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Keep us updated! I really hope there isn't dying tissue. That just sounds gross!
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YIKES...Brown Recluse Spider Bite
- Thread starter beandip
- Start Date
This sounds just like what happened to me, even got bitten on the shin, just below my knee! It took over three months to heal as well. My scar is 1/2 inch in diameter, looks like a large bore bullet wound.
I feel so bad for Leopold! It is so lucky you saw it happen. I felt my bite, but really didn't think anything of it. I was at work. then a few hours later it started to feel like a burn. I went into the bathroom and it looked like a large blister filled with milky fluid. I still didn't think much of it. The next morning, about 18 hours later my entire leg, from my thigh to my ankle was infected, cellulitis. Antiboitics helped, and I had to keep going in for cautery of the necrotic tissue.Originally Posted by beandip
Thanks for your comments and positive thoughts.
I still can't believe I saw the whole thing happen.
I'm dreading next Friday...that will be the 7 day mark. The rest of the events went on exactly as described in the articles I read. First 2 hours, no significant pain, 2-6 hours after bite - more pain, more swelling....12 hours later - blister...7 days later ...dying tissue around the bite. I'm worried about that. Hopefully things will remain under control.
The biggest thing I worry about is systemic immune system effects. I got cellulitis three times in the six months after being bitten, I also got very, very sick with encephalitis and then they discovered I had several autoimmune diseases. Now, the doctors don't know if the bite triggered something, or if I was already ill and because of that I reacted more negatively to the bite.
You are doing all you can do Being hyper vigilant is the key. If you even think he is "off" call the vet. I am glad you are giving the antibiotics by injection. I have one I have to do that for, but it so much better than her getting anorexia just at the thought of something nasty tasting in her mouth. Leopold doesn't need anything nasty tasting in his mouth. Poor sweet boy.
Lots of vibes coming from me and my crew!
I hope he recovers soon! I have never seen one, but I know they are around and they can cause horrible wounds, sores, and even open, infections. They are not to be taken lightly.
I'm glad you were able to get him in so quickly! Poor boy! Here's to a speedy recover!
I'm glad you were able to get him in so quickly! Poor boy! Here's to a speedy recover!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #25
Wow, that sounds terrible. Did the blister keep popping and reforming? I'm concerned about Leopold's drooling fits. Examining the inside of his mouth is not an easy task at the moment. There's no rhyme or reason to the drooling. Sometimes he smells something that's normally good (treats) and off he goes in a panic, drooling. The next time he smells them, he wants them - no drooling. I pet the top of his head about twice before he runs off - drooling. He squints his eyes right before it starts happening too (bad taste?). The only thing he's happy with is his regular wet cat food...thankfully no problems there.
My blister popped once then turned into a giant hole that went almost to the bone. the flesh was just gone, liquified basically. Once it started healing it did seep pus on and off. The hole had to heal from the depth up to the surface. It never scabbed over, so to speak.
With Leopold, since the bite is in his mouth and mucus membranes heal very quickly he very well could be having it heal over and then re-burst.
He sounds so much like my Zoe. She burnt her esophogus on a Baytril tablet once. After that she is a psycholgical drooler. It is weird, hearing an amoxicilling bottle being shaken will cause her to drool, even if I am nowhere near her and it isn't for her. It is possible he is psychological stress drooling
Did he get bit on the palate,cheek, tongue, gum line? Or can you tell? I am wondering if he got bit near a salivary gland. If so the swelling could cause it to block up, then build up to the point it makes a big spurt.
With Leopold, since the bite is in his mouth and mucus membranes heal very quickly he very well could be having it heal over and then re-burst.
He sounds so much like my Zoe. She burnt her esophogus on a Baytril tablet once. After that she is a psycholgical drooler. It is weird, hearing an amoxicilling bottle being shaken will cause her to drool, even if I am nowhere near her and it isn't for her. It is possible he is psychological stress drooling
Did he get bit on the palate,cheek, tongue, gum line? Or can you tell? I am wondering if he got bit near a salivary gland. If so the swelling could cause it to block up, then build up to the point it makes a big spurt.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #27
That sounds like a horrible ordeal that you went through.
The psychological drooling is a good possibility. DH brought up the salivary gland possibility too. I'm not sure where the exact location of the bite is. The first bit of swelling that I noticed was his lower lip on the left side. Then it spread to his chin, then his neck and jaw on the left.
I think he'll be visiting the vet again in the next few days. I think the location of the bite should be more obvious now(?)...maybe we'll know better after she takes another look.
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I would wonder....if he got bit in the mouth....is it even remotely possible that his gums are infected or something got in there? I had my Fafeena to the vet she was drooling. Turns out she had something get stuck in her gums & they got infected. She had drooling "fits". I dunno. Just a thought?
I think you will be able to get a better idea of where the actual lesion is in the next few days. It sounds like it very well could be affecting the left sided salivary gland from the swelling description. I feel so bad for your beautiful boy.
