Feral cat with open wound

xenajo

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I have 5 ferals cats.  I can pet all of them and pick up four out of the five.  My question is, the one feral cat went "missing" for a couple of days.  Shows up on Sunday with its front right leg swollen and he was limping.  I picked him up and noticed wounds on the leg.  I applied vaseline to them. I feed him wet food and water and he ate and drank.  I have been putting vaseline on everyday. 

Last night, I noticed the wounds are now draining pus.  There is no smell to it.  He sits on the deck and it just runs out.  I have been able to gentle squeeze it and more and more comes out.  Is this a good idea to keep on doing?  The cat meows but lets me do this.  I feel like I should take him to the vet to have the wound open more and drained but I really do not want to spend an arm and a leg on him since he is a feral cat.  Don't get me wrong.  I am truly an animal person and love the cats.  My fiancee is highly allergic to them.  That is one reason they are not inside.

I have him in a cat hut outside.  This is where he has been staying. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I didn't sleep that well last night as I'm worried sick about him.

Kelly
 

ritz

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Thank you for caring for the ferals.

Do you have a good relationship with a vet; maybe the vet could prescribe an antibiotic without actually seeing/examining the cat.  Either the kind  you put in a pill pocket, get formulated into a liquid and put in food, or a gel. 

Or, call your vet and ask him if you can put an over the counter/human antibiotic ointment (instead of Vaseline) on the wound.  My concern is, I don't know what would happen if the cat licked the antibiotic ointment made for humans.  If worried about dosage, mix the human antibiotic ointment with Vaseline and then apply it.

And, yeah, in an ideal world, you would take him to the vets.  Call the vet, explain the situation, and ask him how much he would charge to open the wound and drain it.  (Make sure he knows it is a friendly feral.)

Meanwhile, watch the wound carefully and if it shows any sign of infection or get reopened by accident, you definitely need to take him to the vets.

I help take care of a feral/stray cat colony, and "Hercules" showed up one day with a big chunk of fur missing. He is eating normally and his weight is okay.  But it looked as though the underlying fur had actually been shaved and the wound healing.  A few days later, when I could get a closer/clearer look at it, it appeared to have been professionally cleaned and sutured.   So, somewhere there is a good Samaritan.
 
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xenajo

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I only go to my vet once a year when I take my dog for her annual exam.

I did send them a message about the cat.  The cat is friendly with me but I don't know how friendly it will be with strangers.

My main concern is the wound with all the puss "dripping" down his leg.  So I know there is an infection.  I just would like to prevent it from getting alot worse and possible killing him.
 

ritz

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Sorry, I didn't know about the puss.  This is more serious, then.

I'd try calling the vet, again.  If there is a low cost animal clinic or low cost spay/neutered center where you live, call them; they may offer reduced rates for the vet care of a feral.

He needs to be seen by a vet or at a minimum, get some antibiotics in/on him.

You could try cleaning the wound and bandaging it, but if he is outdoors, he'll likely pull off the bandage, and risk getting it even more exposed to the elements.

(Ritz was semi-feral when rescued and is skittish with people.  But is 'scared silent' when at the vets; she is better behaved than some non-feral cats.)
 

di and bob

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My feral has had MANY draining wounds in his life, he loves to fight. He tangled with a raccoon last month and just about died. The swelling you saw most likely was an abcess and is now draining. They swell up and limp for quite a while before the abcess will burst. It takes a long time but should heal if things don't change. The drainage is somewhat clear and mixed with blood, if it gets cloudy and thick that is infection and should be treated immediately. Most vets will sell you antibiotics without a visit and you should try to get the cat started on them at the first sign of swelling. I try to give mine antibiotic medicine but he is so irregular as to the times he shows up it doesn't work. He drained for a week last time. He disappears for a week at a time too and I always think he's not coming back. The hair usually falls out around the wound too. You are lucky you can touch your cats,prolonged touching or trapping mine is impossible, believe me we've tried, and he's been fed by us for 5 years! I did get some antibiotic ointment from the vet that I apply very quickly when he comes close to eat, I only get one shot to touch him. It did seem to help him heal a lot faster. My house cats have been bitten before and have started to get an abcess, the vets can now give an antibiotic injection that lasts 10 days and that is great for cats like mine that are difficult to pill and refuse any meds on their food. One trip in is better than the frustration of trying to medicate at home!  
 
