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Original poster

Cat has been attacked, advice please

39 replies

cheesemongery · 18/01/2020 22:41

My 17month old huge male cat was missing last night, very unusual for him so went looking and calling to no avail. He was home this morning in an awful state - clumps taken out of him (hair) scratch or bite marks and a weeping eye.
I spent an hour with him and he didn't seem too bad, but I HAD to go to work.
He seems worse this evening and is so lethargic. I will take him to the vet tomorrow, but he won't let me handle him - I'm asking to anybody in the know how to get him there without making his injuries worse or distressing him further.

Any tips from those who have been in a similar situation welcome please!

OP posts:

HappyHammy · 18/01/2020 22:44

Can you call the out of hours vet. If he is lethargic and worse he could be in a lot of pain or have an infection that needs urgent treatment.

DailyFailstinks · 18/01/2020 22:47

Yes, I’d call the out of hours vet aswell - just for piece of mind.

Ditsy79 · 18/01/2020 22:52

We had a similar situation with our cat this morning. DH just had to grab her and put her in the carrier so we could take her to the emergency vets (poor DH got very scratched in the process though). Poor cat had to be sedated to get the wounds cleaned. Best you get your cat to the vets so they can be take a proper look.

Moviprep · 18/01/2020 23:01

OP, cats are experts at ‘masking’ illness. If a cat looks unwell they are usually worse than they seem, as they cover up being unwell.
I would definitely try my very best to get them in the box and go to out of hours if possible.

MyCatScaresDogs · 18/01/2020 23:13

Sounds like our cat - turned out she had an abscess. She came home in a funny mood with what felt like a wound on her head and spent the next day hiding and subdued. Took her to the vet and turned out she had two wounds (hidden by fur) and an abscess. Definitely get him seen ASAP.

Dodie66 · 18/01/2020 23:20

Take him to an out of hours ver.they can go downhill fast

QuestionableMouse · 18/01/2020 23:22

If you can shut him in a room with his carrier he'll probably go in it on his own.

Hope he's okay.

Herpesfreesince03 · 18/01/2020 23:26

He should have seen a vet by now. Cats instinctively mask pain as they don’t want to be seen as vulnerable, and your cat is deteriorating. It’s likely to have internal injuries or infection is taking hold in the wounds. Have you cleaned them up at all? Don’t wait til tomorrow for a vet

Herpesfreesince03 · 18/01/2020 23:27

Take him to the vets in a cat carrier. Or wrap them up in a towel and carry them

GloGirl · 18/01/2020 23:29

He needs an emergency vet. Cats are incredibly hardy things with an extremely high pain threshold. If he's telling you he's in pain I am telling you he needs the feline equivalent of an ambulance.

Please.

GloGirl · 18/01/2020 23:31

Sorry and yes I agree throw a towel over and risk the bites.

You need a pet carrier, likely if you ask on your local Facebook group someone will let you borrow one.

Branleuse · 18/01/2020 23:33

You need to get him to the vet immediately

Original poster

cheesemongery · 18/01/2020 23:36

Thank you all, I just don't know what to do as I cannot get to an emergency vet tonight as no transport. I feel bad enough as it is so please don't attack me, it will have to be first thing - and no I cannot get a taxi etc as have £1.89 in my bank until Monday but can get transport tomorrow early.

I'm worried sick now.

OP posts:

Original poster

cheesemongery · 18/01/2020 23:38

Ohhhh I don't know how to get him to one! Now I feel so shit. I don't know what to do!

OP posts:

HairyDogsOfThigh · 18/01/2020 23:39

At the very least can you phone the emergency vet number and speak to a vet. They can advise whether they need to see him tonight or whether he can wait til the morning.

To get him there, you will need a secure cat carrier, and realistically a large towel and gardening gloves and a coat on to cover your arms. Corner him, and catch him using the towel, right over him completely and put him in the carrier quickly. The catching should be done quickly and firmly, don't try a softly, softly approach and miss him a few times, you'll only stress him out more. Just matter of factly pick him up and contain him.

Good luck, i hope he's alright.

HairyDogsOfThigh · 18/01/2020 23:41

Phone the vet and explain it to them. They may come out and examine him and take him back if necessary. It will cost more, but some vets will let you pay in instalments.

Original poster

cheesemongery · 18/01/2020 23:43

Thanks Hairy, I shall phone them now.

I've learned the hard way with the cat carrier re softly softly - he absolutely knows what it is! I do have one, but worried about damaging him more.

Okay will call and update thank you.

OP posts:

HairyDogsOfThigh · 18/01/2020 23:44

You won't be the first person who has found themselves with an injured animal and no transport/cash. Explain your situation and see what they say.

bluebunny123 · 18/01/2020 23:46

Hope the poor thing is ok horrible when they're hurt isn't it

Original poster

cheesemongery · 18/01/2020 23:56

Won't see me without £70 upfront payment, but said not worried about weeping eye and if he's not showing signs of discomfort (which he seems to tired to do, although he is laid on back with legs akimbo) then to call in the morning.

Guess I'm sleeping downstairs tonight. TBH I hate the emergency vet in our town, our previous cat was registered with them (this one isn't!) and she was walking oddly, so took her in - they gave her metacam and said she must have hurt herself or whatever, let her carry on as normal, anyway fast forward 1 week and second opinion - squeezed cats back toes and tail and it was spine damage. I had to let her go.

Sorry waffling on as I guess I'll be sleeping down here tonight and obviously very worried.

OP posts:

CatFaceCats · 19/01/2020 00:00

My old cat was a scrapper - could always tell when he’d been fighting as he would have missing clumps of hair and would mooch around. Can you try and clean any cuts with cool boiled water? Perhaps feed him something special to be sure he is eating and keep an eye on him tonight? Phone your regular vet tomorrow and see if they would accept payment on Monday? Hope he is ok

Original poster

cheesemongery · 19/01/2020 00:01

And, just so I can kick myself when down more - guess who missed an insurance payment over the xmas period?

Aaaargh :(

I did HAVE to go to work though as was the only one in to open up and tend an entire store, plus have only just started am on probation and it's all been so fucked up already...

Waffle waffle!! Please keep us in your thoughts, I shall update in the morning, there is nothing I can do tonight. I tried to call my aged mother for some money but she is asleep - as one is in their 70's!

I'll sleep downstairs with him tonight just so he feels safe more than anything :(

OP posts:

HairyDogsOfThigh · 19/01/2020 00:05

I don't think you need to kick yourself, you phoned for advice and they advised he doesn't need to be seen tonight.
Has he eaten anything since he's been home? If he's eating, he probably isn't an emergency.
Missing an insurance payment is unfortunate, but hopefully he won't cost you too much this time.
Good luck with him, i hope he recovers well.

Nikhedonia · 19/01/2020 00:06

Hope he is ok OP

Original poster

cheesemongery · 19/01/2020 00:06

Thanks @CatFaceCats my cat growing up was a right scrapper, he was long haired and white - constantly covered in car oil from sleeping under them and scratches.

I guess this one is my baby - he was born from an unknown Mum who turned up and gave birth randomly in friends house! She hopped off, would come back once a day to say hello and feed. He was the size of my hand when we got him.

Anyway we're giving each other the slow close trust eyes over the room so at least I know he feels safe.

Eugh, horrible situation!!!! Vet first said bring him in immediately... then back tracked when said I can't pay. So much for animals first.

Ranty rant, waffle waffle.

OP posts:

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