I am very encourged that he is eating and that there hasn't been a large open lesion developing on his lip or chin. Those are really good signs.
Oh my, poor Leopold. He's lucky you saw what was happening and got him to the vet right away. I get freaked out and have to get any bugs when I see the cats "stalking" something across the floor or on a wall.
I don't have any advice, just wanted to pass on some healing vibes.
I don't have any advice, just wanted to pass on some healing vibes.
Nasty things. Worse than Black Widows in a lot of ways because the flesh rots and dies if it goes for too long.
Not sure how it affects cats but I watched something on the discovery channel and a college student had been bitten in the school library on the hand, 24 hours later he had red lines running up his arm to his chest and he couldn't walk. Much longer and he would have been dead. He was kept in the hospital for 6 weeks i believe.
I've never seen one myself, I've read that they don't usually stay in high traffic areas though. They like setting up nests around books or in old barns from what I know of them.
Not sure how it affects cats but I watched something on the discovery channel and a college student had been bitten in the school library on the hand, 24 hours later he had red lines running up his arm to his chest and he couldn't walk. Much longer and he would have been dead. He was kept in the hospital for 6 weeks i believe.
I've never seen one myself, I've read that they don't usually stay in high traffic areas though. They like setting up nests around books or in old barns from what I know of them.
oh poor kitty! That is great your taking such good care of him. I hope you find out more at the next vet visit.
I would hire an exterminator..I wouldn't chance having any more of those around for your sake and the cats! I'm sure the cost of having that done will be cheaper then vet & doctor bills..
Plus not to mention all the pain.
Big hugs for you and your cats! Please keep us updated..He sounds very tough!
I would hire an exterminator..I wouldn't chance having any more of those around for your sake and the cats! I'm sure the cost of having that done will be cheaper then vet & doctor bills..
Big hugs for you and your cats! Please keep us updated..He sounds very tough!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #34
Thanks for the continued vibes and thoughts.
There will definitely be some exterminating going on here.
Hmm I don't know. He's on antibiotics so that should take care of something like that, but who knows.
Yes, me too. I seriously have this horrible fear that I'll wake up one day soon and he'll have a hole in his face.
Yes, that's what I've heard too. Our house is really old (built 1894)...I shudder to think how many could be in the walls and/or attic.
There will definitely be some exterminating going on here.
When I was searching the other day I found a site that showed pictures of a poor lama that had been bitten on the side of his face. The wound turned into a giant hole in his face and the poor thing couldn't eat and had to be tube fed.
I'm sorry to say that the poor lama didn't make it
despite their best efforts.
I sure hope your baby fairs a whole lot better! I am keeping your brave boy in my thoughts.
I would take him to the vet again before the 7 days to have him looked at, and ask the vet about nutrition if your boy has a problem eating and drinking.
I'm sorry to say that the poor lama didn't make it
I sure hope your baby fairs a whole lot better! I am keeping your brave boy in my thoughts.
I would take him to the vet again before the 7 days to have him looked at, and ask the vet about nutrition if your boy has a problem eating and drinking.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #36
I saw the llama pictures. Oh my.Originally Posted by Natalie_ca
When I was searching the other day I found a site that showed pictures of a poor lama that had been bitten on the side of his face. The wound turned into a giant hole in his face and the poor thing couldn't eat and had to be tube fed.
I'm sorry to say that the poor lama didn't make itdespite their best efforts.
I sure hope your baby fairs a whole lot better! I am keeping your brave boy in my thoughts.
I would take him to the vet again before the 7 days to have him looked at, and ask the vet about nutrition if your boy has a problem eating and drinking.
We have an appoinment for Tuesday afternoon. Depending on how it looks tomorrow, we'll probably go again at the end of the week too.
So far he's eating and drinking pretty well. Hopefully that will continue.
He did get up on the bed and harass me at 6 o'clock this morning. That's a good sign. He usually does that every day, but hadn't since the bite.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Poor Leopold!! I'm going to print this out and show it to DH, who doesn't understand why I don't just let the cats eat the bugs they find.
The boys and I are sending lots of {{{speedy recovery vibes}}} your way!
How is Leopold today?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #40
Thanks for checking in.
We just got back from the vet. His mouth looks really good. The vet seems confident that we're out of the woods...she said just finish the antibiotics, make sure he eats, and keep an eye on him in general....call if anything changes. I guess the moral of the story is to get prompt treatment!
He has lost 1/2 lb since Friday. He's been eating but not as much as I would like. Today he did finish his lunch, that's an improvement. Not quite as much drooling today, but I have seen him shake his head a few times...like he does right before he starts drooling.
And yesterday, he didn't even seem to notice the needle when I gave him the shot, so I think I'm getting better at that. I let the vet do it today, though. Had to take advantage of that.
Thanks for your concern, everyone...Leopold and I appreciate it.
