Daddy got his ass kicked but good yesterday.

[bertha katzenengel]

I don't know by whom, but when we got home from work last night, he just wasn't himself. He came to me, like he always does when I get out of the car and go to the mailbox. I petted him and came away with a handful of fur. He was moving pretty slowly. I kept petting him and the fur kept coming off, then I felt something wet and looked at my hand - blood.

Believe it or not, I didn't freak. I brought him into the house and inspected the site, and all I saw was two scratches. But the way he was acting was alarming. He didn't want dinner, or treats, and he didn't bug the sh*t out of Mrs. V. when she ate her chicken salad sandwich. (If you're eating anything, Daddy demands his share.) Then when I poured myself a glass of milk and he didn't budge at the sound, I knew it was bad.

Worried about infection & abscesses, I took him to the emergency vet, where they shaved four patches and cleaned up his rather nasty cuts. They gave him some drugs and gave me some antibiotics to give him twice daily. Besides pilling him -- hoo boy, what fun -- I get to clean his wounds twice daily, making sure they don't scab over and dealing with other rather gross stuff.

(Does anyone know if anyone anywhere teaches animal first aid?)

The vet said that she could tell he was the aggressor in the fight because of where his wounds were, all to the front of his body. That doesn't surprise me. He may be neutered, but Daddy is the Alpha cat of the Haven and of the whole neighborhood. He'd pick a fight with a buzz saw if it walked into his territory.

Mrs. V. is a goddess. I know she didn't want to take Daddy in, simply because we already had too many cats. But knowing my soft heart (and because I think she loved him - he is a VERY handsome little feline man) she relented. God bless you, Mrs. V. :loveya:

Daddy will be fine. Sometimes I think that cat is more trouble than he's worth, but most of the time I realize that everyone and every animal and everything is on this earth for a reason.

[Pithlet]

1. Oh, no! Poor Daddy.

I hope he gets better, soon.

[progmom]

2. poor Daddy!!

:(

He is very lucky to have you and Mrs. V to care for him. :)

[Shell Beau]

3. Poor daddy. Is he the Heathcliff of the neighborhood?

I hope he gets better!

[bertha katzenengel]

6. Heathcliff?

Don't know from Heathcliff, SB, but thanks! He's better already, I just heard from home.

[Shell Beau]

11. Heathcliff was a cartoon when I was little about this

cat that was the "tough guy" of the neighborhood.

[bertha katzenengel]

12. Yep, that's Daddy!

See second pic. Like I said, he'll chase off or pick a fight with anyone. :7

[Shell Beau]

14. I saw that pic. That is too funny!

Here is Heathcliff...

[demnan]

4. Aww, poor little guy

I had a wonderful grey tabby cat, Howard, who used to get into all kinds of scrapes like that. I spent my teenage years dressing his wounds, giving antibiotics and applying warm compresses. My brother's cat was a black and white tuxedo cat who was half Siamese and had the Siamese voice and build, as well as the personality. That cat got into so many fights he got his eyes all scratched up. He was blind when he was older.

Keeping my cats indoors helps the situation somewhat. They only fight with each other - and I keep their nails trimmed.

[bertha katzenengel]

7. Great pic!

Daddy was strictly indoors, w/ our other cats, for a long time. But severe behavioral problems made us start letting him out. It's amazing how things have gotten SO much better since then.

:hi:

[Misunderestimator]

5. Daddy is beautiful!!

Love those pics.

(On edit.... sure feels weird saying "Daddy is beautiful" :crazy:)

[bertha katzenengel]

9. LOL

:hi:

[Blue Diadem]

8. Your Daddy sounds like my dearly departed Sir Thomas C. Cat!

I had numerous vet bills from him getting into fur flying knock down hissy fights over territory. His worst fight was with a squirrel..the squirrel left a large hole in Tom's nose..it took months to heal.

I had to chuckle when I read about him being the agressor and where his wounds were located..reminds me so of Tom. Your Daddy is the King and a very handsome gentleman.

I found a website for nursing care for cats yesterday..it was helpful for me with our current situation and I noticed some wound advice there as well as pilling advice. My grandkitty had her hip displasia surgery and it's been a rough week for her. We still have 5-7 weeks of recovery.


http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto12.html


At the bottom of the page are several links to other articles in the series

[bertha katzenengel]

15. What a great name.

I don't really know what Daddy tangled with. The vet said the puncture wounds were too small to be made by anything but a cat, but damn, he is SO torn up. That must've been one vicious feline.

Thanks for the link! It's already helped. :hi: I'll keep good thoughts for Grandkitty. :hug:

[no name no slogan]

10. hey Daddy!

glad to hear Daddy's doing alright, and glad to know he's got a loving family to look after him!

Edgar and Leo also send their wishes for a speedy recovery! :hi: :bounce:

[bertha katzenengel]

17. thanks to all three of you

:pals:

[youthere]

13. Here's wishing Daddy a quick recovery...

hope he's better soon and the pilling and cleaning aren't too traumatic-on either of you.;-)

[Roon]

16. Awww! Kisses for Daddy!

I love tuxedo kitties.

[NV Whino]

18. Ask your vet

to sell you some dry amoxicillan. I always keep at least one bottle around and activate it for emergencies. Becuase, as you know, kitties don't get hurt during business hours. Also keep some epson salts for abscesses.

[bertha katzenengel]

19. Excellent ideas. Thank you.

:bounce:

[gypsy11]

20. Awww, poor Daddy

Here is a :hug: for Daddy. Get well soon!
He's a handsome boy.

[barb162]

21. Let's hope Daddy is well on his way to recovery.

Yes I have had this happen too and I am glad you got him to the ER vet fast.

Spoil him a lot the next few days.(Why am I saying this? I know you will)

[flvegan]

22. Daddy looks and sounds (and came around) just like my Remy.

Good luck to him, and thanks to you for taking care of him (and of course to Mrs. V).

[bliss_eternal]

23. What a beautiful cat!

Thank you for posting the pictures! I am so sorry he was in a fight, and got hurt. I hope that he heals well, (and stays clear of any trouble while healing). I know how cats love their scuffles--and showing everyone else who the boss is. ;)

You sound like such a sweet and concerned parent--hope you get some relief from your worry soon.

:hug:

((((Daddy))))

[barb162]

24. Some of them ARE territorial little shots, aren't they?

[bliss_eternal]

25. Totally, I think they would kick US out of the house, if they

could! LOL!

[bertha katzenengel]

28. Thanks, Bliss.

What part of California are you from? Huntington Beach is my home town. :( <-- means :homesick:

You're very kind. :blush:

[WhiteTara]

26. golden seal root powder is my wound healer

of choice. Kills all the germs and helps heal instantly. Good luck with that.

[Sanity Claws]

27. Let us know if he becomes more timid

I have an alpha type cat too. He got into a fight last year and received some puncture wounds. I think his pride was more wounded than anything else. Since then, he spends most of his outside time in our fenced backyard or in our gardened frontyard under a bush. He seems to be far less aggressive toward other kitties these days.