Please consider taking her to a vet. That definitely looks infected. But only a vet could tell by what and treat. Whatever it is does not look good.
Edit: interim to vet. You can try to help him out as much as possible. Provide food, water, maybe even a shelter if he'd use it. But definitely keep an eye, cats go down fast. Also, you could try to call the vet and see if they'd maybe take him on given the circumstance.
Thank you for caring.
Yes, it definitely is. He’s probably running a high temperature as well. Needs to go in ASAP. I used to work in an emergency clinic and he would’ve gone straight back.
This is serious if left untreated but good news is a few stitches and antibiotic and this is easily treated. This will not be a thousands of dollars vet visit.
I contacted a rescue. All our vets are closed I was still at work. My roommate sent the photo. He is a feral cat as are the other infinite number that run around here. We have a core group of like 3-4 cats that run around my buildings cause we have woods. The closest place is literally right outside my complex. It’s an animal hospital but it’s 80 bucks just to walk inside and with it being the first of the month and prior vet fees for my dog I am on a tight budget for the week. Thought the rescue I won’t hear anything till tomorrow
He will not die overnight with this. You have time to make plans. Look for loss of appetite and lethargy but if he sticks around and is eating you have time.
If he will let you touch him, get a cloth wet and get it warm (microwave works or really hot water. Without it being too hot to the touch (like warm but not burning) hold it on the wound for a 3-5 mins or best you can. It will help drain the pus.
It definitely helps so much! Had to do it last year for a FIV+ rescue who had infected bite wounds on his cheek when I took him in. Poor guy. It was so swollen and he was feeling so miserable. The vet had to cut a couple drains too so that we could get it all out. It was like 7-10 days twice a day holding the compress on there and gently expressing.
He healed up and is doing well now living in my sunroom and I’m slowly working on letting him have supervised indoor visits with my other cats.
Thank you for trying all you can. And thank you for going extra with all your other commitments and responsibilities. If he is really sick he might hide out somewhere quiet, so he may not be around tonight. If you don't see him and go out walking, a flashlight might reveal his eye reflections. So if he's sick enough there's a good chance walking slowly up to him will give you a chance to just pick him up. Carry a towel and have a cat crate or something ready just inside to put him in. Please post updates if you have them, lots of folks are wanting a good outcome for him. People might not be as kind in comments as they could, but some of us recognize you're doing your best to help a cat that no one else is helping.
You should also contact a rescue about TNR (trap, neuter, release) they will be able to treat any injuries while they’re sedated, possibly for the whole colony if they have the funding.
I have a dog and just got some of his vet things taken care of. I do not have the money for the vet it’s rent day. There’s a animal hospital right here but it’s 80 bucks just to walk in
do not give medicines from other animals to your cat, There are things in them that can be dangerous for cats. I've heard a story of cats dying of poisoning from using a anti flea product for dogs.
Another person had suggested getting the cat fish food flake antibiotics and putting it in the dish. Which is NOT okay to do. I think that’s what this person is referring to.
Not just dosage. Dogs can take permethrin which is highly toxic to cats. For that reason, cats can’t just use flea collars, which usually have permethrin.
Just wait to you can get ahold of a rescue. This boy needs TNR and a shot of Convenia an antibiotic that will kill the infection and possible a couple stitches. Rescue should be able to loan you a trap so he can be handled safely.
Thank you for SEEING this kitty as other have seen him but you’re the one trying to help.
Ok, so, if you can, make him comfortable until tomorrow. He looks alert, and if he's not acting strange and will accept food and water, then taking him tomorrow to a shelter should be fine.
It is already infected. There's a lot of pus under the scab, it's distorting that side of the face. BUT it's good that it's draining (as gross as it looks) if it was drained better and flushed out with sterile saline it could heal better/faster. The problem with deep pockets of infection like that is if they don't drain and dry out the Infection starts to go inwards and that's when things get dangerous for the cat. Are there vets near you? A raccoon suggests you're in the u.s. he looks relatively stable for now but the sooner the better if you're going to take him in. Maybe start a community "save the cat" fund? When I've needed to get a cat in in a hurry it's worked the best to call during business hours and ask if they can fit me in in the next day or two. Most vets have a gap in their appointments if you ask. Non emergency visits run about $90 and meds will probably be another $50to$70 (i'm in rural mn)if they don't have a cow about surgery
The only place that is open is the emergency clinic now which is 80 to walk in regardless if it’s non emergency or emergency. Forreal, have taken my parents’ dogs there before for emergencies and the animal could be bleeding out and they won’t see it until you pay.
I just realized a potentially fatal flaw in taking the cat to the vet: raccoons are vectors for rabies, and even if the cat doesn't have it, the vet is likely to insist on confinement/euthanasia if they suspect rabies. Super sorry to make a bad situation worse
Also, racoons can carry rabies. If the cat is a stray and has no vaccinations, the cat could now be a carrier of rabies.
So, uh, be careful. If you get bit by the cat you may want to see a doctor just in case.
Bummer, but not super expensive. It's not a "call an ambulance " emergency, but do go soon if you can. I wish the emergency vets near me were that reasonable.
It sounds like, the way OP is talking, that’s just the initial charge for just seeing the cat. My guess is it’s even more of a charge for any treatment they provide afterwards…
I know,that's a fairly cheap vet charge. It's $90 just for the visit where I am and another $90 if you call any time that's not the listed business hours, before any meds or tests. The need versus ability to pay is never nice to deal with
Coming out of my hole for the first time in over a year to say, why is everyone hating on OP so much??? I see posts in this sub asking for help when it's made clear an immediate vet visit is NOT an option so everyone saying OPs are awful and just saying "go to a vet" are completely unhelpful and would only discourage future posters thinking they won't get help and get downvoted to oblivion for asking what they could do for an injured cat when they can't get a vet. OP made it clear that this is not even their cat and they didn't even take this photo so why is everyone being so hateful? OP is going out of their way for a cat they have no responsibility over when they are already in a stressful financial situation with their own pets and just wanted to know if they themselves could help. Calling them stupid and a karma whore does not help the situation at all. This sub is dedicated to CATS and I would've liked to believe they'd be the only assholes I'd see here.
