Cat Has Spreading Wounds That Look Like A Burn.

Hey all,
My cat Portifoy has been losing hair in mass chunks and strops on his back and neck. Skin is almost burning off in layers. He has no fleas and has hypoallergenic everything. Strictly indoor cat. He won't let me touch him, and his vet said they can't see him until Monday!

How can I clean his wounds and keep him safe until then? I'm scared for him.

Hi! Is this long term or did this just start to happen?
If you can, try some chamomile tea, buy from the grocery store (the garden type of chamomile isn't safe) brew it, cool it and maybe try and mist it onto him.

The tea is anti fungal, anti bacterial and will ease some of the discomfort.

Does the vet have any clue how bad this is? I'd take your cat and just walk in to their clinic, this is an emergency, or find a different vet.
AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

Email your vet pictures of your cat so the vet can see that this is an urgent issue that can't wait until Monday.

Can you locate an emergency vet hospital in your area? Call your vet and ask. Even after hours, there should be a voicemail message with info on the emergency vet.

You can also try these links:

VetLocater.com - Pet Emergency Hospitals, Hotlines, Resources
VECCS – Certified Facility Directory (The link works but you may or may not be able to actually search for an emergency vet. Seems to be an issue on the web site's end)

Could your cat have gotten into something harmful? How long has the issue been going on?

They didn't seem to think it was an emergency. To their credit, they are having the vet call me tomorrow about wound care.
He's rather hefty, so I've noticed *something* off lately , but today I saw it full force. He also checked behavior wise last night.
Thank you for the wound advice. It's rather ugly looking.

LTS3 said:

Email your vet pictures of your cat so the vet can see that this is an urgent issue that can't wait until Monday.

Can you locate an emergency vet hospital in your area? Call your vet and ask. Even after hours, there should be a voicemail message with info on the emergency vet.

You can also try these links:

VetLocater.com - Pet Emergency Hospitals, Hotlines, Resources
VECCS – Certified Facility Directory (The link works but you may or may not be able to actually search for an emergency vet. Seems to be an issue on the web site's end)

Could your cat have gotten into something harmful? How long has the issue been going on?

Click to expand...

It's only been a few days. I noticed it fully last night. He hasn't gotten into anything. I tried taking pictures but he FREAKED out at my even going near him - and especially his wounds.

i would find an emergency vet, it sounds like an emergency to me if his fur is falling off and skin is burning off in layers as you described, i would take the cat and go straight into the emergency clinic instead of waiting so they can see him and visualize him instead of you describing him over the phone. Please take him now, cause the skin burns will become infected and more painful for him to be treated.

yes, i would treat as an emergency

Leomc123 said:

i would find an emergency vet, it sounds like an emergency to me if his fur is falling off and skin is burning off in layers as you described, i would take the cat and go straight into the emergency clinic instead of waiting so they can see him and visualize him instead of you describing him over the phone. Please take him now, cause the skin burns will become infected and more painful for him to be treated.

Click to expand...

His vet messaged me to essentially do nothing (that they couldn't tell me what to do without a picture etc) until his appointment. Unfortunately, the only E vet I trust is in Palm Harbor and I do not drive, and no one can take me. Even if, I wouldn't have the money for an E vet right now. There have been hospital stays etc galore at my house, so money has been gushing out and away. I wish I could get a picture. It looks better now, it's just ugly in that "center". He's still hiding from me the moment I come near him for the most part. It's like he knows I want to mess with that spot!
I must sound like an awful kit mommy. It's just hard right now. One of my other babies has intestinal cancer and another severe degenerative joint disease. I'm essentially a nurse for kitties.

Actually you sound like a good cat mom, and a very stressed one.

one - it's reasonable to be stressed. It's always difficult when things pile up on you. Try to take a few minutes here and there to relax, deep breathing, a cup of tea. If you can relax it will help your cats relax.

two - you've done a really good job with your cats. Their illnesses are those that come to cats who have been taken care of well enough that other things don't take them out.

three - sending you energy and prayers for the cats and you. Don't ever forget that you are a good cat mom.

squirrelymonki said:

One of my other babies has intestinal cancer and another severe degenerative joint disease.

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to hear this!

I'm glad to hear your baby with the skin problems is improving, but can you have someone, or yourself, take a photo from a little distance without being intrusive and bothering him, that's zoomed in a bit so the vet can see it? I realize it's late in the day Sunday so I guess it doesn't much matter now since he'll be heading in to the vet in a few hours anyway.

Maybe something here will help. if Uber or Lyft is running again, or can a neighbor or friend can drive you? How are you getting to his scheduled appointment? Maybe keep these things in mind for next time.

Also, maybe there's something here that might help;

(apologies for any dead links you may encounter);

Financial Assistance – Day By Day Caregiver Support Inc.

