Advice from cat owners

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My cat came in last night having been in a bad fight, puncture wound on his face and blood on his chest that looked like it was from where the bite mark on his face had dripped

I took him to the vet's today, he's a very loving and affectionate cat but can be aggressive in a situation like that, ( but never to me, he'll growl but never go for me )

The vet discovered a big gash on his underside near his armpit, it covers a fairly large area but is a very shallow surface level wound, but it was already showing signs of becoming septic, she gave him two injections,one of them an antibiotic and gave us antiseptic to clean the wound with twice daily and a cone to stop him licking the wound

I feel like a monster, when I diluted the antiseptic and washed his wound he was howling like I've never heard before, hiss at me and growling at me and for the first time he was attacking me, if the collar wasn't in he would have sunk his teeth in, he was thrashing around so I had to forcefully hold him down and do it,

I feel like I'm torturing my cat, especially as it must seem that way to him as he doesn't have the cognitive ability to know it's for his own good, once it was over he hissed at me whenever I approached him with treats,

Because of the cone he constantly tries to get it off by rubbing it over everything and he is constantly walking Into things, he cries by the catflap ( can't let him out for a week ) and looks incredibly miserable, and he hates me for a few hours after cleaning

If anyone has been in a situation similar to this, has your cat held it against you, of everyone in the family I have a close bond with him and I fear that it may be ruined, he seems scared of me after cleaning the wound and it makes me feel like a monster, iin?

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Based on 19 votes (10 yes)

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Comments ( 17 )

Couman

8 years ago

I've gone through various cat medical problems, and they don't like the treatment, but always seem to get over it. One thing I would suggest is to make sure you spend "some quality" time with him too. That way he doesn't get the idea that every time he sees you he can expect something unpleasant.

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Short4Words

8 years ago

What matters most, that your cat "loves" you or that you get it taken care of?

I'm pretty sure he'll get over it.

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mystery7

8 years ago

I had a cat who I had to take to the vet after a big fight and puncture wounds etc.

This might sound crazy, but prior to going to the vet I had a serious talk with her, I sat her down like I was talking to a person, and gave her lots of love and affection. And told her it might hurt but she has to stay calm.

When I took her to the vet she was unusually very calm, even with big dogs in the waiting room. I didn't even have a cat cage just a leash and sat her on my lap. She was amazing and stayed calm even with the vet shoving a thermometer up her ass and injecting her.

Talk to your cat! I think he'll understand on some level. Give him lots of pats and affection before and after.

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SuMaFTW

8 years ago

I think the cat will be over it after it all has passed. Be patient and know you're doing the best for the cat.

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snarkygirl

8 years ago

You should follow the vets advice and in the future don't allow your cat to roam and get in fight. Make sure he has his shots too!

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Dot123

8 years ago

That is normal for cats. They like to take care of themselves.

Just processed with caution. Maybe wear kitchen gloves, it helps if you have some sort of padding for protection. Try petting him before hand. Try making him feel comfortable and calm.

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Ellenna

8 years ago

Considering your cat wouldn't have been injured in a fight if you hadn't let it run around loose, it's your responsibility to take care of it now and to not let the same thing happen again

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  8 years ago
  
  You're not from the UK are you? We have a very different view of how to care for cat's, I and many others consider it cruel to confine a cat to a house
  
  I open the cat flaps at specific times and make sure they're out for no longer than an hour and a half at a time, don't call me an irresponsible owner, especially coming from someone who thinks its okay to confine animals like cats to a house, okay for some but depriving others of a basic need
  
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  - snarkygirl
    
    8 years ago
    
    Sorry but I agree. Outdoor cats have short brutal lives especially if they aren't neutered. A neutered cat will not likely get in fights. I believe animals on the wild should live " natural" but if you take one as a pet you should do everything to keep it safe.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      8 years ago
      
      My cat is neutered, he stays in our garden and the next for neibour occasionally but that's as far as he goes, a neutered cat won't wander off and fight for territory but it will still defend its own home from some cats
      
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      - LittleGirlThroatSlitSodomy
        
        8 years ago
        
        Nevermind Ellenna and snarky, you are only a bad owner if you allow a declawed cat outside. Some people will only have the front paws declawed. Whichever the case the less claw the cat has the more its ass is going to get kicked in a fight.
        
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        snarkygirl
        
        8 years ago
        
        Yes a declawed cat will starve or get eaten by a predator. A clawed cat can still get killed though:(
        
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      - snarkygirl
        
        8 years ago
        
        Well I guess you're doing your best. Just keep putting on the meds. And wear gloves so he doesn't bite or scratch. I felt bad shoving pills down my cats throat but I had to,
        
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  - Ellenna
    
    8 years ago
    
    I'm in Australia where many local councils have laws preventing cats from being off their owners' properties at any time, the same as dogs, introduced cats having wiped out millions of native species, some to the point of extinction. Many people build cat runs attached to the house, which allows the cat to come and go as it pleases but not all over the neighbourhood.
    
    So you reckon letting your cat run loose to get attacked is being responsible, do you? Or run over on the road? Or yowl when people are trying to sleep? Or kill native animals and birds? Or piss on doorsteps and shit in people's gardens?
    
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    - snarkygirl
      
      8 years ago
      
      If you live in the country or on a farm it's one thing but in most cases cats are perfectly happy indoors or within a yard. If you don't neuter your cat that's why he roams and gets in fights.
      
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      - Ellenna
        
        8 years ago
        
        I don't have a cat but I do live in the country and obviously that's exactly where cats destroy the most wildlife and I wouldn't have a cat or dog that wasn't neutered. Where I live there's actually a limit of two dogs and two cats per household and they have to be neutered after a certain age unless you're a registered breeder.
        
        I'd love to have a cat again, but I can't afford a cat run so I don't have one.
        
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        snarkygirl
        
        8 years ago
        
        Interesting. How do they enforce the laws? People here are supposed to get a dog license but nobody ever does.
        
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Advice from cat owners