Cat medical advice?

[amigo30]

One of our kitty's snuck out the door about 5 days ago. We've been leaving food and water out for her, but couldn't find her.

She just wandered back today. She looks to be in good shape overall, but has a cut about the size of a dime with muscle clearing showing through. It's on her side.

We can't get a bandage on there, and we are hesitant to pour bactine in there with the hole so clearing going into her body cavity.

We can't find a vet open anywhere around here. Any advice on treating this until we can get her to a vet tomorrow morning?

[amigo30]

Thanks Bones. We wanted to make sure we weren't doing more harm than good.

[konavet]

I don't work on cats (except my own), but wounds are wounds. Gently clean and flush the area with some dilute Betadine (or generic equivalent). I suggest adding the betadine to clean water to make a solution about the color of strong tea. Straight betadine is too strong and irritating to use on open wounds, but it won't do any major harm if you use it that way. If you can trim some of the hair away, that would be good, but as Bones says, it may be difficult, so don't worry about it too much. Make sure you flush any hair and debris out of the wound. Triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) is a good choice to dress the wound. Don't use the stuff with added cortisone or benzocaine. Cats are pretty tough, and it's too late for sutures at this point, so unless it appears that the wound is very deep or involves any major structures, he'll probably be OK. If he shows a great deal of pain, swelling or discharge from the wound, he definitely needs to be seen ASAP.

[amigo30]

Originally Posted by konavet

it's too late for sutures at this point

Thanks for the tips!

Why is it too late for sutures though?

[Tone Disciple]

Watch out for peritonitis. I had a cat with this type of wound once and I found out later it was from a gun shot. Cats don''t show the pain they are in and can be quiet sufferers. If you are in a major city there are emergency vet clinics open I would get her/him to a vet right away. It may cost some extra, but it could save your cat's life.

I am not a doctor or a vet, but we do breed Maine Coon cats and I know cats well and have had a lot of experience with them.

[Tonekat]

Sending wishes for a speedy healing of your kitty. I lost my beloved Cinnamon on one Thanksgiving in the sixties.

[konavet]

Originally Posted by Bones

The tissue around the wound is probably already dead or will be by the time you get to a vet. Plus if the wound is now infected, you don't want to close it up.

Yep.

[amigo30]

Thanks everyone. Popcorns wound is cleaned up pretty well. Shaving wasn't really an option she cared for. It's a bit disturbing to be able to see into her body cavity, but she only seems mildly bothered by it. She's tired and happy to be back home.

She'll be seeing the vet first thing in the morning, and I predict a happy ending to this feline adventure.

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm sorry to hear about Cinnamon. Thinking of her.

[nitehawk55]

Bones and konovet gave good advice and perhaps a bit of an antiseptic wound ointment might not hurt but I would try and trim the hair down around the wound with scissors best you can so it's not getting in the wound and causing it to fester or interfer with the healing . Can the cat reach it and lick it ? , if so that might be an issue but chances are it will close up just keep an eye for infection (redness, puss) and overall health changes .

If you owned horses patching various wounds is a common thing for me

[Rattles]

Hope your baby kitty will be okay amigo. Keep us posted please.

[amigo30]

Originally Posted by Bones

Any update on this????????

Yep. Popcorn went to see the vet this morning, and the vet took a look at everything and re-dressed the wound. He said that at this stage, it was best not to do anything else except keep it clean and keep an eye out for signs of infection.

The vet claims that cats heal exceptionally fast from wounds like this, and everything should be fine unless infection becomes a problem.

The kitty is running around the house as happy as she can be, meowing at everybody, and even playing with the dog today.

Thanks for the good advice.

[Midnight Lady]

Good news!!!!

[schmidlin]

I love this place. Good for you all!

[Tone Disciple]

That's great news! Glad your cat is okay. I hope I did not alarm you with my concern. In the end your cat is alright and that is the important thing.

Now enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!