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Cats/huge round sore on cat

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Expert: - 3/18/2010


Question
My boyfriend's cat has a huge round open sore on her side--i just saw it last night--he says its been there for over a month (OMG!!) and bleeding everywhere (she's an outdoor cat, a bit on the wild side) I caught her last night and bandaged it up as best i could but...its perfectly round--about two inches in diameter and just looks awful.  I looked in the previously asked questions and saw the ringworm pics but...it doesn't look anything like that...this is a raw and open --i'd appreicate any help or advice mahalo

Answer
Hi Amy.  My goodness!  Unfortunately, there are a lot of possibilities, ranging from cancer to a parasitic infection, and the kitty really needs to see a vet.  The lymph and blood in cancerous tumors can ulcerate through the skin.  Abscesses will, too.  This time of year, we see an increase of parasitic infestations such as Myiasis (maggots) and Bot fly larvae in cats.  Both can leave infected wounds once they leave their host.  Some cats develop large lesions on their skin called eosinophilic granulomas or plaques, and these are caused by their own immune systems (though these don't typically bleed much).  There is also the possibility that she was attacked by something, and the wound is too large to have healed on its own.  And many more possibilities still.  I hope it's something that the vet can fix up and have her feeling better in no time!

Jessica  

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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