine i have noticed on his tail mainly a few what i thought was thorns but looking closy could be scabs could this be caused by fighting or excessive biting himself?
Also since we had him just over 2yrs he would sleep in my bedroom either at the bottom of the bed or under it now he refuses to come in room and sleeps downstairs.
Should i be concerned?
Finally do flea collars work or should i use flea powder type stuff?
If the scabs are at the tip of the tail, it could be that he is biting it ..but doubtful. If they are at the base of the tail near his bottom then most likely he will have got them in a fight. Could also be mange or flea infestation which would lead to overzealous cleaning/nibbling..but I think doubtful.
Wouldn't be concerned about the bed thing, they change their minds like the weather.
Flea collars IMO don't work and can lead to irritation and loss of hair on the neckline. Flea powder is a bit of a no-no as well, as the cat hates it and most are harmful if inhaled. Best thing is to get a monthly spot-on treatment. Mine have Stronghold but others are Advocat and Frontline. Make sure whichever you use it is a prescription only flea treatment - those you buy across the counter but with the same name (eg Frontline) are not as effective. There are some brands too which I would completely steer clear of due to very allergic reactions in cats (my vet said they were toxic) but these are the treatments bought over the counter and in supermarkets.
AFAIK there is absolutely no difference in Frontline from the chemist at the supermarket and Frontline from the vet.
However I agree absolutely - flea collars, powders and stuff that's in (say) a pet shop are useless at best.
Not so. What the vet sells you is Frontline Combo. This is a prescription only product. What you buy in the chemist, high street, or online without prescription is Frontline. Different thing.