2 days ago I found a kitten on my back porch approx 8-10 wks old. He/She seems somewhat feral, hissing a lot and malnourished. It's entire tail is devoid of hair and the skin is raw and oozing and there were tons of maggots near the base. Most of the fur on his hind end is wet with some blood and I have no idea what else. It smells horrible. I'm not sure if this is an internal disease coming from the anal area (or disease) or his tail got caught in something and the entire outer layer was ripped away. I can't afford a vet - heck, I can't afford gas - and our shelter had no room to take him, so for now I'm mixing leftover feline liquid antibiotics with wet food, spraying bactine on the tail and applying neosporin (when he lets me touch him). I took a chance and used some frontline on him as well figuring if it kills flea larva it would kill maggots too (and it did seem to work). I have 3 cats of my own and 2 dogs, I'm afraid this may be a disease they can catch although I'm keeping them inside the kitten on the porch where he seems to feel content and safe. I worry I may inadvertently pass something to my own animals but I'm more inclined to think it's and injury. I honestly don't know what sorts of diseases I need to look for or their symptoms. I plan to give use dewormer tonight and treat him for ear mites, but other than that, I have no clue what to do with him or what to look for. He seems better after 2 doses of meds and food. I'm not seeing the maggots after the frontline application but he's not letting me get up close and personal either. The bactine doesn't seem to be doing all that much but it's only been about a day since I started all this. Any thoughts or suggestions??
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat
Injured/Sick Stray. No funds but Want to help
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Posted 3 years ago by lawsonj123 #
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Glad you came to our site lawsonj123..I wouldn't know where to begin however there are others who are very good with advice in these situations. I did want to say how much I appreciate your helping this poor ailing little one. I think you're wonderful and pray that you'll receive the advice needed to successfully treat him. He's so lucky to have come to your door. Be sure to check back here for advice as some of our posters work or live in other countries and timezones and won't post til later. :D
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Hi Lawson,welcome to TDK. You're doing just fine for your new kitty as far as feeding him and the antibiotics too. I'm not sure what to do about the maggots as I haven't dealt with them so far,how he does depends on how deep the wound is. Regarding communicable diseases if he doesn't have a runny nose,eye discharge he probably doesn't have an airborne disease that can spread to your kitties. Good handwashing and keeping your other kitties away from him will probably keep them from catching blood borne diseases like feline leukemia and feline aids.
Others will stop by and comment who have more experience than I do. Thanks for taking care of this kitty! -
It sounds like maybe he did get his tail caught in something or run over.
If the maggots aren't too deep, they will end up cleaning off all the dead tissue. You do need to get them off him(her) before they start eating good tissue.
I wouldn't try deworming him until he is in a little better shape - you don't want to subject his system to too much at one time.
Can you call your vet (or the shelter) and ask if someone could just take a look at the kitten to be sure that the maggots/injury isn't too far gone to save him? Or maybe just have his tail amputated?
I know money is a problem but if your vet is willing to take dribs and drabs, some of us may be able to help a little. We would need the vet's name and address to send whatever we can afford.
But first, make sure you are not just prolonging a life that isn't viable.
Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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It does sound like an injury, poor thing must have been hiding under the hood of a car and got it caught in a fan belt. A vet check at the Humane Society would be good, as Buttercup suggested just to see if there is hope. But I wouldn't put Bactine on it, I don't think it is safe for a kitten to lick it from the area, as he will be to heal himself.
Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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Lawson, I agree with CBM, the maggots need to be removed gently of course. They need to be rinsed off or something. They will eat him alive if you don't. They spread so fast. I know, I had two kitties with them and I vainly tried to remove them but they had gotten into her internally. Best wishes for your kitty that it gets better.
Posted 3 years ago by Renee in Arkansas #
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I had a cat that sustained a major tail injury. I had to have his tail amputated and it was about $100. I thought it would be a lot more than that but it wasn't. Neosporin is good and it won't hurt cats if they lick it off. The maggots need to be tended to by a vet. Hopefully you can call your vet and he will help.......
Good Luck with the little fella.
