How serious is this injury? WARNING - graphic picture

First of all I wouldn't resort to a forum to check on this issue if it were my pet, but it's the neighbors cat.  The cat is always outside, never inside.  Even during most of the bitter winter.  It comes to my house often because we realized how hungry and cold it was and began letting him in to give him shelter, and of course feeding him.  



Either way, this happened to the cat yesterday.  I'm not expecting a vet's diagnosis but experienced cat owners may know enough to give me an idea if I should bring this cat to the vet myself immediately and pay out of my own pocket if it's serious or if it's not too serious I would be willing to take the chance that the true owner brings it to the vet herself.



As of last year the cat has not been given his rabies vaccination, which worries us even more for not only the cat's sake but our comfort level of letting him enter our home.  His behavior is not erratic (so far since the wound at least, though it may be too early).



The red arrow points out a little bump that I'm concerned about.  The owners put something on the wound (looks like vasoline but not sure what it really is) so that's what that is you see.



Thoughts?

That is nasty! Poor kitty! If I were in your position, I'd be taking that cat to a rescue organization or the SPCA for medical treatment.  Whoever "owns" him doesn't deserve to keep him. 

I'm thinking about it.  I just can't stand the poor treatment people give to animals.  They should be treated as though they are your children and provide them with shelter, food, and love.  If you can't provide that then perhaps you shouldn't own any.

OMG- please take that cat to a vet immediately. That also looks like a small puncture - a bite wound. How cruel and neglectful of the owner's of this poor cat. That cat needs medical attention, proper ointment and antibiotics. The cat must also stay indoors for a full recovery. I would take action. Poor baby. Thanks for helping this cat who needs you so.

Ouch I would be taking him to a vet, he at least needs a stitch or 5 and antibiotics to fight off infection.

You are so kind to be helping this kitty. I would never let him go back to the "owners."

It looks like they probably put polysporin on it.  I also think that the polysporin is probably making it look worse than it is.  Not tha it looks OK but at first it looked like his whole side was ripped open. Probably just needs a few stitches and a good cleaning out =)

I don't think the owners are as bad as everyone is making them out to be - they put cream on it which is more than I can say for most cat owners I know   I bet if you spoke wth them and told them the cat needs medical attention they would take it in.   

The location and the fact that if your anywhere its starting to warm up you will have a issue with flys/maggots.  The location means the cat cant lick it like a sore on the leg(seeing it as the left ear?)

If you have had a cat on antibiotics in past it may be worth seeing if they can refill it(say for a urinary infection)  If not call and explain and see what can be done.  They may be willing to give you something under the situation if your on good terms and they know yours are always treated. 

Something I have found useful is vetercycin not sure if sold in stores as I bought mine online as to have on hand.  I used it on myself first(got a nasty bite from a semi feral) worked well and didn't burn at all.  Changes skin a bit when applied but not permanent.  I bought the gel-expensive but worth it to me.

catsallaround said:

The location and the fact that if your anywhere its starting to warm up you will have a issue with flys/maggots.  The location means the cat cant lick it like a sore on the leg(seeing it as the left ear?)

If you have had a cat on antibiotics in past it may be worth seeing if they can refill it(say for a urinary infection)  If not call and explain and see what can be done.  They may be willing to give you something under the situation if your on good terms and they know yours are always treated. 

Something I have found useful is vetercycin not sure if sold in stores as I bought mine online as to have on hand.  I used it on myself first(got a nasty bite from a semi feral) worked well and didn't burn at all.  Changes skin a bit when applied but not permanent.  I bought the gel-expensive but worth it to me.

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Thanks for the input.  And yes, it is his left ear.

@Sugarcatmom:

Horrible advice. In most areas shelters are overloaded. I don't know what makes you think there are "rescue organizations" with huge resources out there to perform free unlimited vet care. In many shelters it is more likely to die along with lots of other "surplus" cats. I think you are deluded about the chances of adult cats to be adopted. 

Thrasymachus said:

@Sugarcatmom:
Horrible advice. In most areas shelters are overloaded. I don't know what makes you think there are "rescue organizations" with huge resources out there to perform free unlimited vet care. In many shelters it is more likely to die along with lots of other "surplus" cats. I think you are deluded about the chances of adult cats to be adopted. 

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While you are right about the fact that rescue organizations don't have the financial resources to treat any sick cat, I'd like to remind you that this is an education site. Unless you've worked with rescue organizations, you probably don't realize this. You will help more people by providing factual information without name calling.

Thrasymachus said:

@Sugarcatmom:

Horrible advice. In most areas shelters are overloaded. I don't know what makes you think there are "rescue organizations" with huge resources out there to perform free unlimited vet care. In many shelters it is more likely to die along with lots of other "surplus" cats. I think you are deluded about the chances of adult cats to be adopted. 

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That may indeed be the case where you live. But having trapped numerous cats in my neighbourhood that were suffering various injuries (you really think leaving them to suffer is a better option?) and getting them treatment paid for by local rescue agencies, I can say that that isn't the case everywhere. And the cats have all been adopted into loving homes, just to put your mind at ease. So as I said *that's what I would do*.

I have also been to local shelters when I picked up my current cat in 2009 and feral cats do not make good adoptions, at best they are barely socialized to humans. No kill shelters will not take any strays, municipal ones take them(but segregate them), feral organizations will maybe help trap and spay them. Most shelters almost anywhere are overloaded with people dumping their pets for mostly selfish reasons, strays, ferals and you would have us believe Vancouver(in a society were most people don't even have the discipline or time to cook their own meals) is a wonderland where they adopt out ferals, and thus this person should get their neighbors' outdoor cat taken away to be adopted... 

