Help - not sure what to do re cat injury

[littlestpogo]

Hello everyone

I’ve just noticed on of my cats when he came in is limping badly and the bottom half of one of his back legs is very swollen. Can’t see any clear bite marks but there is a small amount of blood on it.

I am a single parent and have two DC, one with special needs plus no car so it would be very difficult for me to get him to the emergency vets.

I know no one can really answer but is this the sort of thing I could wait until first thing in the morning for? I’ve bathed the small blood area ( it is tiny) with salt water which made him yowl. He has eaten a bit when he first came in and isn’t hiding away - just in his bed with his cat friend. But he isn’t a cat that hides away.

Not sure what to do

How do the pads look on his injured leg? Are they a good colour? How's the temperature in his paw?

If they're pale or his paw is cooler than the others it wouldn't suggest the blood supply is compromised and definitely can't wait.

Although if you can't tell or it looks fine then I'd still call the emergency vets for advice. Maybe see if they do urgent call outs.

• WOULD suggest

Thanks - pads are fine.

I will give them a rings Arrghh.

From what you say it sounds as if he got his leg caught in something and struggled to get free. For tonight keep an eye on him and bathe the area frequently. He will be feeling sorry for himself so leave him to sleep and contact the vet in the morning. Can he walk on the leg?

Sorry, don't feel able to advise more based on a description! Hope he's OK, poor thing 🤞🏻

It’s definitely warm and normal colour pads ( possibly a bit hot)

He might have been stung my tabby was stung both his front paws swole up like they were inflated they went down within a couple of hours

I know cost shouldn’t matter but an emergency appointment and overnight stay will cost a lot of money compared to an appointment tomorrow

Ring the vets and they will advise, they'll let you know the difference between going through the equivalent of 111 or 999 for a response

Poor thing. How stressful for you! Can you take a photo/video and email it to the emergency vet? Or an online 24hr vet (if such a thing exists?).

My cat has been attacked by a local unneutered male several times over the years. Once was really bad, she bled a fair bit and was yowling then hiding (which she never does). On this occasion we called the emergency vets, the rest of the times we’ve left it till morning. If I was you I would probably wait until 9am and call on the dot - the usual treatment is antibiotics and painkiller and as hard hearted as it might sound unless he is really distressed/ yowling/ hiding he will probably be ok until then.

Just explain to them that you can’t drive to get him there but that you’re concerned. They will advise further. Hope he’s okay.

If you do wait until tomorrow make sure he can't get outside. They have a tendency to disappear when injured.

Rang emergency vet who said sounds like abscess or possible minor injury and fine to bring in first thing.

OP try vets now - if you Google them, they have a 24/7 zoom service which is £24 I believe - when I've done it I've had an appt within an hour and they can assess your pet over zoom, and then if they do need treatment that cost comes off the emergency vet bill. Both times they've said I can wait till morning for mine, so it's not an automatic referral, it's for exactly this kind of situation and I found it really helpful!

Most vets do have an out of hour triage service you can call and they will give you advice

Ah just seen your post that’s good news

As @Okeydoky says don’t open any doors before tomorrow

That's a relief. You can focus on getting some sleep now, hope vet sorts him out quickly tomorrow.

Currently listening to Fat Cat snore like an elephant so not sure I'll be getting much sleep.

Thanks for replying everyone. It’s been a stressful time atm and I have lost my ability to make decisions.

He’s an unusually friendly cat ( Burmese) and absolutely adored by my DSs which always makes anything with him extra stressful!

@hilariousnamehere - that’s really helpful to know for future. That’s exactly what I needed - will keep a note for the next time ( and with this cat there will be a next time as he is always getting into ridiculous situations )

What a relief! Good luck for tomorrow.

Lol @littlestpogo I have one of those too - always getting into scrapes! Found a link now I'm off the train - www.vets-now.com/videovet/

Looks like they're 8am to 11pm now but otherwise looks the same as mid pandemic, and the vet I last spoke to at my last appt said they had had such a good response they thought it would stay. You get a follow up email too which is helpful. Hope your mischief-prone fluff is ok!

Just to update - cat had to have some x rays as vet was concerned the level of swelling might be a fracture. Luckily it wasn’t and just a bad bite. He’s now on the mend ( and back to being a total pain !)

That’s great news. You know the cure for a bad bite is lots of Dreamies right!