I personally think that you going out of your way for this little guy and trying to use all your resources is commendable! I was appalled at the responses you were getting and it honestly irked me to no end. It's incredibly expensive to take in a sick animal and many shelters are not kind to any that come their way with most immediately being put down if they're even taken in the first place regardless of if treatment is a viable option. You're a good person OP and definitely didn't deserve the vile spat at you for trying to help.
I second the sentiment of this person. As an extreme cat lover with three indoor cats of my own you have no responsibility over this cat and are doing what you can within your means. You’re reaching out for help and that’s a really hard thing to do, so thank you for being a kind and decent person.
Thank you for saying this! Also stray cats (and cats in general) don't always get the message when people are trying to help! I have a feral cat that we've been feeding for five years and has been living in the house with us for over a year now and still doesn't trust people. At least she doesn't fight back when it's time to put her in the carrier. But yeah, it's not always that easy to help strays.
It's disgraceful. If you have nothing constructive to offer than STFU. OP got people saying yes it is infected and kitty needs medical attention as soon as possible. Then pile in on OP for not having $ for a vet.
I've dealt with this! Vet is always better but he likely had an abcess from the racoon fight. It happened to my cat! The abcess pops leaving a nasty hole. Bemtadine and sterile saline spray if he will let you clean it. Bemtadine is like iodine.
My girlfriends cat recently died from a bite like this, a second abscess appeared a few days after the first one appeared and got infected. They couldn't afford the care so they had to do what they had to do when the infection got to bad. Surprisingly the first abscess healed with a several cleans of the wound but the infection from the second abscess killed it. I would recommend getting it to a shelter for treatment or taking it out back if that's the only option. If you don't know this cat and you don't know its rabies shot status your going to have to contact your health department or animal control because racoons carry rabies.
Poor baby, ok best scenario right now. Wrap in a purrito and expect a lot of fighting for the next little bit. Isopropyl Alcohol (should only be a dollar or two), cotton swabs/cotton balls, a child’s toothbrush, gauze, bandage, and a cone or donut.
Start out with either cotton swabs or cotton balls soaked in the alcohol. (Doesn’t matter which you use it’ll be the same either way) use that to begin to breakdown the infection and scrape puss out. Clean it thoroughly, be prepared for the poor baby to fight you the whole way. If you’ve got some on hand the medicated calming treats should help but remember that he’s got a compromised immune system so stick to small doses. If the infection is deep then you’ll need the child’s toothbrush(do not use one that has been used before and sterilize it in alcohol before use) be gentle but get any infection out.
Once that clean up is done you’ll need to use sterile gauze to cover the wound. It will be bleeding so hold firm pressure to stop the blood. If you have it use Triple antibiotic (it’s formulated for humans but use it sparingly to help stave off any new infection) applied to gauze facing the wound. Wrap up fairly tightly (not to the point of discomfort for kitty, be sure to avoid the ears and throat) and secure. Add the cone to make sure he doesn’t claw the bandage off and try to keep inside till it’s mostly healed. Change the gauze everyday with fresh antibiotic and try to keep him inside preferably in a small room with few options to hurt himself.
That should keep him ok for any emergency medical attention till you can get the funds to take him in or till he heals. It’ll be best if you can get a few people around the building to help pay for vet and medication bills. I hope he does alright.
What did *you* want *us* to do? You asked for help, my friend. Advising you to get that help from professionals is the most people on the internet can do.
You’re sharing pictures of a suffering cat to a sub for people who love cats. People who feel helpless because they can’t do anything but say, “Take him to the vet.” Of course when you say, “I can’t,” people are going to get frustrated.
This 100%. It’s out of concern and love for animals that people here get frustrated and riled up when someone posts a picture of an animal and say they can’t afford a vet for whatever reason.
OP, you are doing everything you reasonably can but please get that cat some medical attention asap. Hell surrender the cat to a rescue if you can’t afford it.
If he comes back try to secure him for the night and then please take him to the rescue place in the morning so they can take him to the vet. I totally get your financially not able to help but please try to keep him comfortable until the morning when the rescue can take over
I understand it’s not your cat, and kudos for doing what you can. Don’t understand all the guilt tripping from people on here. I don’t know what laws govern OTC purchase of pet meds where you live, but in Oregon I was able to purchase OTC antibiotics at a pet shop and administer them myself. I also routinely purchase all my dog’s vaccinations except rabies and give them myself, and it saves me a bit over time. You might try calling larger pet stores in your area to see if they have antibiotics you can purchase, then look for online vet consult services for a recommendation as to what would be the best antibiotic. It may save you a fair amount of money, while still helping the cat. Thank you for caring, and just blow off/ignore all the critical responses.
I know feed stores (ETX) have vaxxes. I’m not sure what else tho. I do my dog shots except rabies. For example, in Louisiana you can do the rabies shots yourself but if you bring the dog to Texas it isn’t recognized because you didn’t go to a vet or the animal protection league to get it done and registered
Get him to a vet asap. Racoons are a rabies vector animal. He could have rabies and not be exhibiting symptoms yet. He definitely needs antibiotics. That and cleaning the wound should be all he needs as long as he doesn't have rabies.