Posted 3 years ago by tinafishfrombirthplaceofElvis #
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you may want to change your clothing entirely and keep your shoes in the garage or wherever your indoor cats can't get to. shower immediately after going in. these things will minimize any exposure to your indoor cats until you know better what is going on with him...
put the used clothing in a plastic bag immediately before you shower and get it into the washer asap...
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Definitely no to bactine. It is alcohol based and will hurt. Neosporin would be good. The three antibiotics are also found in oral medications. The concentration will be so low that any injested amounts will probably not even be absorbed to the bloodstream.
He really must see a vet. Call around to the rescues and shelters, they may be able to point you to a free or low cost clinic.Posted 3 years ago by ailuromaniac #
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Shave the fur first. Afterwards it is easier to remove the maggots.
http://www.petplace.com/cats/myiasis-maggots-in-cats/page1.aspxWelcome to TDK and good luck to you!
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Wow! I'm at work (shhhh you didn't hear that-I was never here!) I only just now checked back and I'm so pleased by all your responses, thank you so much. I appreciate the comments about the bactine (I didn't think about him ingesting it-and I should have) and especially about the maggots. I am sure the frontline (or bactine) did something positve since I could no longer see them on the surface this morning. I didn't consider that they might go internal or under the skin. Payday is tomorrow, I guess I will put the new vacuum cleaner off another month and take him to the clinic in the morning. I have to admit, he's a fighter, can't believe he even feels like eating. He actually purred this a.m. when he let me scratch his head and I honestly didn't expect him to be alive this morning. LOL man, the animals have me pegged! I just released a squirrel that was no bigger than a mouse when my cat brought him to my attention--fell out of the nest I guess. Anyway, he grew up in my living room and now lives in the pecan tree out back, he's my buddy and waits to jump on me everyday when I come home. I secretly think he told this kitty about me and that's why it suddenly appeared. Anyway, thank you all for your help and support and you have no idea how much I appreciate your comments. Thank you again!
Posted 3 years ago by lawsonj123 #
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I'm SO glad you're taking this kitten to the vet! That's really what he needs, more than anything else.
In the meantime, right before you apply Neosporin to the open wounds/sores, I recommend using a 50% water / 50% hydrogen peroxide solution; just dab it on, making sure to use enough to get the entire wound. It won't sting, but the bubbling sensation may alarm the kitten a bit.
Go ahead and continue to feed, water, clean, and medicate the kitten. You probably should keep him confined until the vet visit tomorrow. Also, I'd consider no food after midnight, or only a tablespoon or two of food in the morning. That's in case surgery has to happen right away, so the kitten won't vomit due to anesthesia.
Be sure you share everything you've been doing with the veterinarian, so he or she can make appropriate recommendations.
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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Where do you live, lawsonj123? If it's not too far away I would be happy to send you my mother-in-laws' vacuum. She's been moved to a home and doesn't need it anymore. Then you could treat the kitten AND clean house.
Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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I live in North Carolina... and I appreciate the offer. It's okay, mine is taped together and doesn't do too well on the dog hair (shedding season has not been pleasant at my house), but it will do for a while longer, I'm sure everyone with animals understands how wonderful a new vacuum can be (at least until the first clog). I should actually look at the bright side of all this, I can procrastinate a serious housecleaning thanks to my new little friend.
Posted 3 years ago by lawsonj123 #
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Time for me to leave... Thanks again for the help and will send an update on the kitten once I find something out.
Posted 3 years ago by lawsonj123 #
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try www.craigslist.com or www.freecycle.com
you might be able to get a vacumn cleaner at a very reduced price or free !!!
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Just caught this thread. I thought maggots only attacked dead tissue. Hmmmmm. Guess I'll have to check it out.
Another hero hit TDK. Hope everything works our for you and the kitty. Sounds like that squirrel did send him right to you. Keep us informed, and bless you for being an angel in disguise....
Posted 3 years ago by artistabobbi TX 1/17 #
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Bumping...
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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How is the kitten doing?
Posted 3 years ago by SylMiaFelixMomma #
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bump - any news Lawson? Welcome to TDK by the way!
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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and chipin.com is a good site to set up for contributions - a lot of little amounts soon add up!
Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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