Financial Aid for Pets

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life

Kflowers said:

Actually you sound like a good cat mom, and a very stressed one.

one - it's reasonable to be stressed. It's always difficult when things pile up on you. Try to take a few minutes here and there to relax, deep breathing, a cup of tea. If you can relax it will help your cats relax.

two - you've done a really good job with your cats. Their illnesses are those that come to cats who have been taken care of well enough that other things don't take them out.

three - sending you energy and prayers for the cats and you. Don't ever forget that you are a good cat mom.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much. I needed to hear that. I've felt like such a failure to them. I just want my babies healthy and happy.

So, his wound looked like it was healing with at home care, so I pushed his appointment out because things got complicated life wise.
Then this happened! Like, within the span of my work day. I called his vet in a panic, but they are booked (their words). I sent them this via email to show them how bad it is. It's not even showing how bad it truly is! Does anyone have any ideas what this is? It's spreading to his face

Please take your cat to the vet, if the wound is spreading , it sounds serious, and your car must be in pain and very uncomfortable. For all you know it could be solved with an antibiotic shot. Please take him to the vet.

Leomc123 said:

Please take your cat to the vet, if the wound is spreading , it sounds serious, and your car must be in pain and very uncomfortable. For all you know it could be solved with an antibiotic shot. Please take him to the vet.

Click to expand...

He got in yesterday. I sent them the photo, and they got him in ASAP. He's on a Convenia and Prednisolone regime, and they treated the wounds. They didn't give him any pain meds though

Once the antibiotics kick in he should start to feel better -- a little at a time.

Good that you sent the picture and got a response. Bad that they didn't believe you when you told them about the problem. I'd, casually, look around at other vets in the area, just in case.

Kflowers said:

Once the antibiotics kick in he should start to feel better -- a little at a time.

Good that you sent the picture and got a response. Bad that they didn't believe you when you told them about the problem. I'd, casually, look around at other vets in the area, just in case.

Click to expand...

I kind of blame myself for that - I'm neurotic when it comes to their health, so I call or email about everything.
They think it's ulcerative dermatitis. I have to do my research on that. It looks like I'll end up coning him - he keeps reopening wounds. His bloodwork should hopefully be back with results come tomorrow morning too - they're worried about diabetes.

On a pathetic note, they're really the only vet that I can go to and trust. My last vet ghosted me after I sought a second opinion for cancer kitty, and my 2nd opinion option did too . Told me I had to go to Blue Pearl. So I'm kinda boxed in. All because I couldn't afford the biopsy there and sought out another vet that could do the biopsy.

i am glad you took your cat to the vet and got him some antibiotics, hopefully it will help heal the wounds, also do cone him as he will scratch the wounds open again.

I hope he heals well. All the best !

Okay, it sounds as though you and your vet understand each other.

diabetes is treatable and controlable and the cat can be made comfortable and happy. The hardest part is that you have to get on a schedual and stay on it to give him his shots once or twice a day. If you miss one, he won't die. Your vet will tell you what you need. There is a cat diabetes forum you should join IF HE HAS it. Ask your vet what the worst thing that can happen is. Knowing that will make it easier for you. Mine told me that my cat could go into a coma and slip away from either too much insulin or not enough. If you are giving too much insulin you will know, your vet will tell you what to look for. If you aren't giving enough your vet will tell you what to look for.

If you need to buy insulin go to GoodRX for pets to find the best place to buy it. Knowing that will make it easier for you.

Your staying calm and relaxed is the best thing you can do for your cat whether he has diabetes or not. He will mirror your feelings, it's what cats do. Calm and relaxed helps in healing. Therefore, when you relax you aren't being selfish, you aren't ignoring his reality, you are helping him. Got it? Good. Hugs.

Kflowers said:

Okay, it sounds as though you and your vet understand each other.

diabetes is treatable and controlable and the cat can be made comfortable and happy. The hardest part is that you have to get on a schedual and stay on it to give him his shots once or twice a day. If you miss one, he won't die. Your vet will tell you what you need. There is a cat diabetes forum you should join IF HE HAS it. Ask your vet what the worst thing that can happen is. Knowing that will make it easier for you. Mine told me that my cat could go into a coma and slip away from either too much insulin or not enough. If you are giving too much insulin you will know, your vet will tell you what to look for. If you aren't giving enough your vet will tell you what to look for.

If you need to buy insulin go to GoodRX for pets to find the best place to buy it. Knowing that will make it easier for you.

Your staying calm and relaxed is the best thing you can do for your cat whether he has diabetes or not. He will mirror your feelings, it's what cats do. Calm and relaxed helps in healing. Therefore, when you relax you aren't being selfish, you aren't ignoring his reality, you are helping him. Got it? Good. Hugs.

Click to expand...

His bloodwork came back normal, though I still have to bring a urine sample. My new concern is his deep and heavy breathing, along with him sleeping all bunched up in his litter box.