Hi, I took in a cat that was meowing at my door three weeks ago.
About a fortnight ago, he got into a scrap with another cat who bit him on the face.
A wound under his ear started bleeding slightly, so I disinfected it. The wound seems to be healing, but he's losing fur all around the area and the bald patch is spreading day by day... My finances are very tight at the moment, otherwise I would have taken him to the vet. Could you please advise me on what to do?
Translated from French
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Hi there,
It is indeed vital to regularly disinfect the area with Betadine (the iodine solution), using a sterile gauze swab. When did you take these photos? It’s likely that the hair loss is due to the scrap with the other cat, but you’ll still need to check that it’s growing back properly. The fact that a scab has formed is already a very good sign: the healing process has successfully kicked in.
Be careful with cat bites, though, as they get infected very frequently. Unfortunately, you really do need to see a vet so they can examine your cat and decide whether or not he needs antibiotics. On top of that, it would be ideal to have an FIV/FeLV test done, as these are common diseases among cats that fight (a test like that costs about £25–£30, but it isn’t essential right this second).
In conclusion, you’re doing the right thing by disinfecting regularly with Betadine, but the best course of action would be to supplement that with a vet appointment. Just explain that you mainly want to know if he needs antibiotics and mention that you’re on a tight budget. It should be relatively affordable, and you might want to check if the surgery offers payment plans or instalments. Finally, as mentioned above, there are also animal charities and dispensaries (like the PDSA or Blue Cross) that can help with vet costs. It’s worth looking into this quickly to avoid a more serious secondary infection further down the line.
(As @Del2244 pointed out, going to the vet will also allow you to make sure the cat doesn’t already belong to someone).
Hope this helps,
Best regards,
Zachary.
Hi there,
This kind of hair loss usually suggests there’s an abscess, and the next stage is likely to be skin necrosis 😕
You really should take them to see a vet. Go and get the microchip scanned on this cat that’s moved in with you... the vet won't be able to ignore the injury; they’ll either step in to help or give you the best advice on what to do. Plus, it might just mean a family who’s had a miserable Christmas gets to find their beloved pet again 😊
I know you're supposed to disinfect with Betadine. I think it's the yellow bottle (not the red one), but I'm not 100% sure whether it's the yellow or the red one.
Best of luck, I hope you find a way to get him feeling better soon.
YES, IT’S DEFINITELY BETTER TO SEE A VET. A consultation is usually around £30, and the treatment shouldn't be too expensive depending on what they find. They’ll probably do a skin scrape to check for any parasites causing the hair loss, and that’s usually included in the price.
Try to see if there’s an RSPCA or PDSA clinic nearby, as it’s basically free if you’re on a low income.
Otherwise, just speak to a vet; they can give you some advice over the phone if you prefer. Just make sure to mention you’ve only recently taken it in, and they’ll be able to guide you.
Alternatively, you could see if there’s a local cat rescue that can take him in, but then you wouldn't be able to keep him.
