Cat owners...should I be worried? *Photos*

[Naughtykitty]

Hi, sorry posting here for traffic as no response on the other page.

Cat had his second vaccination yesterday (he had to start the course again). Today the spot he had done has come up like this...

It's very red and weeping. He doesn't react when I stroke him over the area and is eating. Should I take him back to the vets first thing tomorrow or am I over reacting and just phone?

Freaking out a bit as we just got a new cat (his vaccinations are all up to date). AIBU to be worried?

I'd be there first thing, I think that need to be looked at. Its an extreme reaction that looks more like an injury.
My vet vaccinates cats in their tail, so that if theres a severe problem from the vaccine he can (as a last resort) amputate.

That looks like an abscess. My little guy had one after he was in a fight. I’d take him to the vet tomorrow- he might need antibiotics.
Is he ok in himself? My boy was quite weary with his (it was bigger than yours).

As he's eating, not in pain and seems to be fine in himself, I'd not be overly worried. However, this really shouldn't happen, and I'd be looking for an explanation from the vet, so I'd at the very least phone them for a chat. If I took him in to see the vet, I would not expect to pay for that consultation.

In the meantime, keep it clean and watch out for any signs of infection.

How should I clean it? I've left him because he's been cleaning it himself and didn't want to interfere by putting something on it. It's definitely where he's had the injection. He has reactions to certain flea treatments but not quite as bad as this.

Him and the new cat have been supervised and there has been no real fighting. A few hisses and pats but nothing major!

He does seem generally ok in himself. He's been a bit quieter since the new cat arrived anyway but again nothing too major.

Definitely get down the vets with that. Am sure easily treated but if left could turn nasty

If that was my cat he'd be back to the vet in the morning, not least because it might turn nasty quickly and the vet should really look, especially if it's been caused by the vaccine.

Thank you, they open at 8 so I will phone and try to get an appointment first thing. I'm a teacher so I'm going to have to try and get out of work somehow but fingers crossed they won't mind!

Clean it with boiled cooled water with a bit of salt in it. Apply with cotton wool.

-your cat won't thank you -

Will you let us know how he goes on? Poor little chap.

Looks sore, vets will be best to advise you if it’s allergy they can change it next year

Keep him in today until you can get to vets

Is there an out of hours phone number so you can talk to someone? Normally with vaccines they give you an info sheet and tell you what to do if certain things happen

As an aside, he is beautiful - thank you for taking him in and loving him - need more people like you

It does look like an abscess my cat had one after vaccinations though it didn't look red it was just swollen bare patch of skin and she was off her food. I wouldn't actually mess about with it just take to the vets first thing. It's just a fluke thing sometimes that if there's bacteria on the skin the needle can push it in and cause an abscess my vet said it was probably one in a million complication and just unlucky. She had to be sedated and have it drained but it looked bigger than that you might get away with antibiotics. My vet didn't charge for the op either.

Thank you all. I will phone them when they open and see what they suggest.

Every night without fail Teddy comes in for bedtime cuddles and tonight is no different. He's purring away next to me so hopefully that's a good sign!

I will of course let you know how we get on tomorrow.

Thank you all for your help x

The late Dovecat had something similar to that several years ago after being in a fight Hers was on her side. She recovered well from it though after seeing the vet. It looked very similar to this

Your boy is lovely

The redness has gone right down over night. I'm still going to phone the vet and see what he says but glad it looks a bit better this morning!

Thank you so much for your advice, It was looking my better this morning so I was in two minds but decided to your advice and take him to the vets. So glad I did! It was much worse than I thought and my poor boy now has steroids and antibiotics for the next week. ☹️

They said it was quite a severe reaction to the vaccination.

So thank you all again x

Awwww give him a cuddle from me.

Thank you I will, I can tell he's not well as he's so clingy and cuddly bless him x

Oh bless him. He sounds like my boy was when he had his abscess. Hopefully he’ll perk up soon when the meds start to work.
Extra cuddles for him ❤️

Cats are really good at hiding how dire they feel. My old cat used to get in to fights. We only knew he needed the vet when he wouldn't move from sitting by the radiator. He was really unwell with an infection but didn't let on.

Thank goodness you took him in, I hope he recovers soon.

Looks like a fight wound to me. Keep bathing it with cotton wool and salt water very few hours to help it heal and dry out and it should just scab over and go after a week or so but if your worried its infected go to the vets

It wasn't a fight wound. It was a reaction from his vaccination that he scratched and scratched. X

Bless his paws cats are buggers for the stiff upper whisker.

Dogs on the other paw!!

Have been back to the vets. They said it's healing nicely. She did spend a large amount of time picking of the scab which made my stomach turn 🤢🤮 but glad he's on the mend!

Now if I could just get these two to get along then life will be good!