Hello Everyone,
We have an outdoor cat (which is actually the former indoor cat of a neighbor). He is 8 - 10 years old. We've been caring for him for 2 years now. About 4 days ago, he went missing. I felt something was wrong because he is ALWAYS at our storm door standing on his hind legs, scratching to get our attention at dinner time. Yesterday, I scoured our backyard and found him sitting in a plastic box inside a dog kennel we use as a "cat enclosure" to let our indoor cats outside from time to time. He (Mau Mau) had obvious facial injuries to the nose and mouth. A few of his teeth are knocked out, he has scabbing on his chin and a small puncture wound above his top lip. His nose is producing a lot of slightly bloody phlegm. He is very swollen around his nose and his mouth is hanging slightly open, probably to breathe easier. He smells like infection, like when an animal has a burst abscess. He was dehydrated, and tried to lap up water, but could not on account of what I see as pain to his chin and nose. We were able to give him some water and beef broth through a syringe, which he gladly accepted. He seems very tired, but stands up, stretches and even groomed his back and his behind last night. I am taking him to the vet this afternoon, but I am worried. I believe he was either hit by a car or kicked in his face because the injuries are to his face only. He yawns really big and his jaw doesn't appear to be broken. I think he will be ok with antibiotics, pain meds and perhaps some IV fluids, but I am absolutely terrified the vet will say he needs to be put down. The injuries are old, at least 3 or 4 days, and he has made it this long, but I am still scared. What could have happened? Does this sound like a euthanasia type situation or maybe just an expensive vet bill (which is fine by me)? Anything else I could do to help him out? We currently have him inside, sleeping on my bed.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated!
We have an outdoor cat (which is actually the former indoor cat of a neighbor). He is 8 - 10 years old. We've been caring for him for 2 years now. About 4 days ago, he went missing. I felt something was wrong because he is ALWAYS at our storm door standing on his hind legs, scratching to get our attention at dinner time. Yesterday, I scoured our backyard and found him sitting in a plastic box inside a dog kennel we use as a "cat enclosure" to let our indoor cats outside from time to time. He (Mau Mau) had obvious facial injuries to the nose and mouth. A few of his teeth are knocked out, he has scabbing on his chin and a small puncture wound above his top lip. His nose is producing a lot of slightly bloody phlegm. He is very swollen around his nose and his mouth is hanging slightly open, probably to breathe easier. He smells like infection, like when an animal has a burst abscess. He was dehydrated, and tried to lap up water, but could not on account of what I see as pain to his chin and nose. We were able to give him some water and beef broth through a syringe, which he gladly accepted. He seems very tired, but stands up, stretches and even groomed his back and his behind last night. I am taking him to the vet this afternoon, but I am worried. I believe he was either hit by a car or kicked in his face because the injuries are to his face only. He yawns really big and his jaw doesn't appear to be broken. I think he will be ok with antibiotics, pain meds and perhaps some IV fluids, but I am absolutely terrified the vet will say he needs to be put down. The injuries are old, at least 3 or 4 days, and he has made it this long, but I am still scared. What could have happened? Does this sound like a euthanasia type situation or maybe just an expensive vet bill (which is fine by me)? Anything else I could do to help him out? We currently have him inside, sleeping on my bed.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated!
