I would like opinions, please, about possible causes of injuries to my cat.

[bfmay]

A stray/semi-feral cat that I trapped recently (now named Rusty) has several severe injuries that have healed. His abdomen has two 4-inch long scars running along it. The scars are about 1/2" wide and have no fur. He also has long scars on his neck. His face is disfigured with part of his upper and lower lip gone, as well as the front of his nose ripped off. These are all old injuries that have healed. I am just wondering what could have possibly happened to this cat that his is so badly scarred? He must have gotten completely ripped up, and I'm surprised he survived. I am attaching a photo of his sweet face. Thank you for any ideas.

 

[Kieka]

A cat fight most likely for some (if not all) of it. Cats like to belly kick each other when fighting to kill. It's actually one of the reasons scientists think cat have primordial pouch, to provide a buffer between organs and skin when their belly is attacked. The face could be the same but it got infected and healed poorly or a chunk got torn off. It could also not be a cat fight, but a fight with a wild animal. Any wild animal in your area could have put up enough of a fight to cause serious damage, even a rabbit or squirrel. But with the belly scratches my money would be on another cat.

Although, my cat got in a fight with a coyote and his belly was bruise badly enough that my vet put him on a pain medicine IV for 24 hours to help manage the pain. My cat was lucky to walk away from that fight but his primoridal piuch probably helped given him padding and allowed him to maneuver by allowing him movement while being kicked so win for evolution. Rambling aside, belly kicks could be from a fox or coyote instead of another cat too.

Either way he's lucky to be alive. Hopefully you are getting him neutered, if he isn't already, neutering can help reduce fights and avoid further damage somewhat.

 

[bfmay]

A cat fight most likely for some (if not all) of it. Cats like to belly kick each other when fighting to kill. It's actually one of the reasons scientists think cat have primordial pouch, to provide a buffer between organs and skin when their belly is attacked. The face could be the same but it got infected and healed poorly or a chunk got torn off. It could also not be a cat fight, but a fight with a wild animal. Any wild animal in your area could have put up enough of a fight to cause serious damage, even a rabbit or squirrel. But with the belly scratches my money would be on another cat.

Although, my cat got in a fight with a coyote and his belly was bruise badly enough that my vet put him on a pain medicine IV for 24 hours to help manage the pain. My cat was lucky to walk away from that fight but his primoridal piuch probably helped given him padding and allowed him to maneuver by allowing him movement while being kicked so win for evolution. Rambling aside, belly kicks could be from a fox or coyote instead of another cat too.

Either way he's lucky to be alive. Hopefully you are getting him neutered, if he isn't already, neutering can help reduce fights and avoid further damage somewhat.

Thank you for your really helpful response! This really makes sense. I took him to the vet immediately and he was neutered, vaccinated, and treated for ear mites which were so bad he had clawed the backs of his ears to the point of bleeding. He has made himself at home now, still an outside cat, but friends with my other 8 who also once roamed the streets. He has become a real pet who stays very close to my kitchen door and loves to cuddle and be brushed. It's a real testament to these amazing little animals that they can survive so much trauma and still have so much love to give! Thank you!

 

[Kflowers]

I remember seeing a story about a rescued kitten who had spent most of it's life a the dump. It had lost half the front part of its nose. They said that was from trying to eat out of the pull tab cans with the very sharp edges. I don't know if that was true, if they knew from experience, best guess, whatever, but I do know those edges in the pull tab cans will slice right into your fingers if you aren't careful. I think the pet food people should be ashamed to make a food container that will attract and harm the scaverger kittens. If they say they didn't think of them, why not? If they say once the food is out animals wouldn't be attracted to it, they are lying and know it. Yoplay anyone?