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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my cat might have rabies.

159 replies

Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 05/09/2017 09:25

He's chewed all the flesh from the tip of his tail, he was panicking because it was wet. I know it sounds mental but there is a possibility he was bitten by a bat and in England one species can carry a rabies virus.

Goodness, I sound crazy.

OP posts:
Ohb0llocks · 05/09/2017 23:56

Poor thing! And poor you. Must be very worrying

pigsDOfly · 06/09/2017 00:38

Oh poor little chap and poor you. I do hope the vet can help him tomorrow and sort out what's going on with him.

It's so worrying when they're unwell.

ohfourfoxache · 06/09/2017 01:37

Feliway might help. It takes a few days to be effective but we found that the plug in + spray worked a bit quicker

Poor Mouse - he is an absolute gorgeous boy

Original poster
Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 06/09/2017 07:44

Another blood bath this morning. Sad

It's literally everywhere in the bathroom, even splashes on the ceiling. Collar is on tight and tied with a shoe lace, he's still getting it off.

OP posts:
BlueTongueSkink · 06/09/2017 09:48

Oh the poor thing. What did the vet say today OP?

QuimReaper · 06/09/2017 09:59

Oh OP this sounds so distressing and awful for you, I'd be a complete mess in your shoes. I second Feliway, it sounds like there's something more going on as you say, but even if it helps a tiny bit to calm the poor boy down it'll be worth it. It worked like a charm on our girls when we moved house, they stalked around hissing and shrieking at each other for a few days and then once we got the plug-in they seemed to chill out pretty quickly.

Original poster
Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 06/09/2017 10:27

There's just been so much blood. Sad

Vet in two hours. He's calm now. he destroyed the collar, tore it in two. They said they'll probably bandage it completely but they'll look into psychological issues.

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 06/09/2017 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CatsPurr · 06/09/2017 10:40

Oh he is gorgeous. So scary and confusing, maybe he has an infection that is affecting his mind. I really, really love cats and hope so much he gets help and better soon x

Original poster
Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 06/09/2017 10:49

Miaow

If bandaging doesn't work, I'll definitely have a look. The problem that he's actively trying to tear it apart, he attacks it and chews it so I'm not hopeful on much stopping him getting at it.

I definitely saw no injury when he first started acting aggressively and the vets confirmed that the only bite wounds were his own so the gerbils are off the hook. It's just finding what's making him self mutilate. Sad

OP posts:
wowl · 06/09/2017 11:11

Oh poor puss Sad and poor you. Let us know what the vets decide to do OP, hopefully hey can sort him out soon x

Serialweightwatcher · 06/09/2017 11:35

Just been looking online to see what may be causing it - found this .. don't know if you feel it's worth mentioning to vet:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_hyperesthesia_syndrome

Serialweightwatcher · 06/09/2017 11:38

and found this on another forum relating to it, mentioning diet ... just hope poor little Mouse is sorted quickly - so very distressing for you both Sad

^My old (RIP) cat used to have this problem for years and I'd bring him to the vet to try and figure it out and they'd check for fleas etc and they eventually assumed he was allergic to something. At the time I was feeding him a dry only diet. Eventually I realized he needed some wet (I know, I didn't know any better) and started to feed him some wet. This REALLY helped with his problems (He also used to have dandruff and dry skin, as well as constipation, which improved after I switched him to wet. He also stopped attacking his tail. I didn't know what FHS was either at the time, but now I know that is what he must have had)

\

So this maybe try to get him on a wetter diet if you don't already, or start to feed him food that does not have a lot of the byproducts and species-inappropriate ingredients.

basically try to find a high quality, protein rich wet food that does not have a lot of grains or fish as many cats actually have allergies to these ingredients (and they aren't good for them besides).

some cats are also hyper allergic to fleas. They could have just ONE flea bite and they have a reaction to it. So if she is an outdoor cat, make sure she is on a prescription flea medicine (NOT over the counter stuff at the drug store)^

Original poster
Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 06/09/2017 11:57

I'm certainly going to ask about that serial

OP posts:
CandleWithHair · 06/09/2017 12:32

Poor Mouse. I hope the vet has some good suggestions for you today. I have a cat who is a habitual overgroomer, chewing all her fur off and licking/biting to the extent she got infected sores. Not quite the same as your handsome chap as there was no aggression, it was just an obsessive behaviour.
We tried diet, allergies but in the end the only thing that has worked (nearly 2 years later!) is a continued course of low dose steroids.

It's wretched seeing your pet suffering knowing they can't tell us what's wrong, but the relief in finally getting it sorted is amazing. I hope you don't have anywhere near as long a wait to get to the bottom of what's bothering Mouse.

Missingstreetlife · 06/09/2017 13:05

Look for a homeopathic vet. May have success in treating nervous disorders. Yes I'm serious

MynewnameisKy · 06/09/2017 13:16

Goodness what a stressful few days for you and Mouse. BrewCakeFlowers
why do we have no cat treat emojis on Mumsnet?

MoonfaceAndSilky · 06/09/2017 13:17

Aw sooooo cute Grin

Original poster
Thepersonineedisnannymcphee · 06/09/2017 13:18

Vet reckons it's a nervous disorder, apparently oriental cats are prone to highly strung behaviours.

Mouse is all dosed up, which should help him not tear at it but if not the vet will have to take the whole tail. He said expect more blood so off to buy cleaning supplies.

OP posts:
MoonfaceAndSilky · 06/09/2017 13:20

Sorry missed the whole last page! Poor mouse, hope he's better soon Flowers

kali110 · 06/09/2017 13:22

How is he?
Cats will pull the fur off when hurt to get to the injury, or when nervous.
One of ours always used to pull the fur out ( was a stray) he looked a right scruff!
Hope he's doing bettet Smile

kali110 · 06/09/2017 13:23

It maybe nerves op, they can pull their fur out if they're stressed.

Itsalwayswineoclocksomewhere · 06/09/2017 13:26

Poor little Mouse.

As others have said, felliway works wonders for stressed and injured cats. I've just nursed my cat through a partial tail amputation and it's a lot of hard work keeping the 'cone of shame' on.
I found attaching the cone to a collar, and then tying it to a harness worked quite well, also trimming claws so he couldn't scratch it off.

I also kept him in a medium dog crate, next to a felliway diffuser whilst I was out so he couldn't move around too much. Hope that helps a little.

As for the cause of the injury and distress, you could ask your vet to refer you to a cat behaviourist, once they have ruled out any physical causes, it does sound like something is really upsetting him.

Hope you get something sorted soon!

CandleWithHair · 06/09/2017 13:30

That's great advice wineoclock. Poor little mogs!

Crunchymum · 06/09/2017 13:37

Oh gosh, what an ordeal for you all.

You sound like a fab cat owner slave through OP and I'm sure it will all work out for Mouse.