How to clean a nervous cat?

[SussexBonfireViking]

So - i have a beautiful cat - Spike. He has something wrong with his mouth, either nothing (according to the first vet) or a possible ulcer (according to the send vet)

He is a very flighty, nervous cat. But he is stinky, and i know he is not happy, he's pulling fur out in handfuls, and has bald patches all over.

I have been using wipes, brushing, damp towel, but he's not getting any cleaner. He just cant do it. He's trying, but its not just happening.

What can i do?

His first white nose pic is how he used to look, the doorway one is today, he looks like he has a black/brown nose

He certainly doesn't look right, poor boy. How old is he? Allergies? Feliway? Is he having nosebleeds? How stressful for you.

we had a 2 week antibiotic injection (and painkillers) - that was 3 weeks ago, and we were hoping he wold be back to normal now - i think we will have to take him back. We havent done yet as its stressful for him

i'm heartbroken if i'm honest.

The second vet said it might be something underneath the ulcer, but couldnt see - a 1 way trip might be imminent.... /sad

Is he stinky all over or just round his mouth?

He might just need a dental done, or a tooth out. He could have an abscess that needs popping and draining.

Oh he does look miserable poor thing. The vet needs to have a proper look in his mouth. Has he had blood tests done. He needs to go back to the vet.

Back to the vets ASAP.

The antibiotics clearly havent worked - so don't delay any further.

Agree with the others he may well need blood tests and, if he's stressed/nervous, vets may sedate him to do that. Ring first thing before you feed him then youll know whether it's OK to feed him or not.

He's absolutely gorgeous poor boy. I bet he has an abscess or needs some teeth out. I would go back urgently and demand they do something more for him.

Thanks all

He had blood tests when we took him to the second vet, which ruled out kidney issues.

Touch wood, we've not had any other problems, he's 13 now, and his brother is as fit as anything

Have you flea treated him? My cat had flea dermatitis one bite and out came his fur he used to get stinky too

The vet needs to give him happy pills

You can give him a bath but personally if he has an ulcer I wouldn't

Call the vet. It will also he painful for him to eat and drink and cats dont like not being able to clean themselves.

DH says we should re evaluate on Monday? no way he will let me bathe him (cat not DH)

Spike is currently asleep on the sofa, he has areas he likes to sleep, and there are throws and towels down, so its no problem. He's purry if you stroke him

Is he eating and drinking ok. His poor little mouth looks so sore. Hope he feels better soon. Cats do purr when they need comforting.

Please don’t leave him until Monday. That definitely needs treatment sooner. Poor boy - hope you can get it sorted for him. Do you have insurance?

With difficulty 😀

I'd take him to an emergency vet appointment tomorrow and, if they can't see anything awful, I'd ask about a steroid injection as well.

Is he eating and drinking as normal - he looks a little thin and may be dehydrated?

i've just wiped his face down again, and he was purring, its so hard, i hate seeing him unhappy - i know that overall he is ok, but not being clean, that must be so horrible for a cat

i'll go for tomorrow if they have space, i've just had a week off work, so dont want to take the piss, my company is lovely to work for (so understanding)

he also just grabbed an uncut loaf of bread off the kitchen side, and chewed it a bit - little bugger

(look at my beautiful boy before he got.... whatever it is)

I agree dont leave it till monday. The smell or bathing him is not really the priority. He needs medical help.

Is he cleaning and scratching a lot/. My cat kept licking and scratching and it made her nose black. She had an allergy to quite a few things and they put her on atopica and some steroids which helped a lot.
She also became very nervous and went from being indoors a lot to preferring to stay outside and slept in a cat kennel I think because she was hot indoors which made her itch more, I would take him back to the vet if I were you

Just had a look at your photos and his nose and skin looks just like my cats did

I would go to the vet ASAP. Cleaning him down might just be adding to his stress and isn't a priority in the grand scheme of things.

don’t leave the poor thing like that til Monday

Purring doesn't necessarily mean he's happy - it can also be a sign of pain.

Please take your cat to the vet

we have an apt at 1130

We are cleaning him, as he is a cat, and they like to be clean, more for his comfort than ours