Neighbour's cat injured!

[inappropriateraspberry]

One of our neighbours has a lovely little cat that quite often comes to us. She is neglected/forgotten about I think. I hadn't seen her for a little while, but yesterday she appeared and was limping. She couldn't put any weight on a front leg and it looked a bit swollen. I let her stay in for the day and put her out last night. She has appeared again this morning, still limping, and just now the leg has burst and she is licking off a bloody pus oozing from the leg! It is obviously an abscess from a fight/injury. What can I do without taking her to the vet? I don't think it's my place to do that and I can't really afford to, having 2 cats of my own!

[thecatneuterer]

If you don't think the neighbour will take her (and I would speak to them probably) then I think you have to take her. No one else will. If you're in London I can help.

[stumblymonkey]

I can help if you're in anywhere around the Surrey/Hampshire border.

If a cat isn't being cared for (which includes vet care) by its owner then they should be reported to the RSPCA.

[stumblymonkey]

But yes, can you speak to the neighbour?

It might be that they have a reasonable story like that she's been to the vets, etc. Doesn't sound likely but you never know...

[TrustySnail]

Oh, dear! She definitely needs to see the vet - she'll need antibiotics, I should think, plus a proper cleansing of the wound.

Can you talk to your neighbour? If they won't take her to the vet, I think it's a clear case of neglect - if you're unable to take the cat on yourself (given that you already have 2, I can understand why!) I would be thinking about contacting the RSPCA.

[Teaspoon74]

That's awful!
Well done you OP for giving it some comfort!! If your neighbour can't/won't look after it then there are folk you can contact so the little thing can get some care without putting you out of pocket: Cat Protection League; PDSA; RSPCA; local cat sanctuary (we have Cat Cuddles in SE London).
Hope you can get the little thing some help!

[TheEmmaDilemma]

Do you have a PDSA close to you? Can you talk to the neighbour?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Oh dear that's awful. How can the owners ignore a cat with blood stained pus running down its leg?.

I think she needs a vet though. Poor cat.

My mum adopted a cat in similar circumstances, it's leg was bitten by the owners dog & it was out in -4c so she got it treated and he moved in!. The resident cats were used to us taking in sob story cats by then!.

[inappropriateraspberry]

Thanks, but am in Cornwall! Don't think the RSPCA would do anything. They put food outside for it, but there are so many other cats around I doubt she gets a look in! I think they work shifts at odd hours so aren't around too much. I reckon she's usually just a bit unloved and gets shut outside a lot - almost like a farm cat. We are in the country so our cats are all in the fields hunting a lot. She doesn't seem in pain and is eating ok. Has started putting some weight back on the leg now and it looks a more normal shape, will keep an eye on her. Probably put her back out in a bit and see if she comes back tomorrow.

[inappropriateraspberry]

To be fair, the pus only appeared today once in my house so her owners don't know. That's why I will put her back out in a bit so hopefully she'll go home and they'll notice!!

[Floralnomad]

Don't just put her back out , either take her home and explain to the owners that she needs to see the vet or take her to your vet and say that she is not yours , you think she belongs to neighbours and that you will stick a note through the door to let them know where the cat is . That way if they want her they will go to the vet or the vet will make the decision about what to do with her - you won't end up paying .

[TrustySnail]

I really do think she needs to see a vet - if there's still pus coming out of the wound, it's still infected. The cat is probably in pain and if the infection enters the bone or surrounding muscle, it could be very serious and require surgery to treat.

It's horrible that you're faced with this situation, and the cat is really lucky to have a caring neighbour like you.

Floralnomad's advice is perfect, it's what I would do in the same circumstances.