I don't even know how to title this. I don't even know what to say. I'm completely in a state of panic right now and don't know what to do. What I do know is that there is nothing I need to do this evening and that I should let myself get some rest, but I can't help but worry about my little guy.
I noticed tonight, as I was playing our evening round of laser pointer and Da Bird that Finn had a spot of blood on his outer leg -- around the thigh area (femur). At first, I thought it was another one of his red spots (he's a red and white tabby), but I knew he had no known spot there. So, I picked him up and he struggled, which was very unlike him. I determined that he did, indeed, have a bloody spot on his leg, but no obvious injury. The skin was raw and the fur missing, but there was nothing that stood out to me. I then wrapped him in a towel and looked at him more closely while my roommate held him. I then saw that he had a 2-3 inch area of bare skin on the inside of his thigh (femur). He was fighting me something terrible and hissing and crying out and so it was difficult to get a good look, but I did what I could (my roommate was definitely uncomfortable holding him). The area was scaly, but more like it had been an abrasion though there were no obvious marks. It wasn't red and I felt no discernable lumps or bumps. There were no bite wounds or bug bites. But, it was apparent that he had been chewing and/or licking the fur off of both the inside and outside of his leg. He had no other lesions and, until maybe last night, I noticed nothing unusual. In retrospect, I do recall him standing on his hind legs and licking at himself, but I thought, at the time, that he was grooming. Now, of course, I know otherwise.
He ate all of his meals today and drank water throughout the day. He is alert and active. However, he was a bit quiet today. I thought it had something to do with the sudden change in temperature (it had been in the low-to-mid 70's but was in the upper 80's today), but I'm now wondering if he was not himself due to whatever is causing the issue with his leg. Since I brush him daily and never noticed anything, this has to have come up within the last 24-48 (maybe 72) hours. And, obviously, it's only been visible today. He is treated with Revolution monthly and has no fleas and is a strictly indoor cat. There have been no recent additions and nothing has happened out of the ordinary. He is on the same food, Taste of the Wild, and we're in the middle of a bag. For wet food, nothing has been added or removed from the rotation. And, the other 3 cats show no signs of anything being wrong. Finn is a rough and tumble kitty (at almost a year old) and does get into things, but all living spaces are cat-proofed. He and the other cats get along without any major issues and so I don't think it is related to them. And, the dogs and cats generally ignore one another. If nothing else, they lay together. But, again, there has been nothing unusual with my dogs either (Mackenzie does have a yeast infection in her ear, but because she's not been feeling well, she hasn't even been around the cats).
With all that being said, I feel relatively safe in saying that I don't think it's ringworm. There has been no known exposure. I don't know what I'd be looking for in that case, but I doubt that's it -- especially since he is 100% indoors and no other human or animal has shown symptoms or signs (and I have a weak immune system). I also feel safe saying that it's not a flea issue -- though he could've been bitten and is reacting to an allergy. Allergies are possible, but the area doesn't fit. And, while it could be purely behavioral, Finn is a very laid-back cat. I don't see it being something like OCD or stress-related. Since I didn't see a bite or wound, I don't think it's that. So, what I'm thinking is that our possibilities are some kind of illness or injury internally that is causing him to act out due to pain, an injury having to do with that leg that he is reacting to, or...well, I guess, other than those two immediate thoughts, I haven't got a clue. I suppose my third assumption would be behavioral. I just don't know. I initially thought that maybe he had a UTI or was blocked and that was causing him pain, but he used the litter box normally. There was urine and stool in his litter pan and I witnessed him using them normally. So, really, I'm thinking he may of injured his leg at some point and is barbering now because of that. When I think about the last 24 hours, I see he hasn't been as active. He did play tonight and would jump on and off of my bed and even off of the ground, but he seemed to think about it more first. And, maybe I'm imagining things now that I noticed what was going on, but there may have been some favoring of that leg. But, really, I'm lost.
My hours at work were cut today since there were so many cancellations at the vet clinic and so I'm supposed to call around noon to see if they want me to go in tomorrow. I'm hoping I will and, if that's the case, Finnegan will be coming with. But, even if not, I'll be getting him in to see the vet as soon as possible. I am planning on calling first thing in the morning. My main concern is that I don't want him to continue biting or licking at himself. For the night, I put all of the cats in their crates to sleep (I wanted to limit his activity in case it is an injury). I have a very large kennel and a smaller one that Finn usually goes in if we have utility people or construction going on in the house. The 3 girls usually go together in the larger crate. But, I put Finn in with Cass and Laney tonight so he would have company and someone to snuggle with. I'm hoping that may deter his licking. Em is sleeping in the other crate and I'm sure she'll appreciate being away from everybody for a bit. But, I'm still worried. And, I'm so worried that I'm sitting here instead of sleeping. I've had a lot of losses lately as well as issues with both of my dogs. I feel guilty though I know I'm a good mom to them. Sometimes things just happen. Mackenzie has her ear infection, Maddie needed her anal sacs expressed -- those are hardly issues I created. But, when one of my babies is hurting, I hurt. And, I know something is not right where Finn is concerned. Now, if only I knew just what it was.
