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Original poster

My cat has this injury. How to treat??

156 replies

Dragone · 24/11/2018 21:41

My cat came home with a big lump on his head 2 days ago with blood coming out a tiny hole. Now it looks like this photo ove attached. How should I treat it? He's been licking his paw and frantically rubbing the area for about half and hour now.

OP posts:
bluetongue · 25/11/2018 00:30

Yes it’s annoying when you’re cat messes in the carrier, mine used to all the time. Most of the time one of the vet nurses would whisk it away to clean while the cat was in with the vet without batting an eyelid. It’s not a reason to deny an animal vet treatment.

notapizzaeater · 25/11/2018 00:44

Have you tried washing it for her with boiled water ? Could you release some of the pressure so they arent in pain overnight ?

IamaBluebird · 25/11/2018 01:06

Your poor cat, that looks really painful. I'd be off to the vet first thing Op. Hope you get the treatment needed in the morning.

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Feenie · 25/11/2018 01:16

Take your cat to the vet, ffs. As if anyone with half a brain wouldn't, instead of posting on MN. Jesus. You shouldn't be allowed a pet.

DramaAlpaca · 25/11/2018 01:22

That is one nasty abcess. That poor cat Sad

jammydodger5 · 25/11/2018 01:24

Vet there is a risk of infection especially if it's from another animal

jammydodger5 · 25/11/2018 01:33

Also if your car is soiling himself here are some tips to try and keep him calm
. If you have a carrier make sure it's the right size
. If you have a cat carrier try placing a familiar blanket or toy
. Talk to your cat
. You can buy herbal calming remedies for pets so try finding one that works for you
. Some treats
And lots of cuddles after but its especially important to take your cat to the vets if wound or cut
Cats claws have a lot of bacteria on them so there could be a high risk of infection.

CarrotTop6 · 25/11/2018 01:37

OP I have to say the comments are rather harsh, but I would like to add - is he spayed ? That may be a reason he is getting in fights all the time

CarrotTop6 · 25/11/2018 01:37

Sorry I mean if he ISNT spayed, that could be why he is in fights

zenasfuck · 25/11/2018 01:56

@LiveatCityHall
See if you can get your vet to refer you to an animal physiotherapist. They'd be able to treat the wound physically and without pain, whilst your vet could treat any infection with antibiotics.

A physiotherapist for an abscess?? What ??

Op - the cat needs a vet, that hasn't just happened that is infected and dying tissue

Get it to a vet ffs

MrMeSeeks · 25/11/2018 02:03

Clean with Cool boiled salt water.
If hes licking it try to dress the wound to stop him, then get him to the vets tomorrow.
Most likely theyll give you a long lasting antioniotic injections and pain meds.
Keep cleaning the wound also

MrMeSeeks · 25/11/2018 02:04

See if you can get your vet to refer you to an animal physiotherapist. They'd be able to treat the wound physically and without pain, whilst your vet could treat any infection with antibiotics.
Wtf?? The cat needs antiobiotics!
They will give him pain meds!
My god what ridiculous advice:

OriginallyfromLA · 25/11/2018 02:45

Spayed = for female cats. Neutered= for male.

ElizabethMainwaring · 25/11/2018 02:48

I hardly think that OP will get the poor cat neutered if she can't be arsed to take him to the vet when he's so poorly.

Original poster
Dragone · 25/11/2018 06:51

DCat has been sleeping with me all night as usual and has just woken me up for his breakfast which he is currently scoffing.

He is 11 and has been neutered. DH couldn't take him because he isn't here.

Vet opens at 8.30am. DCat has never been injured like this before and the fights he's been getting into is only since we moved here recently so I have never had to deal with anything like this before!

DH has owned many cats in his life as have his parents so I've taken his lead on it.

As we'd been washing it out and it was, what appeared to healing up, we didn't think it needed treatment. I never thought about an infection. As it had started bleeding again last night I thought I'd post on here asking for advice as have been here for years and have often asked for help on various things.

No doubt some of you will still pick apart what I have said and will attack me over something, however I can't help what I don't know!

OP posts:
MrsFoxPlus4 · 25/11/2018 07:05

It’s a pretty serious wound and needed treatment days ago, I’d call the vet when they open. In future instead of guessing it’s easier just to ring the vets and ask for advice. I hope he’s going to be alright :)

harleyquinnx · 25/11/2018 07:10

Don't let all the keyboard warriors bully you into feeling bad. I've also had cats for many many years some home lap cats some feral living on our land and some semi feral. Now I've had injuries like this and treated with sudocreme every few hours on tissue and eventually the funk will come out and smell then will be an open wound keep covered like you would any other wound. Keep him indoors. Harder said than done I know. Vets make most their money on superficial wounds that can be treated at home. ThanksThanks it's very clear you love your cats. X

ItsalmostSummer · 25/11/2018 07:12

My advice for an older cat is once this is healed up make him an indoor cat. If he gets picked on and in lots of fights (you have recently moved, so cats fight for territory and generally check each other out) sod that, he could have a lovely few more years as an indoor cat. Keep him indoors.

whaletastic · 25/11/2018 07:20

It's an abscess that has bust. Your cat will 100% need antibiotics. The abscess would have originally been caused by some sort of infection and not it has gotten to the point where it has burst, leaving an open wound which will just get worse and worse. Without having antibiotics it'll eventually spread to the bloodstream

Polkadotdelight · 25/11/2018 07:33

I think a lot of posters have been overly harsh on you. As someone who used to have a territorial cat I also know that abscesses are horrible but not life threatening emergencies. Providing this is an abcess then I would have left it overnight too. Get it looked at today, particularly as so close to the eye and let us know how you get on.

WhoWants2Know · 25/11/2018 07:38

I can't really see where his eye is in relation to the wound, but it must be close. That would concern me. If it's all new to you, I can understand why you were unsure as to whether/when to call the vet, but it does look like now is the time. Hope you get on ok.

ProfessorMoody · 25/11/2018 07:54

Harleyquinn - clearly you don't know much about cats, as that will need more than fucking sudocrem to clear it up.

Honestly, I despair of some people.

Notjustanyone · 25/11/2018 08:35

Well seeing as the injury isn't still bleeding and has crusted over and none of you are actually there and can feel and look properly at the wound or take the cats temp & vitals waiting until the vets open in the morning is actually sound advice! If in doubt ring your local Vets Now for an out of hours consult over the phone and they would be happy to advise you without the need to put the animal through any anguish that could wait.
If it's an abscess (I have a lot of experience with them) then it will require antibiotics and that's all they will do as a first step.
Good luck at the vets today op.

Todayillbebetter · 25/11/2018 08:51

Good luck at the vets this morning! Hope he's on the mend quickly

Bellabonkers · 25/11/2018 08:54

The fact of the matter is an animal was suffering. I hope to dear God it's being treated as we speak.
Any animal owner has a responsibility. It wasn't about making the op being bullied or made to feel bad.

The cat here was the priority. I just hope this may have a positive outcome and the op has been educated into understanding
No abscess should be left untreated without antibiotics.

It's a sad state of affairs when a human needs to ask on the internet if a wound like that needs veterinary attention.