Expert: Jessica - 7/23/2009

Question
hello my name is josh and i recently rescued a kitten from a shelter and i've had her for almost a week now and I just had a incident where i was giving her a bath and went to get a towel with my hand still on her and she squirmed and scratched and bit and then jumped and hit the floor hitting her head in the process and she then squeeled and some blood came from her mouth, and it stopped within seconds and there wasn't much blood, it was more like spit with blood in it, but now she just lies down keeping her head up against the side of her bed and sleeps, she ate some soft food but not all which i find weird and also she is shaking, i have a vet appointment on monday but i just would really like to know what has happened

p.s. she is just a normal long haired domestic cat she is all white and her name is Yuki(you-key, its japanese for snow)

Answer
Hi Josh.  How long has she been acting like this?  I'm not sure if she's just got the chills from the bath and is tuckered out from the stress of the experience, but if she seems like she's having more than just a nap, I would really urge an emergency vet visit.  A head injury could certainly cause strange symptoms.  Most of the time there is little they can do for the head trauma, but they will try to stabilize her other vitals if she has a low body temperature or low blood pressure, etc., until she pulls through.  

Bathing takes a lot out of cats, so if she doesn't get excessively dirty, then I would recommend to skip baths in the future.  Cats have enzymes in their saliva that will break down grease on their fur, and the barbs on their tongue will rake out dirt and dander.  Brushing a couple times a week should keep her nice and clean so that baths are unnecessary unless she gets into something sticky or extra muddy.

Good luck!