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xenajo

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This is the first time I have seen an injury that bad on one of my ferals.  They are friendly with me but also can be not so friendly.  I can hold the feral and wipe the drainage and put vaseline on but that is probably the limit. 

The ooze is definitely not clear and no blood.  It is discolored.  That is how I could tell it is infected.  I was able to "open" up to wound a little more last night when I was wiping the area down and then the infection was draining.

Thanks for all the info.
 
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xenajo

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Last night, I was able to really drain out the pus.  Gross sounding but alot did come out and he really didn't try to bite me.  I did contact a vet and if he is not better, I will be taking him on Friday.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Kelly
 

feralvr

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Hi Kelly and welcome! This is a serious infection and I would not treat it lightly. Please do not open the wound and try to release more pus by probing and proding the area. I appreciate so much that you are caring for your feral cats. :hugs: There are times when they need a vet immediately and this is one of those times. Most feral cats can and do heal miraculously on their own but in this case veterinarian intervention is necessary or the cat may become feverish and the infection can get into the bone. Your cat probably got into a fight but at this point it is not as important what caused this open wound---this cat needs veterinary medical attention. This wound may need to have dead tissue debrided, needs to have a deep cleaning performed, and definitely needs antibiotics. Keep us posted and much, much good luck to you and your feral cat. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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xenajo

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Took the cat to the vet. Staying for the weekend for Iv antibiotics and fluids. Blood work done. Will get results tomorrow. If negative then I have to decide whether to keep going or not. Already paid a lot. Don't know if I want to continue.
 

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 Will get results tomorrow. If negative then I have to decide whether to keep going or not. Already paid a lot. Don't know if I want to continue.
To avoid misunderstanding about the medicine language.  "negative test result" is what the patient hopes for.

"Positive test results" means the test did found the bacteria or disease you dont want there...

Holding thumbs!

Good luck!
 
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xenajo

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Spoke to the vet this morning.  No organ damage, no fractures, infection is not in the bone.  Does not have feline leukemia. Labs are out of whack due to the infection.  Cat seems to be improving.  Sill giving it fluids and antibiotics.  The vet did mention that there is a 70 to 80% chance the leg can not be saved.  The major problem I have is after I have spent close to $1500.00 on the cat, what do I do?  My fiancee is highly allergic to cats.  This is why they are outdoors.  If the vet has to take the leg off, he states he will not survive outside and has to become an indoor cat.  I can't take him indoors.  Do I take a chance and have his leg amputated and have him live outdoors or do I put him to sleep if the leg can't be saved?

I'm so conflicted on this.  I love animals and this is one reason why I'm putting out the money but on the other hand, I really can't afford anymore.

Any opinions?

Kelly
 
 

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Xenajo, would the vet be willing to give you any price breaks or help you place the cat?   Maybe an animal rescue group in your area could get involved?   You are a good soul helping this cat - these are hard decisions.
 

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Caring for an injured feral is so difficult.  Last year, 2 of my ferals got very bad respiratory illnesses.  Patches was tired and his eyes were a mess, but he was still eating.  Shadow on the other hand was lethargic and not eating.  I knew there was no way to get them to a vet.  The herpes virus they both had turned into a bacterial infection.  I had read about using Fish Mox from the pet store, but was really unsure.  I ended up stumbling upon a site from the South Pacific where you can order pet meds that have 1-2 years of shelf life left.  I was so scared and worried about ordering as I felt like I was buying from the black market!  I order some Clavamox in liquid form and it arrived in about 10 days.  I used it for Shadow and after just a few days, he was greatly improving.  I decided to order 2 more bottles to have on hand just in case. 