This world is not Shangri-la in your head. Believe whatever false narrative you want, it seems you have a need to. 

Thrasymachus said:

@Sugarcatmom:


Horrible advice. In most areas shelters are overloaded. I don't know what makes you think there are "rescue organizations" with huge resources out there to perform free unlimited vet care. In many shelters it is more likely to die along with lots of other "surplus" cats. I think you are deluded about the chances of adult cats to be adopted. 

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So how about you give your advice instead of picking at somebody else's advice? Educate instead of debate. Makes more sense to me. I don't even listen to people that come off as rude and know it all.

This someone else wants a fellow forumer to kidnap someone's else cat because they think the world is some utopia in their head, and that said cat can get a better deal that way. 

As for the actual "graphic picture" it is not even a serious or infected wound. I get worse open wounds on myself all the time from mountain biking that I do not even notice till I shower or take off my clothes. It is more something you can attribute to the fact that most people think it ought to cost alot of money for people to live or to have pets, and that you should run to the vet for everything. 

Thrasymachus said:

This someone else wants a fellow forumer to kidnap someone's else cat because they think the world is some utopia in their head, and that said cat can get a better deal that way. 

As for the actual "graphic picture" it is not even a serious or infected wound. I get worse open wounds on myself all the time from mountain biking that I do not even notice till I shower or take off my clothes. It is more something you can attribute to the fact that most people think it ought to cost alot of money for people to live or to have pets, and that you should run to the vet for everything. 

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OMG! yeah you may get worse open wounds but you can clean them and get medical attention if you need it and you are not stuck outside all the time at risk of infection. I don't have a lot of cash right now but if you have pets and they become ill they need to see a vet, same as when we are ill we go to the doctors.Get real.

Please review the Forum Rules:

There is always room for different opinions, however, intolerance, bigotry, and religious ridicule will not be tolerated. Additionally, there is no room for flames, slams, and personal vendettas that carry on to the public view.

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@york:  how friendly is the cat; how friendly/approachable are the owners?  If the cat is outside all the times, the owners may not have noticed the wound.

I'd approach the owners and tell them about the wound.  If they seem as though they don't care, then I'd either call your regular vet to see if he will prescribe an antiobiotic over the phone (doubtful because of liability issues).  Or, take him in yourself.  But make clear that you are just a cat lover, you do not own the cat (if vaccination agaisnt rabies is required in your state/county, then the owner could be liable for a fine.)

Note that if the vet suspects the wound is the result of a fight, the vet may be required by city/county/law law to quarantine the animal, for a long (six month?) period of time.  That could have unintended consequences.

As a vet tech, I've seen worse, but that isn't to say that it doesn't need care. It doesn't look infected yet, and the stuff they are putting on it may be doing some good. I don't think it needs stitches as there isn't anything really to stitch together. Plus if you stitch it closed, it would have an increased chance of abscess. Also it would need to be debrided as it is an old wound. It would be good to shave the surrounding hair to keep it out of the wound and then keep applying an antibiotic cream to it. It will probably granulate in and be fine other than a scar. The minute that it gets infected though treatment would change. So far so good I say...

Ritz said:

@york:  how friendly is the cat; how friendly/approachable are the owners?  If the cat is outside all the times, the owners may not have noticed the wound.

I'd approach the owners and tell them about the wound.  If they seem as though they don't care, then I'd either call your regular vet to see if he will prescribe an antiobiotic over the phone (doubtful because of liability issues).  Or, take him in yourself.  But make clear that you are just a cat lover, you do not own the cat (if vaccination agaisnt rabies is required in your state/county, then the owner could be liable for a fine.)

Note that if the vet suspects the wound is the result of a fight, the vet may be required by city/county/law law to quarantine the animal, for a long (six month?) period of time.  That could have unintended consequences.

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The cat is friendly.  He can be bashful at times and his level of alertness to quick human movements is still in effect, but I think it's as a result of being more feral than a pet where they are more trustworthy of humans.  Nothing I don't feel won't change if he was given much more attention than what he is given now.  The owners are nice people, they just simply neglect the cat.  

Kattiekitty said:

As a vet tech, I've seen worse, but that isn't to say that it doesn't need care. It doesn't look infected yet, and the stuff they are putting on it may be doing some good. I don't think it needs stitches as there isn't anything really to stitch together. Plus if you stitch it closed, it would have an increased chance of abscess. Also it would need to be debrided as it is an old wound. It would be good to shave the surrounding hair to keep it out of the wound and then keep applying an antibiotic cream to it. It will probably granulate in and be fine other than a scar. The minute that it gets infected though treatment would change. So far so good I say...

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Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your advice.  We've been keeping an eye on him and his wound seems to be getting better, although the owners never brought him to the vet.  I feel bad for not bringing him myself but with work interfering and the fact that I simply can't be in this business of helping every needy animal I come across all the time (although I wish I could) since money doesn't grow on trees I decided to wait and if he takes a turn for the worse then I'll take him regardless of what the owners say.  If I need to, I'll take the cat in myself with or without their blessings.  Every cat I've ever owned, including the one I have now, are strays.  It's just unfortunate people treat them this way.  Where's Bob Barker when you need him?