My roommate is rather unconcerned. She thinks I'm overreacting by even making sure he goes to the vet tomorrow. She's on me about money (though it's my money and I pay all of my expenses so it's not her business) and I know it's tight right now. Mackenzie's ear infection wound up being a hefty bill and then a lot of minor things happened that added up. It'll be difficult, but I'm not the kind of person to take a wait and see approach. She thinks it's a scrape and that it's nothing, but fur missing on both sides of one thigh with some scabbing and bleeding is hardly nothing. Cats hide their pain and for him to be acting out as he is, something is going on. I'm angry that she thinks I am being dramatic. I guess she doesn't understand how much my pets mean to me -- they're my family. She'd never hesitate if it were one of her dogs, but she's not as vigilant about her cats' health. Well, I am. And, he'll see the vet tomorrow no matter what. His office visit is free and I do get a discount. I know it'll all work out, but her added pressure is not something I need right now. And, thus, I feel alone in all of this.
Please, please send vibes that my baby is okay. None of the possibilities feel like good ones right now, but I need to focus on the fact that he is still eating, drinking, eliminating, and playing. He may not be as rambunctious, but he has interest in playing and that is good. It's nothing life-threatening at this moment. And, hopefully, it never will become such. I know I do tend to over-think and over-worry. But, it's only because I know that there are things that exist that can take my baby from me. I care about him and I love him and I want him to be happy and healthy. I do all that I can to ensure that...and then some...but, sometimes, things happen regardless. I know I'm going to need to go to sleep. I'm going to have to trust that he'll be okay overnight. It's hard because I want to watch him like a hawk, but that won't be good for either of us. And, so, he's tucked in for the night with his two sisters. And, I have a date with my alarm clock in the morning so that I can call the vet and get him in to be seen. But, in the meantime, the vibes really would be appreciated. For Finny. For the rest of my furry loves. And, for me too. Thank you.
I noticed tonight, as I was playing our evening round of laser pointer and Da Bird that Finn had a spot of blood on his outer leg -- around the thigh area (femur). At first, I thought it was another one of his red spots (he's a red and white tabby), but I knew he had no known spot there. So, I picked him up and he struggled, which was very unlike him. I determined that he did, indeed, have a bloody spot on his leg, but no obvious injury. The skin was raw and the fur missing, but there was nothing that stood out to me. I then wrapped him in a towel and looked at him more closely while my roommate held him. I then saw that he had a 2-3 inch area of bare skin on the inside of his thigh (femur). He was fighting me something terrible and hissing and crying out and so it was difficult to get a good look, but I did what I could (my roommate was definitely uncomfortable holding him). The area was scaly, but more like it had been an abrasion though there were no obvious marks. It wasn't red and I felt no discernable lumps or bumps. There were no bite wounds or bug bites. But, it was apparent that he had been chewing and/or licking the fur off of both the inside and outside of his leg. He had no other lesions and, until maybe last night, I noticed nothing unusual. In retrospect, I do recall him standing on his hind legs and licking at himself, but I thought, at the time, that he was grooming. Now, of course, I know otherwise.
He ate all of his meals today and drank water throughout the day. He is alert and active. However, he was a bit quiet today. I thought it had something to do with the sudden change in temperature (it had been in the low-to-mid 70's but was in the upper 80's today), but I'm now wondering if he was not himself due to whatever is causing the issue with his leg. Since I brush him daily and never noticed anything, this has to have come up within the last 24-48 (maybe 72) hours. And, obviously, it's only been visible today. He is treated with Revolution monthly and has no fleas and is a strictly indoor cat. There have been no recent additions and nothing has happened out of the ordinary. He is on the same food, Taste of the Wild, and we're in the middle of a bag. For wet food, nothing has been added or removed from the rotation. And, the other 3 cats show no signs of anything being wrong. Finn is a rough and tumble kitty (at almost a year old) and does get into things, but all living spaces are cat-proofed. He and the other cats get along without any major issues and so I don't think it is related to them. And, the dogs and cats generally ignore one another. If nothing else, they lay together. But, again, there has been nothing unusual with my dogs either (Mackenzie does have a yeast infection in her ear, but because she's not been feeling well, she hasn't even been around the cats).
