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My 3-month old kitten got a scratch from a tussle with our other cat on the right side of her face. She has torn at it so much that she now has an abrasion that takes up most of the right side of her face. It will scab over, but she tears it open again. I have tried to keep her claws clipped back, but am afraid to trim too much on the back feet because she's hard to hold down and it's hard to see that vein in the claws. How can we get her healed up?

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Female; Breed: Cat/mixed breed

Already Tried:
cleaning wound...liquid bandage - she reopened the wound when I didn't use it and when I did

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $8

How long has she had this?
Has she taken any oral antibiotcs?

Have you used any neosporen on it?

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

Reply to Terri Riba's Post: The initial wound occurred a bit over a week ago. The initial wound, by the way, was quite minor. The older cat was letting her know she was out of line and she lost a very small patch of fur on the side of her face. Then a scratch appeared...and now we've got two sizeable areas on the side of her face where she's torn off her fur and...well, if she was a kid, it would look like she'd come off a bicycle and left skin on the pavement. No sign of infection, but no, no oral antibiotics. I was trying to avoid a very costly visit to the vet for something that was initially so minor. I have not put neosporen on it, but did put another generic antibiotic ointment on it, but my husband was concerned that if she ingested the ointment, it might poison her and asked me to stop.

Dear friend,

Please stand by for a few minutes while I type detailed answer.

Thanks,

Terri

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

Reply to Terri Riba's Post: Thank you, Terri. I just read your profile and am delighted to get information from someone with your kind of experience and obvious love of cats. My older cat, a 21 year old lady, wants to know if it's safe to give a kitten Vallium.

Dear friend,

Cat claws contain and incredible amount of bacteria. You want to keep this baby from getting an infection or abscess. Apply very warm (almost hot) damp compresses three times a day. This will draw out any infection and bring it to the surface. Then apply neosporen or triple antibiotic. Just keep her busy for five minutes while it soaks in. You can even use llanacaine with anesthestic so she will not feel the annoying itching that is motivating her to scratch. Keep an eye out for any faver, inappetite, lethargy, etc that would indicate there is an infection in her system. If one developes she will need an oral antibiotic. She can also contract ringwom in any bald spot so let me know if you see anything that looks like this:
www.fabcats.org/ringworm.html

Cats are pretty resiliant so as long as it is kept clean she should be able to overcome it. THe only thing you could do about her claws is tape baby socks on her feet.

Please let me know how she is and if you have any further questions. I will be happy to help.

Very sincerely,

Terri

PS I would not give her valium but you could use feliway plugins or recue remedy to calm her or get another kitten for her to play with so your old girl can have peace and quiet LOL

Edited by purrfectkitty on August 27 2006 at 10:30 AM

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

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