senior cat with open lesion on tail - options
Jan 13, 2015 at 9:52am Edited
Did the vet give you antibiotics or a collar for the cat in case he/she licks the area? I had this with one of my cats years ago. The vet drained the lesion, gave antibiotics and a collar so he wouldn't lick it and it healed. Who was the vet if you don't mind saying?
Dr. Johnson is very very good along with Dr. Stack. They are my vet too. Does your cat lick the tail where the lesion is? Since it is a senior cat I would try to avoid surgery too. See if other posters have experience or ideas too. But the collar really worked with my cat once I got him to keep it on. The first day I came home with him, he went into the closet. I thought he was going to hide for a while. About half an hour later he came out minus the collar. Apparently it wasn't tight enough and he wanted it off, so I had to fix it for him so he couldn't get it off.
I'll look into the collar option. He won't like it, but it beats amputation.
It doesn't hurt to ask if you can try it. Just make sure he gets the antibiotic while he is wearing the collar. Have you ever used a collar before? I ask because I wasn't prepared for feeding time. If the bowl is on the floor the little one can't eat because the collar gets in the way. I had to "jerry rig" something so he could eat. But you are definitely in good hands with Valley Vet.
I like Dr. Johnson a lot. However, in a situation this serious, perhaps asking Dr. Stack for a 2nd opinion might be a good idea.
Did you talk to the vet about those 2 options?
Unless you are watching the cat 24/7 it might make it worse if he wants to get the wrapping off and really goes for the tail. I would think too that you would want air to get to the wound to dry it up.
What is holding you back from the collar idea? If it is the feeding time all you have to do is to put the bowl of food on a "pedestal" like box that is smaller than the collar or something just so it is off the ground.
Unless you are watching the cat 24/7 it might make it worse if he wants to get the wrapping off and really goes for the tail. I would think too that you would want air to get to the wound to dry it up.
What is holding you back from the collar idea? If it is the feeding time all you have to do is to put the bowl of food on a "pedestal" like box that is smaller than the collar or something just so it is off the ground.
So, after doing a bit of research, I decided to put a bandage on the cat's tail. He didn't mind the bandage and. After 2 and 1/2 days, we removed it and the wound was well on its way to healing. So, it looks like all is well.
Not so fast. So, the cat licked the scab off and earned himself a visit with Dr. Stack. He gave us a collar and some topical anti-biotic to apply to the would. He did a cell culture and said he didn't think it was from cancer and said that he thinks it should heal if the cat doesn't lick it.
The cat isn't thrilled about the collar but is being a good sport.
The cat isn't thrilled about the collar but is being a good sport.
The collar is the way to go if you want it to heal. It's not the worst thing in the world for the cat. Your cat was licking it because it was probably itchy when it was healing. I don't understand though how you can go from amputation to collar?
Dr. Johnson was of the opinion that healing was unlikely and amputation might be the only option. Dr. Stack seems to think it can heal if the cat doesn't lick it. My job is to humor the cat.
I always liked Dr. Stack. He is practical and goes the lesser of the two evils route. Good Luck. Hope your kitty heals fast so the collar can come off.
Totally off topic, but was wondering if your Dr. Johnson is the same woman who worked with Dr. Levine in South Orange. If it is, I would always go with a second opinion, as I found EVERY time she saw an animal of ours, she misdiagnosed the problem and over medicated ($$), not solving the problem and requiring another vet visit.
tjohn said:
Dr. Johnson was of the opinion that healing was unlikely and amputation might be the only option. Dr. Stack seems to think it can heal if the cat doesn't lick it. My job is to humor the cat.
Well, the wound wouldn't heal and the tail had to come off so now I have a bobcat. I think once the fur grows back it will look pretty decent. Right now, the naked stub doesn't look so good.
Oh no... at least you tried the simplest solution. Poor baby ! I hope he bounces back quick and gets used to his new look.
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Thanks.