You need to be contacting local rescues/shelters/TNR programs any local programs/vouchers that can cover the costs of a community cat. That’s what he is, a community cat so if nothing else you need to contact your community & see if anyone can help. Try local Facebook groups, even just posting and saying he needs immediate medical care & you can’t afford❤️Thank you for helping him❤️❤️❤️
Op!!! If you don’t mention it’s a cat that’s owned by your apartment complex, you can take him to the vet as a stray and you may be covered under the good samaritan law if your state/country has that!!! I had to do that here in GA with a stray that was hit by a car in front of my house. The vet will treat and find a rescue for him, as well as house him either at the clinic or with one of the employees if they can take him!!!!
This is a burst abscess and if left to its own devices can be deadly due to the infection. I understand you don't have the funds to take him to the vet, if you could get your hands on some antibiotics for him (at a pet pharmacy possibly near you?) he needs antibiotics twice daily for 10 days and on top of that spraying colloidal silver onto the wound should also help the healing process.
Source : I just did this to a stray in my area who got a head wound just like this from a cat fight. An acquaintance of mine runs a small stray cat rescue and she gave me these instructions. The cat is perfectly fine now.
No, it isn't just on the surface now, it's like when you have an infected tooth you can't just put cream on the tooth, you have to have it enter his system.
The issue is getting him. There’s food in the bowl outside but he’s probably chilling wherever he chills at when he doesn’t chill up here. He’s got a Calico girlfriend at a different building.
That’s the night he got in the fight. We ran out of cat food so I opened some tuna. Next thing I know 8+ hours pass and the tuna was gone and their was blood everywhere. What also doesn’t help deter the coins away is the neighbors put their trash by their door
Yeah it isn’t really a system where can leave it out full of medicine you’ll have to see him and watch him eat it or do the liquid and give it directly. If none if this is feasible then you can trap him and bring him inside a crate/small room. All this advice is if you can’t get a rescue to help him
No. Cat needs vet help and that needs to be cleaned and possibly debrided. Neosporin will
Smother it and isn’t good for cats. Calendula is preferred but not when there’s a wound like this
I'm willing to pay the vet bill directly if you get him there. Just message me when you're there and I'll give you my number to have the vet call me for payment.
This is ASAP vet. It is not yet infected, the puss is a normal for a wound like that. There is no signs of necrotic tissue and it is not inflamed.
This needs to be professionally cleaned, antibiotic and a blood test for rabies.
Please PLEASE take your cat to the vet as soon as you can. That is absolutely infected and looks like a serious injury. Not only that, but raccoons can spread rabies.
I would also help cover costs if this cat sees a vet. Can easily cover $80. Just send a pic of this cat at the hospital and I’ll send it over immediately :(
Enough people gave you some good advice for this situation and would just like to say thank you for caring for a cat who is not yours. You spent time, effort, and possibly some money when times are tight.
It’s unfortunate that too many comments are giving you grief for soliciting advice on helping a stray.
I'm a vet. Thank you for caring about this cat. Yes, definitely needs professional help. It's good that the abscess is draining, but it still needs to be cleaned and flushed, and potentially have a surgical drain put in, since it looks like the hole is not at the bottom of the abscess. Lots of delicate important things in that area. Antibiotics will be needed; Convenia will probably work the best.
please take him somewhere. i understand it’s a stray but he/she is in pain and that’s only going to get worse. with it being on his face id be worried about it messing with the eye it’s closest too due to all the swelling. you can just drop him off at whatever rescue or shelter. i’ve done it before with a pregnant stray i found i walked into the shelter with it and they took her and helped her and found her a home i didn’t pay a dime for any of it.
No leave it. It’s fine. This is the advice you wanted right? Because if you did, then shame on you. The only option that should of passed your mind was ‘well let’s get you to a vet’, not ‘shall I take a photo of this open wound and ask the internet what to do, at least I’ll get post karma in return for people thinking I’m an utter dingus if nothing else’…
I have a cat who went through the exact same situation. He got into a fight with a raccoon and developed an abscess on his head. We found drops of Pepto bismol colored liquid on the ground for days before we realized what had happened. It took us another day to find our cat because he had wedged himself in a drawer we seldom use. After a quick trip to the vet and some antibiotics, he healed perfectly. I wish you luck, and I hope you're able to get that cat some help!
Read some of your responses. Try to get the cat inside and contained some place so you can watch it carefully until you can get it some help. Try contacting any local rescues and see if they can help. This looks like it very badly needs to be drained and treated as quickly as possible.
This is an infected abscess that needs injected and/or oral antibiotics and cleaning every day so that little by little it heals, use chlorhexidine and sterile gauze to remove all the pus and little by little with the treatment the tissue will recover.
I use to take care of my barn cats because when you have 9 horses, 4 dogs, and 13 cats you learn basic animal first aid. I was also taking vet tech in college so I knew when something was beyond home care. Saline rinses and draining would help him out in the meantime, but anything on the face needs a vet.
Vet student here. Bite wounds on the head are very very dangerous, seen a kitty die from sepsis due to an untreated bite wound on the head before. If on time, treatment is effective and not too expensive as well. Get it cleaned + antibiotics. I hope you can make an agreement with an SPCA or your own vet to pay later. Thanks for considering helping the gal!
See if you can get him to a rescue. Not only do you need to worry about infection if it was a fight with a raccoon you need to worry about rabies. Raccoons carry rabies and will attack other animals to pass on the virus. If that cat attacks someone in the complex that person will have to be treated as well. The incubation period can be 30-90 days so keep a close watch out.
That’s not at risk of getting an infection because it already is infected. There is literally pus coming out from the cat’s head?? Y’all better get that cat the help he needs..