About 6 weeks ago, Shadow was attacked by another cat or raccoon.  He had a huge open wound on his back side.  It was bleeding, oozing and some puss.  I immediately started the Clavamox as well as using Rescue remedy, Arnica and then a few other homeopathic remedies.  Gerber Stage 1 Turkey is the best for mixing all meds.  Shadow loved it and took all his med 2x a day.  The wound did not get infected and although he was a bit soar, he recovered fairly quickly.  I now make sure to have a supply of antibiotics on hand in case of emergency.  If anyone would like the website, I would be happy to share.
 
 
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xenajo

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The vet just called.  I have a choice.  Either amputate the leg or put him to sleep.  I'm so torn.  I don't think he will be a house cat as he is getting very nasty with the girls taking care of him.  The infection is somewhat better. Not oozing as much.  But if they keep on treating him, he will be there for at least two weeks, maybe more.  Plus, after the wound heals, there could be more surgery that has to be performed.

I just don't know what to do.  I'm so torn up.
 

shadowsrescue

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The vet just called.  I have a choice.  Either amputate the leg or put him to sleep.  I'm so torn.  I don't think he will be a house cat as he is getting very nasty with the girls taking care of him.  The infection is somewhat better. Not oozing as much.  But if they keep on treating him, he will be there for at least two weeks, maybe more.  Plus, after the wound heals, there could be more surgery that has to be performed.

I just don't know what to do.  I'm so torn up.
I am so very sorry.  I know the decision must be very difficult.  You will be in my thoughts. 
 

ritz

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I sorry too.

Cats can survive on three legs if they don't have to fight for food, or fight off predators.

Yeah, hard decision.
 

catwoman707

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I wish I had seen your post before you spent 1500. at the vet!!

This tends to discourage future help from you, and there are other options.

I don't know about where you are, but my rescue group will take a cat like this one, as we have vets who deal with us as a non profit rescue and appreciate that we don't have money like that.

For example anytime I have a cat with stomatitis and need all of his teeth removed, I have a vet who will and has done this for $80.00. Anyone who is familiar with vet costs knows this is absurdly cheap.

We do our own antibiotics, fluids, etc and this cat would end up coming to me, as my home is where injured, sick, recovering cats stay.

If this cat has a leg injury that truly can't be fixed and he does need it amputated, then that's what would be done, then he would be recovered and either sent to a sanctuary or be acclimated to an outdoor home where he will be able to live safely outside but without predators and have a regular food source.

We have posts out there all the time for mouser cats, etc that we are looking for homes for.

This kitty will be able to be a mouser still, cats do fine on 3 legs and soon enough don't even miss it.

If you truly don't find any rescues who can help you with him, as hard as it is for me to say, then perhaps your solution for him is to humanely euthanize. So sad though, it should not have to be this way for the poor kitty. Not to mention the bill that is run up already, only to end the cat's life is awful....so sorry.

Just remember doing what's best for this kitty's life and future is what you need to consider.

Thank you for caring.
 
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xenajo

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An update on Tiger.  I had his right front leg amputated on Tuesday.  Very hard decision but when I went to see him on Monday night, he purred and purred, licked me and rub my head with his.  I didn't have the heart to put him down. 

I saw him last night and was scared at first.  He wanted to jump off the table, so I put him on the floor and was kind of heartbroken as he was walking like he was drunk.  Then I put him on my lap and he purred until he fell asleep.

I plan on bringing him home on Saturday.  I have a medium dog crate that I will be setting up in the garage to keep him in when I'm not home during the day.  At night, I will let him out to exercise, etc.  My fiancee is highly allergic to animals.  This is why the cats are outside.

I have been reading cats can survive on three legs.  I hope this is true.  I just have to see when I will be able to introduce him to the outdoors again and the other cats.

Thanks for all the information and help.

Kelly and Tiger
 
 
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