Sweet stray cat with strange injury?

This cat wandered up to my door. I've seen him loose over the past couple of weeks or so wandering the neighborhood. We posted signs for him thinking he belonged to someone locally. He's just as good as gold. Used the cat box, and likes people (which is more than I can say for my current cat, El Gato del Diablo. (aka Mojo)
I've kept them separated, and used separated food/water and litter boxes...
Soooo...any idea what this swelling and wound may be??
Pretty kitty


OUCHY!!!!! Look at the swelling!!








I can't really afford 2 cats, vet-wise, and my house is pretty full with reptile rescues I have (and my current BIG ATTITUDE of a cat, Mojo)
So aside from the Humane Society (who I am not so sure will be very helpful since they are quite full)...I am sooo very tempted to keep him..
I have a vet appt Friday if I can't come up with better arrangements, I will at least get him looked at.
Anything I can do in the meantime??
The swelling is soft, like soft fluid/pus..No weeping, and the wound is almost like a blistery surface, smooth, (other than the swelling around it)

NEXT friday a vet appt??? I would go sooner ... it could be nothing but it could be a ABCESS

The soonest I can see my normal vet is Friday.
I was worried about abcess from another cat bite, or something otherwise..
I was set on my vet, since he's always been good to my animals, and I'm established with him. I may end up having to go elsewhere

Please just get kitty looked asap

umm I would definately go elsewhere

It does look like an abcess to me. Would your vet prescribe medication prior to your appointment?

This is going to sound really gross, but do you have grub worms there? I think that is what they are called....maybe cattle grubs? They are a fly that lays this egg that turns into a larve and makes a hole and swelling just like that. I now live in an area with them and have seen them on a cat, dog and horse. YUCKY! but not harmful. You are not supposed to squeeze them because then the worm can die and then it will get really infected.

Is it hot like an abcess or actually painful?

If it is an abcess try putting warm packs on it, that should draw it out of the wound. Also an abcess is going to grow in size pretty rapidly and kitty will get sick, run a temp and not want to eat.

I agree with getting him to the vet as soon as possible. Maybe the HS will have their vet look at him for a reduced cost if you will keep him? He is a gorgeous kitty and obvioulsy friendly.

Thank you for looking out for this guy!!!!

IF you can't get into the vet sooner...
It looks like an abscess to me. Years ago (Junior High) I had a cat named Baby who was indoor/outdoor. He had a recurring abscess on his shoulder. I didn't even think to have it looked at at the time, I just treated it myself. Usually the area was a little warm, and the hair would start falling out.
I used a sterilized needle and popped the abscess and then drained it. I cleaned it up with hydrogen peroxide (which I now know is a no no I guess iodine would be better) and in a few days he was fine. Never acted sick or even really noticed me draining it.
Nowadays, I might drain it still, but I would also take him in to get vet checked and probably a round of antibiotics.
I don't know if this is the best advice, but I did routinely treat our pets for scrapes, cuts, abscesses and even a trip through a car fan belt for one of them, by myself.
I will say though, if you can get him in sooner to the vet, you probably should.

Devlyn

Seb has had a couple of abcesses over the years and that does look like one to me. Is there any way your vet could squeeze you in a bit earlier for something like this? You are so sweet to care for this beautiful guy

I agree that maybe your vet could see the kitty earlier? You might ask if you could drop the kitty off to be seen if the vet has a lull during the day. I wouldn't want to wait as abscesses tend to get more infected (and more expensive) with waiting.

Thanks guys!

I have a really good relationship with my vet, I deal with him quite often with other animals, as I'm working towards a rehab license.
I called him at home late last night, and explained I was really concerned about the swelling, etc.. he said will try to squeeze him in Monday afternoon and to call the offc Monday AM. I'll just let the vets deal with the ouchy. I've treated reptiles with abcesses, but I'm out of my element with mammals. I have some antibiotics here, but its for reptiles, and I wouldn't want to mess around with trying to treat the cat.
Whatever is going on, there is no heat or redness on the area, just the red blisterlike scab, and soft swelling.

Hubby says we can't keep both, and my other cat (Mojo) would not fit well anywhere else (besides a farm, he's a wild one! ) so, I'm sure I can find a good home for the striped one since he's such a sweetie.
My other cat is NOT a people friendly cat, and has caused a few nice scars on all of us..lol We still love him though.

I'll keep you posted on what the vet says.

Thanks for your help! This is a nice forum! I'll stick around and learn something
I'll also post some pics and quick video links of Mojo & some more of the little stray

He is a cutie; good luck at the vet Monday, and in finding him a new home. Nice of you to care about him : )

Originally Posted by kittymonsters

This is going to sound really gross, but do you have grub worms there? I think that is what they are called....maybe cattle grubs? They are a fly that lays this egg that turns into a larve and makes a hole and swelling just like that. I now live in an area with them and have seen them on a cat, dog and horse. YUCKY! but not harmful. You are not supposed to squeeze them because then the worm can die and then it will get really infected.

Click to expand...

Uck, that is pretty nasty. So, is it that they get in under the skin? How do you remove them if you aren't supposed to pick at it? I guess this is why I am glad Mari stays inside...uck.

Don't Bot flies do that too?? UGH I hate worms..LOL

I called my mom, and her neighbor, who is a vet, took a quick look at the area, and promptly disinfected and lanced the wound. A little clear fluid came out. We treated it with some triple antibiotic, and started him on a round of antibiotics.
I had to go to a soccer game, when I came back, there was NO swelling, and all kinds of REALLY nasty stuff on my clean clothes..UGH! So all the pus ran out and it is still draining. She said to leave it and keep it clean and keep the antibiotics going, and it should stop draining in 24hrs.

It was quite obviously a cat bite puncture wound under the blister. I blame Mojo.