What to do about wounds and licking?

sigma

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So my cat, Alpha, had gotten a cut that's now infected. Not only is the Clavamox I've given him not working much, but I'm completely out of ideas how to help him. Then I wondered if it would be a good idea to let him lick his wounds (no pun intended). He's had on a cone for the duration of the last week and a half, but I don't know if it's actually helping him recover. I can clearly see the cut is infected; it has some ugly white stuff in it. Should I let him lick it or not?
 
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sigma

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Yes, I'll be taking him back on Monday. But during the time in between, how can I keep his condition from worsening? His appetite already is beginning to wane, and he can't put his paw down. I'm worried about him. Is there anything I can do to help until then?
 
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sigma

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Also, I should add that I've taken him to the vet THREE TIMES already, but come back each time with just Clavamox and no clear instructions other than to just give him the pills.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude towards you. I do mean to express my frustration with the vets I've visited. I'm running out of ideas and I don't honestly think they really have Alpha's welfare at the top of their lists. I need ACTUAL information from ACTUAL pet owners who can ACTUALLY help him.
 

denice

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Believe me I understand the frustration with a vet that isn't very good.  I am a veteran of 6 years of vet hopping with a chronically ill cat before I finally found a good vet.  I for one don't understand giving the same antibiotic over and over, it's obvious another antibiotic is needed.  As much as I understand your frustration I'm not a vet and I can't give medical advice.  Even if I were a vet, a vet needs to either examine an animal or at least examine their health record to give advice.  I know cats in the wild keep wounds clean by licking them but that doesn't mean it's the best course of action it's simply what is available to them.

I think given the long term issue I would definitely take your kitty to a different vet.  I don't know where you are at either geographically or financially but given that it's a long holiday weekend an emergency vet would be another option.  As a lay person that is really the only advice I can give.
 

snugglecat

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Sorry your poor kitty is not doing well but if it were me, I would be looking into finding another vet. I also would put the cone back on because cats mouths are full of bacteria and that could make it worse. Sorry I don't have any ideas of what you could do but get him into see someone as soon as possible.
 
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sigma

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So I SHOULDN'T let him lick it. Got it. The trouble with that is that he's getting really annoyed with it. Also, I did let him lick the first incisions that the "vet" made and they got better. Maybe it was the medicine, time, his grooming, I don't know. Also, like I asked, what can I do now to keep him from getting worse until I get him to the vet?
 

stephanietx

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At this point in the game, I'd take him an emergency vet if there's one near you. You might be able to find a vet open on Saturday morning.  The clavamox is probably affecting his appetite.  That's a common side effect, especially if taken for a period of time.
 

catwoman707

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Personally I would allow him to lick it himself until you get him to a vet,  unless you can put a topical antibiotic ointment on in addition to the oral antibiotic.

This is likely what the vet will do as well.

They may give you a cleansing solution, maybe chlorhexadine which is an antiseptic that kills germs on the skin without damaging tissue.

Surgeons use this prior to surgery and it's commonly used in animals.

Yep, a cleaning solution, topical ointment, oral antibiotics and a cone of shame.............

WITH a new vet!
 
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furmonster mom

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Something you can do in the meantime is try an epsom salt compress to help draw out the infection.

Dissolve equal parts epsom salt to warm water. 

Dampen cotton swab or cloth, gently squeeze out excess. 

Hold dampened swab/cloth to wound for a few minutes.

Repeat a few times, replacing swab or rinsing cloth as necessary.

It will probably sting a bit, so kitty may be squirmy at first.  Try to hold firmly in as comfortable position as possible.

This is just a stop-gap option.

I agree with catwoman... DO find a new vet, and get some appropriate medications.
 
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