Doctoring a kitty

calico2222

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I know a lot of people here have had to do first aid on their cats. How do you handle it?

Little One was allowed to go outside for short periods of time. Last time she came home with a limp. The limp turned into a nasty infection where she couldn't put any weight on it, and her front leg was swollen to twice it's size. The vet said there are no broken bones, and no toxins (so no poisonous snake bite) and to keep gauze wrapped around it and clean it out with peroxide every night.

We've been doing that, and squeezing puss out (sorry, I know it's gross). The infection went all the way up her leg, and now there are new sores on her elbow and in her armpit (leg pit?).

It just breaks my heart everynight to do this to her. I know it is helping her, and she is much better...she is up hopping around, eating, using the litterbox, taking an interest in what is going on around her. But, she just screams and howls when we have to clean it out and change the dressing. My husband has to wrap her in a towel and wear gloves so she doesn't bite him while I try to squeeze more gunk out of her leg then dress it and give her antibiotics. I end up with tears in my eyes most nights because I know it hurts her, but it needs to be done.

How do other people handle it? I used to think about going back to school to be a vet tech, but I don't know if I could handle doing that so often. Of course, it might be easier if it wasn't my own baby.
 

swampwitch

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I have a hard time with stuff like that, too. I had to give my Wilda shots the last weeks of her life... I did it out of pure love for her but it was sooo difficult for me.

I'm so glad there are people who can do these things, too, and they have my thanks and respect.
 

laureen227

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i've cried before when trying to medicate mine, especially when Mouse was so ill, & she wasn't even fighting me. it's hard... just keep on keeping on
 

strange_wings

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I've had to clean up several cats and dogs over the years. It's no fun but it's better then letting the infection get worse.


One thing I can suggest, don't squeeze if you don't have to. The leg will be sore and inflamed from infection and squeezing will really hurt. If you can soak your cat's leg in warm water and epsom salt once or twice a day it will help. The warm water is soothing, if you can get the cat to settle down they tend to relax after a few minutes.


I actually finding bathing to be worse. It takes longer and the whole time the cat or dog is giving you this horrible look like you're torturing them.
 
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calico2222

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

I've had to clean up several cats and dogs over the years. It's no fun but it's better then letting the infection get worse.


One thing I can suggest, don't squeeze if you don't have to. The leg will be sore and inflamed from infection and squeezing will really hurt. If you can soak your cat's leg in warm water and epsom salt once or twice a day it will help. The warm water is soothing, if you can get the cat to settle down they tend to relax after a few minutes.


I actually finding bathing to be worse. It takes longer and the whole time the cat or dog is giving you this horrible look like you're torturing them.
We tried to think of a way to soak her leg to draw some of it out, but honestly, with this cat (who HATES water) I don't think we could get her to settle down. I wish we could. I've actually thought about trying it and giving her a dose of Monster's valium before hand to calm her down. But, then I was afraid that she would be so stoned she would hurt her leg worse. Or, she may just relax and enjoy it....I don't know. I just hate causing her pain, even if it is needed to make her better.
 

dragoriana

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If we've had problems with our kitties they've gone straight to the vet, but obviousely there is the after care. Like when Charlie had an abscess on his head (at the other house), the vet drained it, but every day we had to push along the skin to make sure it was clean and put antiseptic on it. Same with when he got attacked on his back and front leg, cleaning it every day. If i was trained as an animal tech obviousely i would do everything, but we take them to the professionals so we know they are in good hands
 

gailc

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When Ox had wounds due to a cat fight that got infected I heated up a wet washcloth in the microwave and would try to keep it on the injured wounds for a couple of minutes or longer.

I've dealt with many injuries over the years and its not alot of fun.
 
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