poor basilcat1 :(

[basildonbond]

she's been off her food for a couple of days - at first I thought it was just the heat but yesterday she was really grumpy with everyone which is v out of character and this morning I realised that she was walking very slowly and with some difficulty

we took her to the vet and as I picked her up to put her in her carrier, blood and pus started oozing out of a wound in her leg - her fur is so thick we couldn't see it at first

she's been bitten by another cat (pretty sure it's not Shuri as although they've had a couple of spats they've been pretty minor) and it had got infected and developed an abscess

she's had painkillers, antibiotics and is now feeling well enough to eat but I'm feeling bad we didn't realise she was ill straight away :(

The thing is, they're good at hiding that things are wrong. And my vet (who I think is a not-too-secret sporner) told me (in slightly joyful tones) that cats abscess quickly and beautifully. The most important thing is that you're getting treatment.

I don't think I've ever noticed an abscess-type wound until either the cat's behaviour changed or it swelled up/burst. You noticed the changed behaviour and were taking her to the vet - that's responsible pet ownership and nothing at all to feel bad about.

It might not be Shuri at all - does she go outside?

I've missed abcesses until very late too. And felt very guilty. As Mimsy says though, cats are good at hiding feeling ill. She'll be fine very soon now she's being treated.

How is she getting on, basildon ?

She's doing fine - thanks for asking

It's healing up really well and she's feeling much more like her usual self - has been pottering around in the garden and doing a bit of sunbathing

we haven't seen the aggressive cat (who is no.1 suspect) in the garden for a few days so I'm hoping Shuri's scared him off ...

That's a distinct possibility. As I've said, my knowledge of street cat behaviour is that they're extremely civilized and courteous if the other cat is also - but that they won't tolerate serious aggression. I know that Shuri and basilcat1 have had a couple of slight spats but basically she's the resident female and part of his family now. If she plays her cards right, he'll defend her - and street cats are mean scrappers if they decide to go for it.

Very glad she's improving.