Expert: Tina - 5/6/2007

Question
Okay so i'm not sure if this falls under your 'expertise' i guess, but i can't afford a vet and i don't understand what is happening with my cat.  He is a domestic short hair, calico, if that matters.  Anyways, about a week ago Rascal looked like he had a scratch on his face, nothing to big, just thought he might have gotten into a fight with my other cat, but than the other day he ran away, we got him back yesterday, but i noticed he had another big scratch across his neck.  But this time i realized, on both of them, the fur around the wounds was much to big to be just a scratch.  I'm thinking it could be an open soar, but i don't know.  My other cats don't have any of these, and the play together all the time.  If ya have any help it would be very much appreciated...  Thank you

Answer
Hi Eric,

They probably are scratches, possibly hair was pulled out during a fight. It could also be injuries from being caught in machinery such as a car engine.

You should clean the wounds thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide, and watch to make sure no infection occurs. Unfortunately cat fight wounds are prone to abscess and infection, and abscesses (infection pocket under the skin) are very painful and deadly.

If you can't afford a vet, please keep your cat indoors only, because if he's allowed outdoors it is only a matter of time before he's seriously injured or becomes ill. I used to work in a vet clinic and the statistics for cats allowed outdoors are not good. Please consider keeping your cat indoors from now on.