Abscess help - could kitty be causing it?

IMPORTANT: If your cat is in any distress or discomfort, please consult your own vet as your first priority.
Post Reply
spinsterandpet
New Cat Chatter
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:51 pm

Abscess help - could kitty be causing it?

Post by spinsterandpet »

Hi there
I love my ex-feral moggy FIV Steve age 16 with all my heart. I've got a nasty medical problem at the mo, and have various other controllable chronic illness - all controllable except this one. I have been getting very bad, very big abscesses (4 inches) on my leg. Steve scratches me when I am asleep to wake me up, and the recent crop of wounds have all infected. They infect very fast, causing A&E trips, and I am struggling to keep working.

Steve is old and getting dirty - he won't have his claws clipped and he claws me with rubbish claws after he goes to the loo in the night. Could he be causing the abscesses? He is also getting incontinent and has breathing problems, but otherwise is a happy, purry cat.

Can you think of anything to help? I am a touch desperate - I don't want to lose him.
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: Abscess help - could kitty be causing it?

Post by booktigger »

I suppose it is possible depending on your health issues, could you shut him out of your room?
User avatar
fjm
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 1675
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:11 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: North West England

Re: Abscess help - could kitty be causing it?

Post by fjm »

I think it is highly probable. I would second keeping him out of your bedroom at night, and keeping your legs covered in stout trousers when you are around him. Having antiseptic wipes to hand and cleaning any little scratches during the day may help. I would also teach him to permit claw clipping - use a reward based approach, and reckon on spending two months not clipping his claws, but teaching him that it is a pleasant and comfortable activity. If he is a relaxed sort of cat who enjoys petting it is not too difficult if you are patient and take things slowly.

Start by touching a paw and rewarding him with whatever he likes best. When he is very comfortable with this treat for holding a paw. Then spreading his toes and gently touching each claw. Several very short sessions every day,, when you are both comfortable and relaxed, and always going at his pace. Then touch a paw with safety clippers (the kind with a guard to prevent cutting too deeply), and work back up to touching each claw. Then snip just in front of the claws. Only when he is very relaxed with all of this try snipping the merest millimetre from one extended claw, treating generously. Once he lets you clip them, take great care never to cut into the quick, and don't push your luck by doing more toes at a time than he is comfortable with - if you once get into a battle you will have to start all over again from the beginning!
User avatar
Lilith
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 3600
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:00 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: West Yorks

Re: Abscess help - could kitty be causing it?

Post by Lilith »

Agreed ... and sympathies because I have one who won't have her claws trimmed ... I'm only just training her to have her head stroked ... (what's this ear then?) Cats!

I can recommend Hibiscrub if you've not heard of it already - you can get it via Amazon, and I think Boots do it too. Apparently hospitals and dentists use it and it does seem to zap infections. Occasionally I have to escort a strange cat out of my secured garden and get scratted - I squirt it on neat! Yes, I would keep him out of the bed or wear something on your legs, good luck and I hope things improve for you :)
Post Reply