Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: tigertail on March 15, 2008, 20:54:34 PM

Title: Help Help
Post by: tigertail on March 15, 2008, 20:54:34 PM
I have accidently cut pumpkin by trying to cut off some matted fur near his armpit.  How do I keep the area clean and discinfected?  Poor little boy I can't believe I have been so stupid!!!!I feel awful. Terrible.  What should I do?
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: blackcat on March 15, 2008, 20:57:40 PM
ooooh I bet you are feeling sick to the stomach. Poor you and poor pumpkin.

If it is just skin you have cut ('just?') then I would just keep an eye on it and make sure it does not get infected - it should heal by itself. If it is into the muscle then you should probably see the vet, in case it needs stitches ...

 :sick:
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: blackcat on March 15, 2008, 21:01:36 PM
BTW to avoid doing that in future, pinch the clump you are clipping between your fingers and cut on the finger side, not the skin side ... :hug:
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: ccmacey on March 15, 2008, 21:21:04 PM
Isnt there more bleeding with a less serious cut at its closer to the surface?
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: tigertail on March 15, 2008, 21:58:13 PM
There is no bleeding.  But it must be sore.  I spoke to a friend and sh said, imagine cutting your finger while peeling a vegetable - it would be a similar cut.  My poor little chap.  He seems happy though.  Not bothered,  Should I bathe it in salt water or leave it?
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on March 15, 2008, 22:07:34 PM
How big is the cut?
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: tigertail on March 15, 2008, 22:11:40 PM
I don't know - I can't look at it again.  He is asleep and I don't want to disturb him.  I would say a few centimetres. 
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on March 15, 2008, 22:13:10 PM
I'd take him to the vet in case it needs stitches as the armpit area is hard to heal naturally because of the constant moment.
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: ccmacey on March 15, 2008, 22:28:57 PM
Have you actually looked at it? What sort of cut is it? Deep, just a surface graze?

If he's not loosing blood and showing no discumfort I would just take him to vets on Monday so they can check it out.
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: tigertail on March 15, 2008, 22:39:24 PM
Thanks guys.  I do not feel good at all. I will ring the emergency vet tomorrow and see what they say.
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Maddiesmum on March 16, 2008, 07:20:52 AM
Hope he is ok.
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: tigertail on March 18, 2008, 22:33:54 PM
Just wanted to let you know that Pumpkin is ok.  I had him booked into the vets as they said it is better to make an appointment and cancel than need to go in and not be able to.  However, I did cancel as he has been charging around for days.  He and Menu have been up to mischief and managed to tear down some wallpaper in my bedroom.  The cut is healing very well.  However, he is a proper boy and wants to be charging around more than he wants to be examined, so it is not easy.  Thank you for your concerns as I was inconsolable when it happened!
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: ccmacey on March 18, 2008, 22:44:03 PM
Tigertail were you QP?
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on March 18, 2008, 22:47:55 PM
I am so pleased that he is Ok cos sometimes these little cuts can get infected.

I would always make sure that you put a comb between the clump and the skin and then you wont catch the skin.

If the clump is too close to the skin just let it grow away from the skin a bit before attacking. Sometimes you will only be able to cut the top off the clump but that will help to start loosening it. Never just cut without protection between th e scissors and the skin though  ;D
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Maddiesmum on March 19, 2008, 06:39:00 AM
Glad he's ok
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: CurlyCatz on March 19, 2008, 10:08:42 AM
Its the easiest area to damage skin under the front arm pits so dont beat yourself up too much, i have done this myself even when the cat has been under ga, it happens.

Glad to hear its healing but i would have gone with the vet app as its a common area to need a stitch or two.
Title: Re: Help Help
Post by: Millys Mum on March 21, 2008, 16:34:45 PM
Tigertail were you QP?

Yes what did happen to queen penguin and the lovely menue  :shify: