Does cat need to see the vet? - Pics

[Bakerstreet8]

My little cat has got into a fight last night and seems to have come off worse! He’s got a cut to his nose which is still bleeding. He was purring this morning but hasn’t asked for his breakfast which is very unusual, usually he’s waking is up at the crack of dawn desperate for it.

Last time he had a scrape the vet said to leave it and I felt like I was being paranoid but this time is much worse. What do you think? I lost a cat to fighting before after he got an abscess so I’m possibly too concerned.

Oh poor puss. I’m no expert and I can’t see the pic properly on my phone. Can you manage to bathe it with saline?
More expert people will advise about vet I’m sure. (We can email ours. Or phone. Can you send them the pic?)

I'd contact your vet today and see what they suggest based on your photo and the fact that he isn't wanting to eat. He might also have other bite (puncture) wounds you can't see, which can very quickly get infected. Better to act quickly and get the antibiotics on board if they feel they are necessary. Poor kitty.

The cut doesn't look desperately bad but the fact he isn't behaving as normal and doesn't want his breakfast would worry me.

Can you tempt him with some treats? I think I'd get a vet appointment to be on the safe side.

Just put a few dreamies next to him, he sniffed them but not interested (put one in his mouth and spat it out) and went back to his bed. I think my vet is doing consultation remotely so may need to call them.

This is the cat that a few weeks ago broke into the kitchen and ate an entire bag of dreamies in one sitting!

I hope the vet can help.

Vets will see pets in person, my guinea pigs have take lockdown to mean I should be a vet nurse..... we have been several times.

Phone up, they will make you an appointment. You then leave the cat in his box by the door they will come out and get him. You get to wait outside or sit in the car. Vet will phone you regarding medication and treatment. They then put him back to where you left him for collection.

Vets are definitely still seeing emergencies, but only having as few as people on site as possible.

Did you bathe it in salt water?.

Purring can be an indication of pain

My vets are doing telephone consults then will call you in for a car park handover if they think it's needs after the phone call

Please ring them

Yes try and see the vet in person. I did a phone consultation with the vet, the day after one of mine got into a fight. (I had thought it was just a verbal argument, not an actual fight)
What I thought was an upper respiratory infection. Was the beginnings of an abscess and a punctured eyeball. If she'd actually been seen it would have been diagnosed much earlier and saved a trip to the emergency vet and 4 nights in hospital. She's fortunately fine now!

Cats often purr when they are in pain to self-soothe, so he might not be saying he's happy. I'd try the vet.

Did you ring the vet OP? How are things now?

Hope you’ve been able to see the vet

So after I posted I remembered my best friend is a receptionist at a vet so I sent the pic for her to show the vet. They advised bathing it in salt water which is what we have done and it doesn’t look so red now.

The cat definitely isn’t himself, he had a little bit of wet food at lunch but again he would normally be yowling for dinner now and he’s sleeping in his bed. I think if he’s still not eating tomorrow I’ll call his vet.

Hope he feels better tomorrow. Any damage anywhere else?

Can you email a picture to your vet? Mine are fine with this and then they tell you if they think they need to see them. I hope pussycat feels better soon.

Poor baby, looks a lot like my cat.

I would echo the above- try and bathe with saline and if he doesn't improve then go to the vet. I had to take my boy cat- he wasn't himself, was very lethargic and clingy, didn't come for food and wasn't purring at all (normally purrs like a train and dribbles when you stroke him!). Started limping and it turned out he had an infected cat bite from a fight. An antibiotic injection and some metacam and he's back to his usual self.

Yes he’s very clingy this evening and is sitting on our laps asleep which he never does - 6pm - bedtime he’s usually biting our ankles if we dare stop playing with him for 5 minutes - we’ve said if he’s still not himself in the morning and doesn’t want breakfast we will call the vet.

How are things today OP?

Still a bit lethargic today, I cleaned the wound again and there was no blood or discharge. To be honest he’s practically nocturnal and sleeps all day anyway so it’s really hard to tell!

He seems a bit more lively this evening (he fetched some toys from his basket for me to play with ) but still isn’t desperate to be fed as he usually would be. We left some food out for him last night and it was gone this morning.

I’m slightly concerned that he hasn’t used his litter tray today or yesterday though (it’s not wet nor is there any solid treasure to dig for!). If he doesn’t want breakfast and he hasn’t used it tonight I will definitely call the vet for advice. Cats are such a worry I feel like a parent with a sick baby!

How is he this morning @Bakerstreet8 ?

I was very happy this morning to be woken at 5am by a cat jumping on me meowing for breakfast! He’s much livelier this morning and he’s used both of his trays in the night.
Still not eating a lot even though he’s asking to be fed, I’m wondering if it’s uncomfortable to eat as the cut is right above his mouth but I don’t think we need to see the vet now

Ah someone’s feeling better then. Could you mash his food and add some boiled water? If it’s softer it might help him.

Maybe he can't smell his food properly?

He's in pain. Can you not afford a visit to the vet?