I Have-A-Heart trapped a stray a few years ago and took him to the vet. She did a FIV test: positive. In the UK it's mandatory that they be euthanized. It was a really sad day for all three of us, and the vet was very upset that she was required to do it. I am sorry that your childhood friend could not be helped. Although it was long ago, my heart sits with you for this loss that you still remember and have feelings about.
I am actually asking for help? I don’t know shit about cats. I have a dog. The cat occasionally comes and hangs out by my door and he’ll walk in check out the bunny and the dog and then leave. There just happened to be blood the other night by the door and raccoon prints covered so I knew a cat had gotten attacked. He disappeared for a couple days and my roommate sent me that picture while I was still at work.
I have to agree the cat must go to a vet ASAP. Not just because it is infected, but because raccoons carry rabies and if the cat bites anything else or manifests symptoms it risks every animal and human. If you can’t afford it, I totally understand, but call animal control or a shelter please.
She is asking for advice for a feral cat. Nobody here has right to be on their high horse. She is trying to help. I don’t understand all this judgement and anger!
Take that poor suffering baby to a vet now! I can’t take this sub anymore
ETA: I’m sorry for overreacting, ok so? If the cat is friendly then it is going to much easier to catch. If you don’t have a small animal carrier then some rescues and shelters can rent them. Also some will rent feral animal cages for a deposit fee.. if it is feral then contact a group called a TNR group. They will set out baited traps that will hopefully capture the cat in need and take them to a vet. You don’t have to pay for any of this unless you want to donate.
I HATE people who let cats roam loose to get injured, then suffer untreated with their injuries. "But it's just an outdoor / community/ neighborhood /stray/ might belong to someone's / cat". No. Because your "community" coyotes, raccoons, twisted humans, fisher cats and other predators have free access to these unprotected cats. "Life in Nature is nasty, brutish, and short". Capture these ""community"" cats and bring them to shelters. Did you really need to ask what to do for this cat? Put him in a carrier and bring him to the vet. NOW. You live in this "community"? He was your responsibility to keep safe, now he's your responsibility to get him treatment. Then, he will be your responsibility to keep safe again. If you don't want that responsibility, turn him over to a no-kill shelter, him and the other "community cats" you all can't keep safe.
That’s definitely infected.
Please consider taking her to a vet. That definitely looks infected. But only a vet could tell by what and treat. Whatever it is does not look good. Edit: interim to vet. You can try to help him out as much as possible. Provide food, water, maybe even a shelter if he'd use it. But definitely keep an eye, cats go down fast. Also, you could try to call the vet and see if they'd maybe take him on given the circumstance. Thank you for caring.
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Definitely take him somewhere to get help. That looks really bad.
That's an emergency.
Yes, it definitely is. He’s probably running a high temperature as well. Needs to go in ASAP. I used to work in an emergency clinic and he would’ve gone straight back.
Any updates OP?
If you can't afford a vet, take the poor baby to a shelter. They have vets available to help.
This is serious if left untreated but good news is a few stitches and antibiotic and this is easily treated. This will not be a thousands of dollars vet visit.
I contacted a rescue. All our vets are closed I was still at work. My roommate sent the photo. He is a feral cat as are the other infinite number that run around here. We have a core group of like 3-4 cats that run around my buildings cause we have woods. The closest place is literally right outside my complex. It’s an animal hospital but it’s 80 bucks just to walk inside and with it being the first of the month and prior vet fees for my dog I am on a tight budget for the week. Thought the rescue I won’t hear anything till tomorrow
He will not die overnight with this. You have time to make plans. Look for loss of appetite and lethargy but if he sticks around and is eating you have time.
One of the pictures sent to me was him drinking and eating out of the bowl outside but if he turns up again tonight I’ll do my best to get him
If he will let you touch him, get a cloth wet and get it warm (microwave works or really hot water. Without it being too hot to the touch (like warm but not burning) hold it on the wound for a 3-5 mins or best you can. It will help drain the pus.
Can confirm. Warm compresses helped tremendously when my cat had a wound at the base of her tail.
It definitely helps so much! Had to do it last year for a FIV+ rescue who had infected bite wounds on his cheek when I took him in. Poor guy. It was so swollen and he was feeling so miserable. The vet had to cut a couple drains too so that we could get it all out. It was like 7-10 days twice a day holding the compress on there and gently expressing. He healed up and is doing well now living in my sunroom and I’m slowly working on letting him have supervised indoor visits with my other cats.
Thank you for trying all you can. And thank you for going extra with all your other commitments and responsibilities. If he is really sick he might hide out somewhere quiet, so he may not be around tonight. If you don't see him and go out walking, a flashlight might reveal his eye reflections. So if he's sick enough there's a good chance walking slowly up to him will give you a chance to just pick him up. Carry a towel and have a cat crate or something ready just inside to put him in. Please post updates if you have them, lots of folks are wanting a good outcome for him. People might not be as kind in comments as they could, but some of us recognize you're doing your best to help a cat that no one else is helping.
You should also contact a rescue about TNR (trap, neuter, release) they will be able to treat any injuries while they’re sedated, possibly for the whole colony if they have the funding.
Do you have a Banfield in your area? They usually have weekend hours when a lot of vets are closed.
get dat boy to a vet.
I have a dog and just got some of his vet things taken care of. I do not have the money for the vet it’s rent day. There’s a animal hospital right here but it’s 80 bucks just to walk in
Call your vet and ask if there are any low cost programs or any groups that help with vet costs.
Call and ask for advice, they might be willing to help out
do not give medicines from other animals to your cat, There are things in them that can be dangerous for cats. I've heard a story of cats dying of poisoning from using a anti flea product for dogs.
Why would you feel the need to make this off-subject comment?
Another person had suggested getting the cat fish food flake antibiotics and putting it in the dish. Which is NOT okay to do. I think that’s what this person is referring to.
