Cat attacked

[LIVVI1234]

Hi, I need some advice.

My 13 year old cat was (we think) attacked by another cat. He was very quiet this monring, not coming near for cuddles etc when usually very affectionate and clingy. I took a look at him and noticed a small cut and when I tried to stroke him he was hissing and wincing.
Long story short - I ended up taking him to out of hours vet and she gave him a 10 days dose of antibotics in a single injection and some pain killer liquid I have to continue with every day. She said it was lucky I came in as she found more wounds than I noticed and one was infected.
We got home a few hours ago and hes hiding away all the time. - he is letting me pet him and stroke him but wants to be by himself, hiding in places he's never sat in before. He's eating fine and I''m not going to let him out until tomorrow (I haven't been told to keep him in but thought it for the best just now). Do you think hes just feeling all the medication? or maybe the trip to vets scared him (he does not travel well in the car!) or maybe hes just scared. He just looks so sad, its horrible!

[thecatneuterer]

It's never a good sign when cats try to hide. It could be the infection, the pain, anything really. But definitely make sure he can't get out until he's back to his normal self - you don't want him going out and hiding somewhere.

[Fluffycloudland77]

He probably feels rubbish and sore. I’d keep him in until you can honestly say he’s back to normal.

[LIVVI1234]

thecatneuterer yes you're probably right - maybe best to keep him in for a few days. I'm hoping he will be a little chirpier tomorrow once everything really kicks in and he's had a good sleep. They think it was either a big cat or a small fox that may have bit him - Bill (the cat) is a big boy himself and the vet thought his head had been bitten! So she said he also probably has a killer headache. Poor thing! I hate seeing him look so sad.

[LIVVI1234]

Thank you for the replies - probably best to keep him for a few days then. So glad I took him in - I was deliberating as didn't seem that bad. Who knew! Cost small fortune but so worth it.

[Jaxhog]

This happened to us a couple of weeks ago. Our cat is 12 1/2 and(we think) was attacked by a dog or cat. We did a 'Facetime' consultation and got antibiotic pills and painkilling gloop. He hid for most of a day and was also growling and hissing if we touched him. You can imagine what the consult was like! The vet told us to keep him in for 5 days until he'd finished the antibiotics. We did. He's as right as rain now.

Good luck.

[LIVVI1234]

Thank you for the positive reply! Glad to hear your cat is better! Its horrible - he just looks so lost. They bizarrely had to clip a couple of whiskers - not sure why - i think they were irritating a wound and this probably has made him disorientated too,
Luckily the vet gave him the full dose (i had no idea you could have an injection that covers 10 days of antibiotics) and we only have to give the pain relief. I think I'll keep him in until he's himself and/or the pain relief runs out!

[Drogonssmile]

Poor lad no advice I'm afraid but I hope he feels better soon.

[LIVVI1234]

Thank you!

[thecatneuterer]

How many days did they say you have to give the Loxicom/Metacam for? It can cause kidney problems, especially in older cats, and should be given for as short a time as necessary.

[LIVVI1234]

I've just been told to use it till it finishes. They have only given a small amount (less that half a small bottle) so I can't imagine it'd last more than 3/4 days

[thecatneuterer]

Ah OK. That sounds fine.

[LIVVI1234]

Thank you for the advice though - I will keep in mind if it does last longer.

[Veterinari]

I think he's stressed and painful. Give it a day or two for the meds to kick in

[LIVVI1234]

I hope so - thank you.

[toddlertantrumhell]

We recently went through similar with our cat. He is free to come and go through the cat flap and about a month ago he returned and it was liked he'd had a stroke. He could hardly move his right side and basically dragged himself, it was awful. Anyway long story short from the vets it was a suspected attack (probably fox) and he suffered neurological damage. They gave him antibiotics, anti inflammatory and a strong pain killer. Lots of rest and staying in and he was fully better within 3 weeks! We did notice he didn't have a bowel movement for a week so he had to go back but a pessary sorted that straight away. I hope your cat gets better quickly

[LIVVI1234]

Oh no thats awful toddlertantrumhell - pleased to hear he's sorted. That must've been horrendous. I don't think my boys quite that bad - he seems to be able to move okay just now anyway. Thank you for the well wishes.

[Oldestchild90s]

Hope your boy is better soon. Remember not only does it physically hurt them but hurts their pride too, when my boy has a fight he sulks for ages.. quite sweet in it's own way!

Fingers crossed for him 🤞🏻😻

[Toddlerteaplease]

Honestly what is going on with these cats this week. That's the third with a bite/ wound!!

[Ellmau]

Could it be lockdown related? Foxes normally eating rubbish, and now competing with cats for wildlife?

[Vinorosso74]

It's nearly a couple of years ago now but our daft lad started a fight with another cat (lost) and was a bit sheepish for a few days afterwards-he needed a vet visit and antibiotics.
Cats are quite active at this time of year-lots of birds around, weather is nicer. Sadly we have a few unneutered males around here (owned) who are often strutting their stuff looking for the non existent ladies. Our lad actually tolerates most of them and they leave him be; I wonder if they realise he isn't a threat? Daft thing is the one ours dislikes is also neutered (and a v sweet cat).

[LIVVI1234]

Thanks everyone. He’s much better this morning. Not hiding as much, coming out to say hello. Sitting with me etc. A good appetite still. Still not himself- very quiet, and slow with his movements. But much better then yesterday.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Oh that’s good. He must still be a bit sore poor boy.

[nearlynermal]

Oh poor kitty! Hope he's back to himself soon.

[LaMereDuChat]

Poor thing - they do sulk a bit when they have had a whupping, also. Don't worry about the Metacam - ours is 17 in a week and has been on it daily for the past 3 years as a result of arthritis and being the bionic cat (one back leg was missing a hip joint as a result of a car accident a decade ago - then she destroyed all the ligaments in the other back leg and had to have them rebuilt with nylon).

[LIVVI1234]

He’s just had his pain killer stuff and has gone to sleep in his hiding place. Still being quite social- desperate to get outside but I’ve said no. Although hiding he is still interacting with us, and letting us cuddle him etc so doing well I think .