My Cat Got Hurt And I Don’t Know What To Do

Ashouldnt · Mar 3, 2018

I’ve recently been gone for a few days looking after my mum with all this snow we’ve been having and I’ve come home today (my dad has been looking after my cats) and one of them has cuts on his face. They look more like chunks have been taken out of his face. One above his eye and one on his cheek. I assume he got into a fight whilst outside but I don’t know what to do? Just leave them? They seem completely superficial but it has really shook me. I’m definitely not going to be letting him out again for a while.

Ashouldnt · Mar 3, 2018

Ashouldnt said:
I’ve recently been gone for a few days looking after my mum with all this snow we’ve been having and I’ve come home today (my dad has been looking after my cats) and one of them has cuts on his face. They look more like chunks have been taken out of his face. One above his eye and one on his cheek. I assume he got into a fight whilst outside but I don’t know what to do? Just leave them? They seem completely superficial but it has really shook me. I’m definitely not going to be letting him out again for a while.

Just noticed blood on the floor in the kitchen so I’m wondwring if it’s my cats fighting between themselves? Is it possible he got hurt play fighting or should I separate them?

Margret · Mar 3, 2018

I recommend a vet visit. Since you don't know how it happened you have no idea what kind of infections could have been introduced. Also, it sounds like the wounds are still open? If so, they probably need to be stitched up.

Do you see new wounds? The fresh blood you spotted is either from a new wound, in which case it came from a family spat and you may be right that it's time to keep the two separated, or it's from one of the old wounds, in which case he really needs a vet visit.

Is he neutered? Intact toms have a tendency to get into fights.

You may also want to make both of them indoor-only cats. Indoor-outdoor cats tend to have markedly shorter lifespans.

Margret

Ashouldnt · Mar 3, 2018

Margret said:
I recommend a vet visit. Since you don't know how it happened you have no idea what kind of infections could have been introduced. Also, it sounds like the wounds are still open? If so, they probably need to be stitched up.

Do you see new wounds? The fresh blood you spotted is either from a new wound, in which case it came from a family spat and you may be right that it's time to keep the two separated, or it's from one of the old wounds, in which case he really needs a vet visit.

Is he neutered? Intact toms have a tendency to get into fights.

You may also want to make both of them indoor-only cats. Indoor-outdoor cats tend to have markedly shorter lifespans.

Margret

He is neutered. They both are and the blood was dry. They’re also less cuts and more grazes. Neither were bleeding last I saw but I’ve had to nip out to my mums again and am only just getting back. I let them out so they wouldn’t be together. I think the being inside didn’t help as they’re normally out all day when I’m at college but this week have been held in because of the snow. I think I’ll see how they go and book a vet appointment Monday if they look any worse.

Margret · Mar 3, 2018

Scrapes don't sound like something a cat would acquire in a fight. :headscratch:

Are there any Venetian blinds he could have gotten caught in?

For something like that I think I'd just wash the wound with some cold chamomile tea (from commercial tea bags, not from your garden). If it keeps up and you can't find the cause then it may be time to ask the vet whether there's something wrong with the cat that makes him vulnerable.

Margret

Ashouldnt · Mar 4, 2018

We do have some roll up bamboo blinds over the window in the porch. Which makes a lot of sense actually, the window they cover leads to the back garden and is the one I imagine they’d be looking at the snow through. I was going to clean them with salt water but they are close to his eye and I was sceptical but chamomile tea sounds more gentle. I wonder if green tea would work too? It’s just I have that one hand but I can go get some chamomile.

epona · Mar 4, 2018

In terms of first aid, I'd give any wounds a clean with cooled boiled water (boil it then allow it to cool to body temp so it feels neither hot nor cold). Don't give any human medications or put creams or ointments on it. Take him to the vet on Monday if possible, or seek veterinary advice before then if any of the following occur:

Raised red edges around the wounds, swelling, bad smell, or pus coming from the wounds
Loss of appetite and/or lethargy, 3rd eyelids showing
Sitting in a hunched position or hiding
Hot ears can be a sign of fever which could indicate infection

Margret · Mar 4, 2018

Chamomile has antibiotic, antifungal, and soothing properties. It may be hard to find; I've looked for it in the herbal teas in my grocery store and have found it only as an ingredient in more complex herbal teas; I suggest that you try Natural Grocers, AKA Vitamin Cottage.

Margret

Ashouldnt · Mar 4, 2018

Margret said:
Chamomile has antibiotic, antifungal, and soothing properties. It may be hard to find; I've looked for it in the herbal teas in my grocery store and have found it only as an ingredient in more complex herbal teas; I suggest that you try Natural Grocers, AKA Vitamin Cottage.

Margret

Chamomile tea is very easy to find where I am. It’s probably the most common tea after your standard English breakfast tea. I’ll be getting some this afternoon but will clean with just cooled boiled water for now.

Margret · Mar 4, 2018

Oh, good. It sounds like a plan!

Margret

Geoffrey · Mar 4, 2018

I am a human doctor, not a vet. There is no therapeutic advantage in making tea and cooling it to wash the
wound(s) rather than taking hot water from the tap and then cooling it to wash the wound's'. Tap water is sterile.
Geoffrey

Ashouldnt · Mar 4, 2018

Margret said:
Oh, good. It sounds like a plan!

Margret

Yep! I also want to say thank you , you’re advice has really calmed me down. I was so anxious and shook when I first saw them.

My Cat Got Hurt And I Don’t Know What To Do

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