cat experts--solve my mystery

[debm]

Ok...so I've never been around cats much because I'm allergic to them but in the last few years we have rescued strays, and unwanted ones from the pound. Yes, all 3 are outdoor cats which I know some will disagree with but we live on 5 acres and after some experimenting they are kept in at night--either the garage, laundry room or our teenager's room and even during the day the kids will take them into their rooms for awhile. They are more played with and loved on then our dogs! I just can't have them all around the house all day but my allergies are much better than when I was growing up. Oh and they are all neutered, shots, etc. But twice in the last 2 months our 2 year old cat has had fur missing from his face. Obviously he got in a fight with something. Last time it was a 3 inch gash along his cheek, and this time it is an inch square section under his ear. So the question is: IS THERE A WAY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS DOING THIS? Yes, I know it will be hard because he is outside some but could it be one of the other cats? I know it isn't the baby one but perhaps the one (Jack) we adopted in October. I know they don't really care for each other but wev'e only heard one loud squawking session that lasted just seconds shortly after we rescued Jack. Neither cat has any other marks on him. Just what is on Max's face. At first I thought maybe he stuck his head into an animal's hole the first time. So I'm wondering if the 2 cats could fight, Max get so cut up in one spot and the other cat have nothing on him. It looks like a bite to me since all the fur is gone. Do cats bite each other like that or just scratch usually? Jack and the little one usually stay right close to the house. We know Max tends to wander a bit farther. He is the quiet hunter that is more the typical elusive, cat that keeps to himself----although the past few nights he has snuggled with our son all night. So we are thinking maybe he is having a run-in with something on his hunting expeditions. The kids are more attached to Max than Jack but mainly we don't want to see him hurting the other if that could be the case. So I would rather find another home for Jack than take a chance that he would really really hurt Max. Any ideas?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You need to go over the cats with a fine tooth comb and look for punctures.

Cats that are in a fight together will bite deep and leave punctures. They are very easy to miss because they will scab over quick. Get a damp washcloth and go over their body. You need to feel every part of the body for the punctures. If a bite is bad it gets really infected and makes the cat sick.

Max might be snuggling because he is sick with an infection. Taking the cats temp will tell if he is sick or not.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Do you have any opossums or raccoons on your property? I had cats growing up and our 1 outdoor cat would get into tangles with animals much bigger than him!

If the cats act ok around each other all the time in front of you then I don't know that they would have these serious fights resulting in the injuries you describe just when the humans aren't around. Cats are pretty vocal when the don't like other cats.

 

[debm]

Yes, we do have coons and possums on our property. We seem them in our backyard some nights as they come for the dropped bird seed. We also have lots of moles but I dont think they could do much---aren't they really small? The kids are feeling both cats for puncture wounds but I don't think they have them at all. So one big bite is probably not induced by another cat? Is that the conclusion? We will watch him for fever, etc. although I don't know how to take his temp. I know he doesn't feel well though. We have cleaned the wound like we did last time. The last one never got infected ---we kept it very clean and the cat inside for a few days. He doesn't like being cooped up though! Thanks all.

 

[debm]

So do you think it is necessary that I call the vet to get a rabies booster? His last shot was last June I believe.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So one big bite is probably not induced by another cat? Is that the conclusion?

No it is probably a cat. Could be the one you own or another cat in the area.

And no you do not need another booster.

Puncture wounds are very hard to see. You need to use a wet washcloth to find them.

 

[lisadr]

Just my 2 cents and a heads up-Coyotes love cats. You kitty might have had a near death experience with one. I think that's how I lost 2 outside cats that had adopted our house. My neighbor had her small dog attacked while he was on the lead in her back yard.

 

[debm]

I think there are coyotes around but wouldn't they have gotten him pretty good? I mean, it just seems so strange that both times he has only had 1 bite---to the face.