With all that being said, I feel relatively safe in saying that I don't think it's ringworm. There has been no known exposure. I don't know what I'd be looking for in that case, but I doubt that's it -- especially since he is 100% indoors and no other human or animal has shown symptoms or signs (and I have a weak immune system). I also feel safe saying that it's not a flea issue -- though he could've been bitten and is reacting to an allergy. Allergies are possible, but the area doesn't fit. And, while it could be purely behavioral, Finn is a very laid-back cat. I don't see it being something like OCD or stress-related. Since I didn't see a bite or wound, I don't think it's that. So, what I'm thinking is that our possibilities are some kind of illness or injury internally that is causing him to act out due to pain, an injury having to do with that leg that he is reacting to, or...well, I guess, other than those two immediate thoughts, I haven't got a clue. I suppose my third assumption would be behavioral. I just don't know. I initially thought that maybe he had a UTI or was blocked and that was causing him pain, but he used the litter box normally. There was urine and stool in his litter pan and I witnessed him using them normally. So, really, I'm thinking he may of injured his leg at some point and is barbering now because of that. When I think about the last 24 hours, I see he hasn't been as active. He did play tonight and would jump on and off of my bed and even off of the ground, but he seemed to think about it more first. And, maybe I'm imagining things now that I noticed what was going on, but there may have been some favoring of that leg. But, really, I'm lost.
My hours at work were cut today since there were so many cancellations at the vet clinic and so I'm supposed to call around noon to see if they want me to go in tomorrow. I'm hoping I will and, if that's the case, Finnegan will be coming with. But, even if not, I'll be getting him in to see the vet as soon as possible. I am planning on calling first thing in the morning. My main concern is that I don't want him to continue biting or licking at himself. For the night, I put all of the cats in their crates to sleep (I wanted to limit his activity in case it is an injury). I have a very large kennel and a smaller one that Finn usually goes in if we have utility people or construction going on in the house. The 3 girls usually go together in the larger crate. But, I put Finn in with Cass and Laney tonight so he would have company and someone to snuggle with. I'm hoping that may deter his licking. Em is sleeping in the other crate and I'm sure she'll appreciate being away from everybody for a bit. But, I'm still worried. And, I'm so worried that I'm sitting here instead of sleeping. I've had a lot of losses lately as well as issues with both of my dogs. I feel guilty though I know I'm a good mom to them. Sometimes things just happen. Mackenzie has her ear infection, Maddie needed her anal sacs expressed -- those are hardly issues I created. But, when one of my babies is hurting, I hurt. And, I know something is not right where Finn is concerned. Now, if only I knew just what it was.
My roommate is rather unconcerned. She thinks I'm overreacting by even making sure he goes to the vet tomorrow. She's on me about money (though it's my money and I pay all of my expenses so it's not her business) and I know it's tight right now. Mackenzie's ear infection wound up being a hefty bill and then a lot of minor things happened that added up. It'll be difficult, but I'm not the kind of person to take a wait and see approach. She thinks it's a scrape and that it's nothing, but fur missing on both sides of one thigh with some scabbing and bleeding is hardly nothing. Cats hide their pain and for him to be acting out as he is, something is going on. I'm angry that she thinks I am being dramatic. I guess she doesn't understand how much my pets mean to me -- they're my family. She'd never hesitate if it were one of her dogs, but she's not as vigilant about her cats' health. Well, I am. And, he'll see the vet tomorrow no matter what. His office visit is free and I do get a discount. I know it'll all work out, but her added pressure is not something I need right now. And, thus, I feel alone in all of this.
Please, please send vibes that my baby is okay. None of the possibilities feel like good ones right now, but I need to focus on the fact that he is still eating, drinking, eliminating, and playing. He may not be as rambunctious, but he has interest in playing and that is good. It's nothing life-threatening at this moment. And, hopefully, it never will become such. I know I do tend to over-think and over-worry. But, it's only because I know that there are things that exist that can take my baby from me. I care about him and I love him and I want him to be happy and healthy. I do all that I can to ensure that...and then some...but, sometimes, things happen regardless. I know I'm going to need to go to sleep. I'm going to have to trust that he'll be okay overnight. It's hard because I want to watch him like a hawk, but that won't be good for either of us. And, so, he's tucked in for the night with his two sisters. And, I have a date with my alarm clock in the morning so that I can call the vet and get him in to be seen. But, in the meantime, the vibes really would be appreciated. For Finny. For the rest of my furry loves. And, for me too. Thank you.