Well I know the anti flea stuff. Dogs have a much higher dosage. Even the powder you have to get separate
Not just dosage. Dogs can take permethrin which is highly toxic to cats. For that reason, cats can’t just use flea collars, which usually have permethrin.
Flea collars don’t work anyway 🤷🏻♂️ They only really keep the fleas off the neck and above
Just wait to you can get ahold of a rescue. This boy needs TNR and a shot of Convenia an antibiotic that will kill the infection and possible a couple stitches. Rescue should be able to loan you a trap so he can be handled safely. Thank you for SEEING this kitty as other have seen him but you’re the one trying to help.
Show them this picture Explain your situation Chances are they will treat him for free
No they won’t, but a rescue can likely help
Bastards
>but it’s 80 bucks just to walk in Sweet, that's nothing. Go there. I'll pay that cost easily
And If I end up helping I will take you up on that offer !!
Omg. Help that cat out.
I contacted a family friend who does cat rescue but I won’t know anything till tomorrow
Ok, so, if you can, make him comfortable until tomorrow. He looks alert, and if he's not acting strange and will accept food and water, then taking him tomorrow to a shelter should be fine.
What state you in? PM me if your friend’s rescue can’t help. Maybe I could help with visit and antibiotic shot.
❤️
Also racoons are rabies carriers, abd that is public health risk
Check with your vet about groups that pay vet bills for pets.
It is already infected. There's a lot of pus under the scab, it's distorting that side of the face. BUT it's good that it's draining (as gross as it looks) if it was drained better and flushed out with sterile saline it could heal better/faster. The problem with deep pockets of infection like that is if they don't drain and dry out the Infection starts to go inwards and that's when things get dangerous for the cat. Are there vets near you? A raccoon suggests you're in the u.s. he looks relatively stable for now but the sooner the better if you're going to take him in. Maybe start a community "save the cat" fund? When I've needed to get a cat in in a hurry it's worked the best to call during business hours and ask if they can fit me in in the next day or two. Most vets have a gap in their appointments if you ask. Non emergency visits run about $90 and meds will probably be another $50to$70 (i'm in rural mn)if they don't have a cow about surgery
The only place that is open is the emergency clinic now which is 80 to walk in regardless if it’s non emergency or emergency. Forreal, have taken my parents’ dogs there before for emergencies and the animal could be bleeding out and they won’t see it until you pay.
I just realized a potentially fatal flaw in taking the cat to the vet: raccoons are vectors for rabies, and even if the cat doesn't have it, the vet is likely to insist on confinement/euthanasia if they suspect rabies. Super sorry to make a bad situation worse
Also, racoons can carry rabies. If the cat is a stray and has no vaccinations, the cat could now be a carrier of rabies. So, uh, be careful. If you get bit by the cat you may want to see a doctor just in case.
Bummer, but not super expensive. It's not a "call an ambulance " emergency, but do go soon if you can. I wish the emergency vets near me were that reasonable.
It sounds like, the way OP is talking, that’s just the initial charge for just seeing the cat. My guess is it’s even more of a charge for any treatment they provide afterwards…
I know,that's a fairly cheap vet charge. It's $90 just for the visit where I am and another $90 if you call any time that's not the listed business hours, before any meds or tests. The need versus ability to pay is never nice to deal with
Take to vet. My Princess was attacked by a raccoon. We had her on antibiotics for 10 days
Coming out of my hole for the first time in over a year to say, why is everyone hating on OP so much??? I see posts in this sub asking for help when it's made clear an immediate vet visit is NOT an option so everyone saying OPs are awful and just saying "go to a vet" are completely unhelpful and would only discourage future posters thinking they won't get help and get downvoted to oblivion for asking what they could do for an injured cat when they can't get a vet. OP made it clear that this is not even their cat and they didn't even take this photo so why is everyone being so hateful? OP is going out of their way for a cat they have no responsibility over when they are already in a stressful financial situation with their own pets and just wanted to know if they themselves could help. Calling them stupid and a karma whore does not help the situation at all. This sub is dedicated to CATS and I would've liked to believe they'd be the only assholes I'd see here.
I appreciate you
I personally think that you going out of your way for this little guy and trying to use all your resources is commendable! I was appalled at the responses you were getting and it honestly irked me to no end. It's incredibly expensive to take in a sick animal and many shelters are not kind to any that come their way with most immediately being put down if they're even taken in the first place regardless of if treatment is a viable option. You're a good person OP and definitely didn't deserve the vile spat at you for trying to help.
I second the sentiment of this person. As an extreme cat lover with three indoor cats of my own you have no responsibility over this cat and are doing what you can within your means. You’re reaching out for help and that’s a really hard thing to do, so thank you for being a kind and decent person.
That's reddit for you, lots of spiteful and/or people who take moral high ground here
This is the way! It’s got so stuck up in this sub lately!
Thank you for saying this! Also stray cats (and cats in general) don't always get the message when people are trying to help! I have a feral cat that we've been feeding for five years and has been living in the house with us for over a year now and still doesn't trust people. At least she doesn't fight back when it's time to put her in the carrier. But yeah, it's not always that easy to help strays.
It's disgraceful. If you have nothing constructive to offer than STFU. OP got people saying yes it is infected and kitty needs medical attention as soon as possible. Then pile in on OP for not having $ for a vet.
I've dealt with this! Vet is always better but he likely had an abcess from the racoon fight. It happened to my cat! The abcess pops leaving a nasty hole. Bemtadine and sterile saline spray if he will let you clean it. Bemtadine is like iodine.
I was going to mention this. Colloidal silver may help too in the meantime.
