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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my cat needs a vet sooner than Tuesday

33 replies

Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 15:53

I've booked my cat in at the vets, earliest they can do is Tuesday.

He seems to have an ear infection, and I'm worried it might be pretty bad. There are no visible signs but it stinks like nothing I've ever known. It's really awful. And I've just realised that even though he went outside half an hour ago, I can literally smell what rooms he's been in. It's a very offensive odour, and it's definitely coming from his ear. He doesn't seem to be in pain, he's not shaking his head or holding his ear to the side or scratching it or anything. I can't see any redness or swelling. He is experiencing enough discomfort with it thay he doesn't want me to look in it, but he's happy to be stroked and scratched around it.

Can anybody in the know tell me if this strong smell is a sign that he might need an emergency appointment?

OP posts:
Rosley · 29/08/2018 15:54

Yes I think you are right, he must be in pain. Can you not ring round other vets in the area and see if they will see him?

Freepizzaforall · 29/08/2018 15:55

Yes definitely - hugs

theunsure · 29/08/2018 16:01

I have never had to wait that long to see a vet? How odd.
Yes definitely get an earlier appointment - with another vet if required (you can be registered at more than one). It does sound very unpleasant and usually the longer they have something the longer it takes to treat.

We can always see a vet the same day if we want - although obviously book ahead for routine things like vaccinations.

SurfingOwl · 29/08/2018 16:09

Yes, definitely although you might need an emergency appointment (and have to pay the extra for it). I hope your cat is much better soon.

CaptSkippy · 29/08/2018 16:17

Is your cat a white cat by any chance? I am asking, because they sometimes can have major ear problems.

In either case, the smell is worrying. Could you try a different vet to get an earlier appointment?

ToadOfSadness · 29/08/2018 16:23

If you call them again and explain that you don't want to wait perhaps they will fit you in, get them to ask the vet if they can see you as you are most likely dealing with a receptionist, and explain that it can't wait.

I had to be very firm once when I was fobbed off. (One of our receptionists was horrible, the rest were lovely).

Original poster
Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 16:24

I've rang them again and they said to call back at 8am tomorrow for a same day appointment so I'll be doing that.

My poor stinky boy. Thank you all for advising that I get him seen sooner. I first noticed it faintly Friday night so waited until the weekend/bank holiday was over, then completely forgot all day Tuesday because I was so busy, left the house 8am didnt get back until 10pm Blush bad cat lady. Hopefully I have caught it early enough to treat easily. It's got so much worse between yesterday and today; I can only imagine what it'd be like to wait almost another week.

OP posts:
villainousbroodmare · 29/08/2018 16:27

I wonder if he might have an abscess? Pick up his food tonight by 8pm and water at midnight. No breakfast. Plan your day so that you could leave him for examination/ lancing/ cleaning under sedation or anaesthetic if necessary. If not he can just enjoy a late breakfast.

Original poster
Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 16:28

CaptSkippy he's ginger. He does have seasonal allergies which affect his ears though. This hasn't been nearly as bad this summer since we moved house last year. He also had a large abscess on the currently affected ear about 2 years ago, that was on his ear though rather than in it so not sure if it could be related.

OP posts:
Nolagerformethanks · 29/08/2018 16:30

Ah poor boy, I hope he is feeling better soon and it's not to much of an expensive vets bill Flowers

ivenoideawhatimdoing · 29/08/2018 16:33

Can you contact your local 24 hour vet?

You can usually go right in if it’s serious.

In the meantime, you can baby wipe the ear and if very inflamed, put sudocream on the outer ear to provide a little mild relief?

Original poster
Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 16:42

Ivenoidea the thing is there is no visible swelling or redness, I can't see anything on his ear at all. The smell is coming from deep in his ear canal.

He's his usual self otherwise at least. Eating and drinking, being a nuisance, demanding all of the attention. Just stinking up the place while he does it.

OP posts:
CeeCeeAndAida · 29/08/2018 16:45

Poor kitty Sad

But at our vets you can turn up any time during normal opening hours if you feel it's urgent. We've had to do it twice with Cat2 and, even if we have to wait a bit, he's always been seen and treated. Actually, now I remember, we did it with Cat1 a few years ago. Just take him in today.

welshmist · 29/08/2018 16:47

It could be a grass seed in his ear than can turn very nasty. Oh and I would change vets if they are that difficult to see to be honest.

welshmist · 29/08/2018 16:47

In fact I would phone them now and ask them if they can recommend another vet.

SausageOnAFork · 29/08/2018 16:51

To not be able to get in the same day is not really good enough when you are this worried.

TroubledLichen · 29/08/2018 16:51

Great that he’s being seen tomorrow. I hope he’s ok.

Going forward I would find a new vet though- ours have a block an hour before closing and have always given us a same day appointment when we felt it was necessary plus there’s access to an out of hours service with 24 hour appointments slightly further away.

Duchessgummybuns · 29/08/2018 16:53

Cats are known to hide their pain. Bless him, poor smelly cat

CaptSkippy · 29/08/2018 16:58

Hope he'll be okay soon. Please let us know how he's doing.

Original poster
Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 17:03

I can't switch vets, it's a PDSA vet. I know some people think it's wrong to rely on them for vet treatment but I haven't always, hopefully won't in the future, and I have good reasons.

It does make me a bit sad that I can't do as everyone says and just show up with him and pay whatever's necessary to get him sorted right now though Sad

OP posts:
Somanymistakes · 29/08/2018 17:37

It is a very good idea to withdraw food and water from him at midnight. As you can't see anything and the smell is so offensive, I would think that he very well may need investigation under sedation.

Good luck. Didn't phoebe in friends sing about a Smelly Cat? Maybe playing the song to him would make him feel better Wink

Original poster
Spilledmycoffee · 29/08/2018 17:58

I'll hedge my bets and force him to watch the whole episode.

I wonder if he'll be more upset about that or the absence of his 3am snack (that he walks over my head to get to, despite not needing to).

OP posts:
oldsockeater · 29/08/2018 21:10

Don't withdraw water, and give his snack at 2 am instead. Cats only need starved for 8 hours and unlikely vets will get round to doing anything before 10.
Don't feel bad about pdsa either - the customer care isn't always the best but that's because they only have limited resources and animals come first. If a life or death emergency they would see you immediately. a next day appointment sounds appropriate for the problem you described.

harriethoyle · 29/08/2018 21:24

Just had my cat in for pre planned sedation and only needed to withdraw food not water. Good luck tomorrow!

Somanymistakes · 29/08/2018 21:38

Ahhh...walks over your head.
Mine used to pat my face to wake me up. That's cute isn't it? If I didn't respond immediately to the Dark Master, he would gently pat my face with claws.

Not so cute.

Good luck. Will you let us know what happens?