12 Stitches in my head!

I just got back from the hospital. Three large holes in my head needing 12 stitches. Plus of course tetanus and antibiotic shots and tablets. All through my own fault.

In the Caring for Ferals forum I have a thread on the black cat I have been trying to 'tame' (I know you can't really), and thought I was doing quite well. He has become very affectionate towards me and jumps on my lap purring to be petted. Yesterday he was also calm towards Dushka. So this morning I put vanilla on all 6 cats, let them wander the kitchen together (which was OK) and then let them out. Big mistake. He immediately became territorial, chased Persil out of the yard and came back to fight the others. I did not try to separate them but managed to rescue my cats one by one and get them all inside. Then I saw that Feral Cat (Merlot) had an injury to his leg. I approached him slowly, not looking at him, just to see if I could assess how bad it was without touching him, and before I knew what had happened he jumped straight on my head with claws and teeth at the attack. Serves me right for being arrogant towards a feral.

Now I have to try and catch him again and get him to a vet for examination - that is the law, three exams over three weeks - to assess for rabies. But I am sure he is OK as he was examined last week and vaccinated/neutered and they planned to do the rabies shot on the next visit in a month. However it has to be done. And I will have to start over at socialising him and introducing him to my guys, if that is possible. This time I will go much much slower. And meanwhile my head hurts!

Oh, I'm sorry. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

I'm sorry to hear about your hand! I hope you feel better soon

Ouch Jenny! I know that must have hurt. I can sympathise with you on the stitches. I had 12 of them in my leg back in July. Make sure to keep the wound area clean and dry! I hope you feel better soon.

OMG, it just goes to show, trying to have a ¨somewhat¨ normal day and......bish, bang.....12 stitches later !! I hope you get better real soon now you need to take it easy eh !!
So was it the bites and scratches that needed the stitches or was it from the fall ?

I didn't fall - he bit and scratched me. One bite had 7 stitches - a large flap of flesh. It is all under my hair so that is difficult - right now my hair is plastered down with a really attractive mix of blood and disinfectant and I am not sure how or when to wash it. They clipped it round the wounds but I must clean it somehow. First I will clean the blood off the kitchen floor - they say scalp wounds bleed a lot and I have the evidence.

oh.........yeeikes, bet that hurt ! and yes, head wounds do produce a lot of blood ! He must have been REAL mad !!
You probably have to leave washing your hair for a while, until the wounds are more healed, oh heck, do take care !!

Ouch. I would bring in a stray but not a feral. That is tuff.

You should be OK, washing your hair, with a mild antibacterial soap - do you have something similar to Phisoderm, in France? Just don't rub hard and be sure to rinse well. Bacteria can breed, in that dried blood and it STINKS.

Um, all i can say is OUCH!!!!! hope it all heals up quickly for you Jenny

Oh Jenny, ouch! You were very smart to head straight in to the Dr to have it checked out!

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I didn't fall - he bit and scratched me. One bite had 7 stitches - a large flap of flesh. It is all under my hair so that is difficult - right now my hair is plastered down with a really attractive mix of blood and disinfectant and I am not sure how or when to wash it. They clipped it round the wounds but I must clean it somehow. First I will clean the blood off the kitchen floor - they say scalp wounds bleed a lot and I have the evidence.

Click to expand...

Oh you poor thing! I had 8 stitches in my head once after a car accident - I know all about the yuckiness! I was a waitress at the time, and had to lose several days of work, because I would have grossed out the patrons!

How old is Merlot? What's the link to the thread about him? I'd like to read it!

Jenny.....if I could reach that far I would give you a big hug..........please, no more holes in your head ok???

Oh Jenny, ouch! It really wasn't really your day today, was it?

I hope your head is feeling much better and heals speedily for you! Good luck with your further introductions!

Oh honey! I am so sorry. I wish I could give you a also but this is going to have to suffice from this distance.
I hope you feel better soon and don't worry, ferals are forgiving, I have two that have been inside for quite awhile now and are still a little easily spooked once in awhile and will leap claws extended off of me if they get frightened. Thankfully I've never been hurt that badly by them though. Twig tends to nip pretty hard though. last night he drew blood twice while sitting on by me on the computer desk. Oh well, what can you do?
I hope You're feeling better and can get some of the ickys out of your hair. Be careful and get better soon!

Oh no Jenny! I'm glad to hear you had it checked out and really hope it heals fast!

Jenny thats awful! I hope your next introduction goes more smoothly. Im glad you went to the doctors about it.
Hope the cats have calmed down now :hug:

I am not sure how to make a link to a thread but it is the Caring for Ferals forum, title French Ferals Update. He is a year old, I first saw him as a kitten last year but since I was not actually living here then was not able to do anything, so he has been wild for a year.

He is forgiving - this evening some gardeners came to measure up, and as I walked round with them, he followed us, often rubbing against me. They could not believe he was the cat who had attacked me. He does not seem to be in pain or even limping, so I hope his leg is Ok. He ate from inside the cat carrier tonight, so maybe tomorrow I will be able to trap him in it and take him to the vet.

I agree about keeping my head clean, and I am going to try and wash it in some warm water and dress it with Bettadine mousse.

Here you go, Jenny French Ferals Update

That is excellent news that he's not too fussed by the day's events! Hopefully you will be able to get him to the vets tomorrow! Such a shame the way things have to go, but I'm sure he'll be fine - as will your poor head!

Jenny I hope you continue to heal & I hope you can catch Merlot to get him to the vet. Just keep your head away from him, OK?