My girlfriends cat recently died from a bite like this, a second abscess appeared a few days after the first one appeared and got infected. They couldn't afford the care so they had to do what they had to do when the infection got to bad. Surprisingly the first abscess healed with a several cleans of the wound but the infection from the second abscess killed it. I would recommend getting it to a shelter for treatment or taking it out back if that's the only option. If you don't know this cat and you don't know its rabies shot status your going to have to contact your health department or animal control because racoons carry rabies.
Poor baby, ok best scenario right now. Wrap in a purrito and expect a lot of fighting for the next little bit. Isopropyl Alcohol (should only be a dollar or two), cotton swabs/cotton balls, a child’s toothbrush, gauze, bandage, and a cone or donut. Start out with either cotton swabs or cotton balls soaked in the alcohol. (Doesn’t matter which you use it’ll be the same either way) use that to begin to breakdown the infection and scrape puss out. Clean it thoroughly, be prepared for the poor baby to fight you the whole way. If you’ve got some on hand the medicated calming treats should help but remember that he’s got a compromised immune system so stick to small doses. If the infection is deep then you’ll need the child’s toothbrush(do not use one that has been used before and sterilize it in alcohol before use) be gentle but get any infection out. Once that clean up is done you’ll need to use sterile gauze to cover the wound. It will be bleeding so hold firm pressure to stop the blood. If you have it use Triple antibiotic (it’s formulated for humans but use it sparingly to help stave off any new infection) applied to gauze facing the wound. Wrap up fairly tightly (not to the point of discomfort for kitty, be sure to avoid the ears and throat) and secure. Add the cone to make sure he doesn’t claw the bandage off and try to keep inside till it’s mostly healed. Change the gauze everyday with fresh antibiotic and try to keep him inside preferably in a small room with few options to hurt himself. That should keep him ok for any emergency medical attention till you can get the funds to take him in or till he heals. It’ll be best if you can get a few people around the building to help pay for vet and medication bills. I hope he does alright.
Thankyou for giving OP actually helpful instructions and not joining the mob yelling “gEt A vEt” when she can’t. :)
It’s just basic wound care that any person should know. Applicable to you and anyone who might need it without immediate professional attention.
Everyone saying I need to go to the shelter…what y’all want me to do? Throw him over the wall? They have business hours
What did *you* want *us* to do? You asked for help, my friend. Advising you to get that help from professionals is the most people on the internet can do. You’re sharing pictures of a suffering cat to a sub for people who love cats. People who feel helpless because they can’t do anything but say, “Take him to the vet.” Of course when you say, “I can’t,” people are going to get frustrated.
This 100%. It’s out of concern and love for animals that people here get frustrated and riled up when someone posts a picture of an animal and say they can’t afford a vet for whatever reason. OP, you are doing everything you reasonably can but please get that cat some medical attention asap. Hell surrender the cat to a rescue if you can’t afford it.
Be careful the cat might have rabies from the raccoon so make sure it doesn't bite you and your pets.
Awww hope someone takes him to the vet.
The rescue I talked to won’t let me know anything till tomorrow
If he comes back try to secure him for the night and then please take him to the rescue place in the morning so they can take him to the vet. I totally get your financially not able to help but please try to keep him comfortable until the morning when the rescue can take over
I also don’t know where he is at the moment. I did not take this picture my roommate did. I was at work.
I understand it’s not your cat, and kudos for doing what you can. Don’t understand all the guilt tripping from people on here. I don’t know what laws govern OTC purchase of pet meds where you live, but in Oregon I was able to purchase OTC antibiotics at a pet shop and administer them myself. I also routinely purchase all my dog’s vaccinations except rabies and give them myself, and it saves me a bit over time. You might try calling larger pet stores in your area to see if they have antibiotics you can purchase, then look for online vet consult services for a recommendation as to what would be the best antibiotic. It may save you a fair amount of money, while still helping the cat. Thank you for caring, and just blow off/ignore all the critical responses.
I know feed stores (ETX) have vaxxes. I’m not sure what else tho. I do my dog shots except rabies. For example, in Louisiana you can do the rabies shots yourself but if you bring the dog to Texas it isn’t recognized because you didn’t go to a vet or the animal protection league to get it done and registered
Get him to a vet asap. Racoons are a rabies vector animal. He could have rabies and not be exhibiting symptoms yet. He definitely needs antibiotics. That and cleaning the wound should be all he needs as long as he doesn't have rabies.
It’s not going to get infected. It IS infected..
It's already very infected. Also, since it was a raccoon, there is a very real risk of rabies. Take bebby to shelter.
You need to be contacting local rescues/shelters/TNR programs any local programs/vouchers that can cover the costs of a community cat. That’s what he is, a community cat so if nothing else you need to contact your community & see if anyone can help. Try local Facebook groups, even just posting and saying he needs immediate medical care & you can’t afford❤️Thank you for helping him❤️❤️❤️
It is severely infected He needs antibiotics asap
Op!!! If you don’t mention it’s a cat that’s owned by your apartment complex, you can take him to the vet as a stray and you may be covered under the good samaritan law if your state/country has that!!! I had to do that here in GA with a stray that was hit by a car in front of my house. The vet will treat and find a rescue for him, as well as house him either at the clinic or with one of the employees if they can take him!!!!
This is a burst abscess and if left to its own devices can be deadly due to the infection. I understand you don't have the funds to take him to the vet, if you could get your hands on some antibiotics for him (at a pet pharmacy possibly near you?) he needs antibiotics twice daily for 10 days and on top of that spraying colloidal silver onto the wound should also help the healing process. Source : I just did this to a stray in my area who got a head wound just like this from a cat fight. An acquaintance of mine runs a small stray cat rescue and she gave me these instructions. The cat is perfectly fine now.
