When it rains it pours! Taking Lucy & the stray to the v

[Tina B and crew]

The stray is going because of the abscess in his foot, so I'm going to go ahead even though I don't want to stress him out anymore and take him. He really needs to have it attended to so it doesn't get worse.

And I just discovered that Lucy has lost a dime size patch of fur over her left eye. The skin underneath is pink and it is swollen. I am wondering if she was either stung by a wasp or bit by a spider? There doesn't appear to be any injury or broken skin, just puffiness and pinkness. It also doesn't feel warm to the touch really. But I'm taking her in to be checked.

Now, let's hope Chunk doesn't come up with any vet issues!

[Tina B and crew]

Here are pictures of Lucy's "bald" spot. This was not there last night, or first thing this morning as far as I remember.



Close up

[Traci]

Definitely could be a bug bite, is she scratching it? Could also be a nick from playfighting with Chunk, and now becoming aggrivated.

Glad to hear you're taking everyone in, let us know how everything goes.

[Tina B and crew]

Traci, that is exactly what the vet said, either a bug bite or a scratch from another cat. A dose of benadryl seemed to bring the puffiness down and he put some cortisone on it. I have an RX for prednisone as well. I will start her on that tomorrow if the swelling persists. If it goes down I will call and ask if it is OK to skip it.

The stray boys got a good look over, an antibiotic injection, and Revolution. He said his foot didn't look too bad and his temp was normal which was great for having an abscess and being post surgery. He's back in his penthouse and I took his ecollar off to give him some food and water, but as soon as he was done he went to licking pretty heavily so I put it back on. Any suggestions on how long I should keep it on?

[Tina B and crew]

Oh, and I haven't noticed her scratching at it a lot. I'd been so busy this morning with the stray that I didn't notice it until about noon. I know it wasn't like this last night though.

[Traci]

With Lucy's little bump, hard to tell, but if it just appeared suddenly, I would consider a bug bite. Some spider bites are really nasty, but chances are, you don't have a lot of spider in your home! Gnats coming through windows, doors or screens can bite and those sites can get really aggrivated (itches). If vet couldn't find scratch or puncture, less likely from playfighting with Chunk. Check Lucy's front and rear claws to ensure they are clean and free from dirt and debris in case she does scratch if it's itchy.

As for little tabby boy, check the incision carefully for any signs of oozing blood, unusual swelling, redness or bruising. If any are evident, call the vet right away (he would want to rule out newly brewing infection, although unlikely, it should be ruled out if he isn't feeling better by tomorrow). Since he was just neutered today, he will be a little aggitated and licking on instinct (they could have used alcohol or surgery scrub on the area and he's trying to lick it off). Plus, probably slightly painful. Keep him comfy, keep the ecollar on except while eating or cuddling when you know he won't lick. Be careful with the guaze or string used on the ecollar, since you aren't in the camper overnight, you don't want it too tight or too loose - place two of your largest fingers between the cone and his neck, your fingers should fit snug but able to move as well (kitty has to move neck, swallow, rest chin etc comfotably) - I'd keep the collar on every day and check multiple times with it off to see what he does. Ideally, the first couple or three days are crucial to not allow them to manipulate the neuter site. Some vets use sutures, some use surgical glue, find out which one the vet used - kitty could have a reaction to either. Sometimes, the glue comes apart from overzealous licking/manipulation and when this happens, the site has to be cleaned and the surgical glue reapplied to prevent open wound and infection.

I would try to avoid using the prednisone on Lucy if you can - give this til tomorrow, late, before the vet office closes, and see how reduced the swelling is by then. If it is still swollen or increases swelling tomorrow, call your vet for further direction, he may or may not suggest initiating the pred.

[Tina B and crew]

I usually keep both Lucy and Chunk's nails clipped, both front and back. They are about due so I will attend to that. Spiders are not uncommon here. We live in the woods, so there are tons of bugs of all sorts. Spider was my first inclination. She's still a pink there but the swelling has not come back. She ate her dinner pretty well and otherwise has been sleeping. I have noticed her scratching it a few times. I will check with the vet tomorrow about the prednisone. I'm not one to want to use it unless necessary.

Thanks for the tip on the ecollar. That was my thought too. I took it off for him to eat and get some water, which he took in a lot. I'll go back over again before bedtime and do the same and put it on him overnight. I actually am using a break away collar to hold it on and made sure two fingers could fit between it and his neck. I have more pictures to post on the other thread. He is such a a sweetheart!!

[Tina B and crew]

Lucy's spot looks considerably better this morning. It doesn't look swollen at all and the pinkness seems to have faded. She also doesn't seem to mind me touching near it like she did yesterday. So I'm definitely calling the vet about not doing the prednisone.

Stray boy seems to be fine this morning too. He still had his collar on this morning but was glad to have me take it off so he could eat (he can eat with it on but it's just more difficult). I was a bit concerned yesterday because he had not used the litter box. He did urinate and have a BM in his carrier on the way home from the clinic, but after that I saw nothing. However, he did do both in his box overnight so that was a big relief. I wasn't concerned about no BM, just the no peeing. BTW, the neuter was done on Tuesday. Should I keep the e-collar on after today? He goes to lick every time I take it off. The site looks fine, no visible swelling or redness and no oozing. Once I stop him from licking he's pretty good about not being to persistent about it. I'm sure it itches! I've never used an e-collar after a neuter though, and never had any problems. His foot looks pretty good too. Definitely not oozing, redness, or swelling there. I also don't want him to lick that too much either though.

Oh, and I have to say, he was so wonderful for me when I put the collar back on him. Sat perfectly still and let me do it without a fight!

[Traci]

Hey Tina, I haven't been online, but in response, I'd say it would be ok to take off the ecollar and see how he does with your supervision. Try to leave it off, and he will naturally lick the area, just keep an eye on it every day to make sure it is not red/bruised/swollen etc.

Keep a close eye on Lucy's little bump - feel it for any signs of hot to the touch, re-swelling, etc. Hopefully it was just a one-time thing and is resolving but keep an eye on it anyway.

[Tina B and crew]

Not a problem Traci, I just used my common sense. I took the collar off and he was doing fine without it. Thought I might have to put it back on because of his foot, but it looks better today. His loose stool has cleared up and he is really looking so much better!

Lucy is fine too. I can't even tell anything was wrong at the spot above her eye right now. She's back to stealing my office chair when I need it most, as usual.