Injury question

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  • #11324
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    How do you know when to take your animal to the vet? I went home for lunch and noticed something odd about Chloe’s back leg. I finally got a good look, and what I had seen from a distance was a gash her in her leg. No longer bleeding, but apparently fresh – it wasn’t there when I left this morning. I have no idea what happened. She is not limping, no crying…. do I let it go and heal itself? Do I do anything to help? AAUUUUGGHHH !!! I don’t know what to do!

    #64395
    GreatDane
    Participant

    I wonder if you could clean it a bit yourself, since it’s not bleeding and she’s not bothered enough to limp on it.

    #64396
    CatRancher
    Participant

    I would take her to the vet, at the very least to put her on antibiotics. Is is possible she had an abcess that burst?

    #64397
    anncetera2
    Participant

    If I were you, I’d try to clean it up a bit and put on some antibiotic ointment. You should try to get a better look, and see if it looks deep or shallow.

    If it’s shallow, it’ll cause her some discomfort, but chances are it won’t be dangerous to her as long as it’s kept relatively clean.

    If it’s deep, but she’s not limping or showing obvious discomfort, I’d clean it and put on ointment daily. If it shows *any* sign of becoming infected, such as pus, drainage or inflammation, I’d take her to the vet and probably pick up antibiotics.

    If it’s a puncture wound, I’d keep a very close eye on it. These are the ones that tend to abscess, since the infection doesn’t really have anywhere to drain. Luckily, cats seem to be pretty good about healing, but puncture wounds can be problematic. Clean it as best you can.

    #64398
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Thanks all…. what do I use to clean it? and what kind of ointment that if she licks it off, won’t hurt her?

    #64399
    KYKAT 12 23
    Participant

    OP, I have used neosporin on my cats and have had no ill effects. Clean it with peroxide. Depending on how thick her coat is you might want to trim away the hair from around the gash. Keep a very close eye on it and when in doubt, take her to the vet. Also look around the house and see if you can find what she cut herself on and deal with it.

    Poor chloe you will need to give her some treats for being a good girl after you get her leg cleaned and dressed

    #64400
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    OK.. I have peroxide and Neosporin. She has short hair, so that should help. I have already searched the house and can’t come up with anything… unless she got in the recycle container under the sink. I use an empty kitty litter bucket… and there was a can with open lid there. I don’t see any blood anywhere though. Only on the cloth that covers the sewing machine where she likes to lay and look out the window, and the amount is minimal.

    I’ll see if I can get a better look and do the cleaning/medicating tonight.

    Thanks ppearson…

    #64401
    anncetera2
    Participant

    One Popoki, I’d cut the peroxide 50/50 with water (sterile water if you’ve got any). Straight peroxide can be a little harsh on living tissues, and the amount of bubbling might startle your cat a bit.

    #64402
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Good idea anncetera2! I know how it hurts when I’ve used it on me.

    #64403
    Sylmiafelixsmama
    Participant

    Oh poor Chloe. Sounds like you have it all covered. Healing thoughts for Chloe.

    #64404
    TheKnittingNinja
    Participant

    if you don’t have sterile water boil it for atleast 10 min

    #64405
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Thanks bustersmomma.. that was my next question. 🙂

    #64406
    TheKnittingNinja
    Participant

    Also watch for any drainage, clear is good, as that means it is just body fluid, But if you get any cloudy or colored drainage take her to the vet ASAP as that is an infection. BTW if it is a puncture wound take her to the vet, that requires antibiotics and punctures are perfect breeding places for anaerobic bacteria which are much harder to kill.

    #64407
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    I’ll have to get a good close look … the wound is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. The only other possibility I can even think of is she got burned on the iron this morning. I need to look at the iron when I get home.. see if there is any clue there.

    I’ll check back here later. Time to go home, and then off to visit Dad and on to class. Thanks all for the words of advice.

    #64408

    OP,

    If you have or can get Panalog is what I have always used on my pets. It’s and antibiotic for animals whether deep or not, and apparently won’t hurt them if they lick it.

    I know this is late.

    Good luck.

    #64409
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Putting on ointment and a dressing didn’t work. LOL plus she licked the ointment off and started it bleeding again. I’m going to let her be tonight and see how it goes tomorrow. She doesn’t favor it and has stopped licking it for now. I’ll check into Panalog tomorrow.

    #64410
    GreatDane
    Participant

    If she licks it off, can you maybe wrap her leg in a bandage? Or bathe her leg with antibacterial soap.

    #64411
    GreatDane
    Participant

    Just had a thought: I lived with a family once, where the cat got declawed, and the paws of course were trying to heal up (I know, poor kitty!)- the vet told us to bathe them in brown soap in water. Has anyone else heard about this? Maybe that would help?

    #64412
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    I had help last night cleaning it (peroxide and water) and trying to wrap her leg in a bandage.. uh… that was interesting. No wrap on her leg. LOL Looked at this morning and it looks pretty good. For now I’ll just watch it for infection.

    I was also the ‘nervous mom’… the cut isn’t as long as I though.. maybe an inch at the most. Friend who helped is a nurse and she didn’t seem to think it was that deep.

    No more active bleeding and it hasn’t stopped her from running and jumping. Thanks again !!!

    #64413
    GreatDane
    Participant

    Yay, that’s good news, One Popoki! Hugs to little Chloe!

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