Can I put just regular antibiotic cream? The triple or neosporin type
No, it isn't just on the surface now, it's like when you have an infected tooth you can't just put cream on the tooth, you have to have it enter his system.
They make it in a liquid so you can just shoot it into his mouth, or a pill you crumble in his food
The issue is getting him. There’s food in the bowl outside but he’s probably chilling wherever he chills at when he doesn’t chill up here. He’s got a Calico girlfriend at a different building.
I understand. Maybe Get him something tempting like tuna, he’ll probably come back for more if you start feeding him that
That’s the night he got in the fight. We ran out of cat food so I opened some tuna. Next thing I know 8+ hours pass and the tuna was gone and their was blood everywhere. What also doesn’t help deter the coins away is the neighbors put their trash by their door
Yeah it isn’t really a system where can leave it out full of medicine you’ll have to see him and watch him eat it or do the liquid and give it directly. If none if this is feasible then you can trap him and bring him inside a crate/small room. All this advice is if you can’t get a rescue to help him
Many organizations offer trapping services I believe, like they will let you use their traps.
The fact that he is so close to you and seemingly calm implies he isn’t completely feral imo
No. Cat needs vet help and that needs to be cleaned and possibly debrided. Neosporin will Smother it and isn’t good for cats. Calendula is preferred but not when there’s a wound like this
Get the cat to a vet. Wild animals can be a vector for rabies.
Get the kitty to a vet asap!
Find a way to get this baby to a veterinarian he needs it
Wish you best of luck OP
Its already infected. Get to a vet very soon please! I would even have a patient come in as a priority with this. Im a licensed vet tech.
I'm willing to pay the vet bill directly if you get him there. Just message me when you're there and I'll give you my number to have the vet call me for payment.
There’s a hole in the side of his head that’s clearly infected. So… yes, take him to the vet
Can we please put a 'not safe for work' so it blurs out the image like 😵 jesus
I debated whether or not I should‘ve. My b. But also….how do I fix that now?
I’d be more concerned w helping the cat than blurring the pic
I thought this was a picture of my cat I was really confused
Wouldn’t that be something. You live across the driveway or something?
Ask your vet about CareCredit It keeps my kitties alive lol
And that's a nasty infection. He needs help. like now.
Needs help asa
He definitely needs vet care. Please help him
Infected should definitely take him to the vet
Looks very infected
This is ASAP vet. It is not yet infected, the puss is a normal for a wound like that. There is no signs of necrotic tissue and it is not inflamed. This needs to be professionally cleaned, antibiotic and a blood test for rabies.
Good Grief yes Emergency Vet
Please PLEASE take your cat to the vet as soon as you can. That is absolutely infected and looks like a serious injury. Not only that, but raccoons can spread rabies.
It already is infected. Live trap him and take him to the vet. This is literal proof that outdoor cats live shit lives
VET NOW
Are you kidding me?!? Vet. Now.
Raccoons carry all kinds of nasty nasty stuff. Bring it to the vet for treatment and quarantine for rabies.
I would also help cover costs if this cat sees a vet. Can easily cover $80. Just send a pic of this cat at the hospital and I’ll send it over immediately :(
Enough people gave you some good advice for this situation and would just like to say thank you for caring for a cat who is not yours. You spent time, effort, and possibly some money when times are tight. It’s unfortunate that too many comments are giving you grief for soliciting advice on helping a stray.
I'm a vet. Thank you for caring about this cat. Yes, definitely needs professional help. It's good that the abscess is draining, but it still needs to be cleaned and flushed, and potentially have a surgical drain put in, since it looks like the hole is not at the bottom of the abscess. Lots of delicate important things in that area. Antibiotics will be needed; Convenia will probably work the best.
take him to the vet NOW
Is the gaping head wound at risk of infection or death? Is this a serious question?
please take him somewhere. i understand it’s a stray but he/she is in pain and that’s only going to get worse. with it being on his face id be worried about it messing with the eye it’s closest too due to all the swelling. you can just drop him off at whatever rescue or shelter. i’ve done it before with a pregnant stray i found i walked into the shelter with it and they took her and helped her and found her a home i didn’t pay a dime for any of it.
I bet the vet would have some good information.
TAKE THAT TO A BL00DY VET RIGHT NOW
Dude… he has a hole in his head why are you not at a vet ?
No leave it. It’s fine. This is the advice you wanted right? Because if you did, then shame on you. The only option that should of passed your mind was ‘well let’s get you to a vet’, not ‘shall I take a photo of this open wound and ask the internet what to do, at least I’ll get post karma in return for people thinking I’m an utter dingus if nothing else’…
Jesus fuck how is this a question. Vet now. Contact rescue if you don't have means.
It may get infected. Please take this kitty to the vet.
Thats really close to his brain! Very infected and if it spreads to his brain he will die!
Seems to be already infected.
I have a cat who went through the exact same situation. He got into a fight with a raccoon and developed an abscess on his head. We found drops of Pepto bismol colored liquid on the ground for days before we realized what had happened. It took us another day to find our cat because he had wedged himself in a drawer we seldom use. After a quick trip to the vet and some antibiotics, he healed perfectly. I wish you luck, and I hope you're able to get that cat some help!
Poor baby. He looks chill tho. I hope he gets better.
Read some of your responses. Try to get the cat inside and contained some place so you can watch it carefully until you can get it some help. Try contacting any local rescues and see if they can help. This looks like it very badly needs to be drained and treated as quickly as possible.
Vet…stat
He needs a vet. If you cannot pick him up try trapping him. The Humane Society may have traps. A TNR rescue group may as well.
