Daz was a bit quiet yesterday, and I did notice a small spiky clump of hair on his head right on one of his 'eyebrows'. The bunnies must be fighting back again - it must have been a small abcess, as today it has obviously burst and he has a big messy scab forming there, and he's back to his usual self. I've given it a good clean with salt water and it actually looks OK, I'm just debating whether I should take him to the vets for an antibiotic shot. I hate the idea of using ABs unnecessarily, but I've never had a cat with an abcess that's not had them ......
I'm tempted to just keep an eye on it, and him, for a couple of days and keep cleaning it. What do you guys think? Any advice much appreciated.
Daz's in the wars again
- Kay
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
personally I suspect vets overprescribe abs - they are only needed if an infection is present, which would appear not to be the case here - or not yet, anyway
best IMO to save your pennies and protecdt Daz's long term resistant level to abs until you know by smell and warmth that they are really needed
best IMO to save your pennies and protecdt Daz's long term resistant level to abs until you know by smell and warmth that they are really needed
- Lilith
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Poor old Daz!
Yeah, I agree - a small clearly get-at-able abscess, if the cat will let you keep cleaning and draining it, can often respond to home treatment.
When my lot roamed I always found abscesses reared their ugly heads as soon as the vet closed...years ago the current ginger tom was on my knee one evening, and I saw it, the great lump behind his ear (he was like your Daz, off hunting a lot, and he hadn't even been quiet or off his food, nothing to alert me.)
He was a very soppy boy and so I tentatively placed a thumb either side of the thing, applied a tiny bit of pressure...and a great jet of pus shot out and hit me on the shoulder!
HE just went on purring!
Hope Daz is better soon
Yeah, I agree - a small clearly get-at-able abscess, if the cat will let you keep cleaning and draining it, can often respond to home treatment.
When my lot roamed I always found abscesses reared their ugly heads as soon as the vet closed...years ago the current ginger tom was on my knee one evening, and I saw it, the great lump behind his ear (he was like your Daz, off hunting a lot, and he hadn't even been quiet or off his food, nothing to alert me.)
He was a very soppy boy and so I tentatively placed a thumb either side of the thing, applied a tiny bit of pressure...and a great jet of pus shot out and hit me on the shoulder!
HE just went on purring!
Hope Daz is better soon
- Crewella
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Thanks, you've both voiced my own feelings so I'll just keep an eye on it for now, and keep it clean. xx
- greenkitty
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
I agree, you know Daz and abscesses well enough to know if he needs a trip to the vet. Fusses for my favourite white chap x
- MarkB
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Given that it has burst, I agree that it is best to keep an eye. No doubt you will check his ears aren;t getting hot etc.
Not long after I adopted Kylie, she had a burst absess. I DID take her to the vet. I was told that her temperature was slightly raised, but that her body would deal with it - £50 please!!! - an expensive Islington vet, 14 years ago + a bus ride with a grumpy cat after a long day at work!
Not long after I adopted Kylie, she had a burst absess. I DID take her to the vet. I was told that her temperature was slightly raised, but that her body would deal with it - £50 please!!! - an expensive Islington vet, 14 years ago + a bus ride with a grumpy cat after a long day at work!
- Crewella
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Just to update, it scabbed up nicely and the scab has just gone - he now has a bald spot the size of a ha'penny in the middle of one of his 'eyebrows'!
Thanks guys, I will always be concerned about abcesses, of course, but not quite as likely to whip 'em straight down the vets whatever from now on. An expensive trip with a grumpy cat definitely isn't something to undertake without a darned good reason! xx
Thanks guys, I will always be concerned about abcesses, of course, but not quite as likely to whip 'em straight down the vets whatever from now on. An expensive trip with a grumpy cat definitely isn't something to undertake without a darned good reason! xx
- bobbys girl
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Some good news, Helen. Fusses to the little boy.
- Lilith
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Re: Daz's in the wars again
Glad he's recovered, bless him