Any vets about ?

[frumpety]

OK I know you will all probably say no to this suggestion, but hear me out. Very elderly cat came in last night after being attacked, he was only out for 10 minutes, goes into garden and then comes straight back in. I cleaned the area where there was blood , around his cheek. Wrapped him up warm and sat and stroked him. After about half an hour he wandered up stairs, staggered would be a better description and went to his usual spot under DD's bed. He is still there, still alive. I cannot get him to a vets until Monday evening due to working.

I do have a vial of gentamicin and the means to give him a dose SC, I am worried about him developing a wound infection. However I am also concerned that the gent could damage his kidneys , he is 19 so they are probably not in the best of shape although his last lot of bloods were ok ( for a 17yr old cat).

You can't get to the vet until Monday evening but surely you vet could advise over the phone regarding this? Has the cat had this medication before? I would be reluctant to use it if not as I know there are side effects relating to kidneys. Does it look like a deep scratch or a bite? Poor old cat.

And just read your title asking for Vet advice! I am not a vet but years of being a cat owner and cat foster home. Sorry for jumping in!

Magissa good idea , will give them a ring now. Have pushed a bowl of water up to his head and he moved and stretched a bit, he is close to the radiator so cosy and warm.

Your poor cat.

We used to put savlon (antiseptic) on our guinea pigs paws when we caught his skin clipping his toe nails. He took it really well and didn’t mind a bit. Might be worth dabbing some on the wound

And yes to speaking to a vet, even if you have to go through several people before you get to one, there’s definitely one on call. We had a dying hamster last week and managed to save her thanks to speaking to the on call vet who advised some meds we happened to have in - he saved her life.

Hope he’s ok. He’s a fantastic age!

Take your bloody cat to a vet. You have a responsibility as an owner and donr give the meds. FFS

Vet nurse and disgusted

Do not give your cat the gentamicin. It's a really toxic antibiotic and could do serious damage. Take him to a vet.

Gentamicin is Intravenous, not sub cut

I would definitely get him to the vet especially as he's an old fella.
One thing you can use on wounds is Hibiscrub 1ml to 10ml water, put it on with sponge, let it foam for 5 mins then rinse off with clean water. Ours had an ear wound after a fight and we had to do this (after vet cleaned it and gave him antibiotic injection).
He had yet another fight, we cleaned the wounds using this method and they didn't get infected BUT I don't think they were as deep.

Sorry I panicked a bit ( anxiety related ) have him booked in at Vet on Monday and an emergency number just in case, bathing his wound twice a day. Had regular updates from DD through the day , he has been up and about, has had food and drink and used the litter tray and is as vocal as ever !

LEM I do understand where you are coming from, but do you honestly think my cat would have survived to 19 years (since having him from the day he was born) if I hadn't been at least a bit of a responsible cat owner ? I panicked because I knew there was no way I could get him to the vet today, I unfortunately don't do the sort of job where I can take time out, or at least not on a weekend when staffing is minimal

You may not be able to easily take time off. Could no one else take the cat in and then you consult with vet over the phone?
If you were my neighbour I would taxi for your cat. Hope all ok.
Bathing with what BTW?

Why do you have injectable gentamicin lying around?!

Bathing with saline Wolfie, as he is back to his normal self I don't think he needs an emergency apt. I panicked because he didn't wake me at 5.30am like normal and wouldn't come out from under the bed. He thought he would wait until I left for work , for maximum mental health impact the old bugger

They are a bloody nightmare. I panicked when tortie terror took her stitches out after being spayed. Yes that was late night.
Do hope all is ok. They are a worry.

Another it is job related. As I said I panicked, horrible feeling knowing you can't actually do anything. It was one of those mad 3am ideas. I had already 95% convinced myself it was a very bad idea when I posted

And you sound like a great neighbour Wolfie

Gent is toxic to cats so please, please don't give it.

Every vet in the UK is required to have an emergency service provision. If in doubt, call your normal surgery number and follow the instructions.