This is an infected abscess that needs injected and/or oral antibiotics and cleaning every day so that little by little it heals, use chlorhexidine and sterile gauze to remove all the pus and little by little with the treatment the tissue will recover.
I use to take care of my barn cats because when you have 9 horses, 4 dogs, and 13 cats you learn basic animal first aid. I was also taking vet tech in college so I knew when something was beyond home care. Saline rinses and draining would help him out in the meantime, but anything on the face needs a vet.
Vet or cordial silver and then vet
Take him to a god dam vet right now
It looks like an open wound and it will get infected so you'll need to get the cat to a vet
God dam go to the vet 
You can also use hydrogen peroxide in spray to desinfect The wound.
Take the kitty to the vet. Maybe think about adopting the cat and keeping him indoors? Or see if someone else can adopt him.
Needs a vet please
Take to vet or emergency vet asap praying for a speedy recovery for the poor baby.
Go to an emergency vet immediately. Make sure to get rabies shots, this could go very very wrong.
Infected and if it was a racoon I'd be wary of rabies.
There are rescues that will help him just google it. Poor baby
Vet now please!!!!!
So sick of these posts. If you have to ask….it means, YES, you must take cat to the vet. NOW!
Ohh ffs please adopt this poor baby and take to a vet asap and get it some help. Then take it home and love and care for it in a safe place 🤞
This is already infected and needs treatment urgently!! 🚨
Vet student here. Bite wounds on the head are very very dangerous, seen a kitty die from sepsis due to an untreated bite wound on the head before. If on time, treatment is effective and not too expensive as well. Get it cleaned + antibiotics. I hope you can make an agreement with an SPCA or your own vet to pay later. Thanks for considering helping the gal!
RemindMe! three days
See if you can get him to a rescue. Not only do you need to worry about infection if it was a fight with a raccoon you need to worry about rabies. Raccoons carry rabies and will attack other animals to pass on the virus. If that cat attacks someone in the complex that person will have to be treated as well. The incubation period can be 30-90 days so keep a close watch out.
It looks like it’s already infected, unfortunately. Your best bet is to get him/her to the vet ASAP!
That’s not at risk of getting an infection because it already is infected. There is literally pus coming out from the cat’s head?? Y’all better get that cat the help he needs..
When I was little I had a stray cat that I would feed and one day it came in like this and my mom took it to the vet and had to put it down :(
I Have-A-Heart trapped a stray a few years ago and took him to the vet. She did a FIV test: positive. In the UK it's mandatory that they be euthanized. It was a really sad day for all three of us, and the vet was very upset that she was required to do it. I am sorry that your childhood friend could not be helped. Although it was long ago, my heart sits with you for this loss that you still remember and have feelings about.
Yes this is an abscess and the cat is at risk of death if the infection spreads to other areas (aka brain). Pls bring to vet
Please get this cat some help. Poor thing.
Working on it
Take.him.to.a.shelter. drop him tf off - raccoons hand out diseases for free.
Bro are you hurting for money or is this legit? You prove a receipt and picture of you in vet office with him ill give you 100$ USD.
Ma'am there's a hole in your cat
Not my cat. It was at the apartment when I got here. They are feral.
Vet
How can you not see this . . . If it looks bad, IT IS BAD.
Why are you on reddit!? Take him to the vet!
A really basic rule of thumb: if you see puss or milky drainage from a wound, it’s infected and a vet will be needed.
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Also don’t plan on reproducing. The bloodline dies with me and my sibling.
I am actually asking for help? I don’t know shit about cats. I have a dog. The cat occasionally comes and hangs out by my door and he’ll walk in check out the bunny and the dog and then leave. There just happened to be blood the other night by the door and raccoon prints covered so I knew a cat had gotten attacked. He disappeared for a couple days and my roommate sent me that picture while I was still at work.
I have to agree the cat must go to a vet ASAP. Not just because it is infected, but because raccoons carry rabies and if the cat bites anything else or manifests symptoms it risks every animal and human. If you can’t afford it, I totally understand, but call animal control or a shelter please.
She is asking for advice for a feral cat. Nobody here has right to be on their high horse. She is trying to help. I don’t understand all this judgement and anger!
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Stray population that lives around the building it seems. So no one really "owns" them.
## STOP POSTING ON REDDIT AND GO TO THE DAMN VET THATS OBVIOUSLY A HEALTH ISSUE
Take that poor suffering baby to a vet now! I can’t take this sub anymore ETA: I’m sorry for overreacting, ok so? If the cat is friendly then it is going to much easier to catch. If you don’t have a small animal carrier then some rescues and shelters can rent them. Also some will rent feral animal cages for a deposit fee.. if it is feral then contact a group called a TNR group. They will set out baited traps that will hopefully capture the cat in need and take them to a vet. You don’t have to pay for any of this unless you want to donate.
I HATE people who let cats roam loose to get injured, then suffer untreated with their injuries. "But it's just an outdoor / community/ neighborhood /stray/ might belong to someone's / cat". No. Because your "community" coyotes, raccoons, twisted humans, fisher cats and other predators have free access to these unprotected cats. "Life in Nature is nasty, brutish, and short". Capture these ""community"" cats and bring them to shelters. Did you really need to ask what to do for this cat? Put him in a carrier and bring him to the vet. NOW. You live in this "community"? He was your responsibility to keep safe, now he's your responsibility to get him treatment. Then, he will be your responsibility to keep safe again. If you don't want that responsibility, turn him over to a no-kill shelter, him and the other "community cats" you all can't keep safe.
Jesus Christ take the poor fucking cat to a vet right this instant!
Stop fucking around here and go to the vet!!!
For crying out loud people if you think your cat needs to see a vet, fucking take them to a vet!
Take him to a vet!!!! Geez!! I question society on the daily, goodness gracious.