Dallas' first cat fight, What should I do?

[DMickey28]

My three year old kitty was out all night last night and around 5am got into a nasty cat fight. We got him inside and he's ok but for a nasty cut on his left rear paw. He is limping and it was bleeding. He let me clean it for him and he's sleeping now. Poor guy, he keeps shifting his weight, I think laying on it is uncomfortable for him. I have the upstairs blocked off from the dog so that Dallas can get to his litter box without the dog chasing him.

Should I do anything else for him? I am sure he's fine, I just feel so bad!!

 

[eclectics]

If he's shifting his weight, it can't hurt for a Vet to check him out and take an X Ray. It could be worse than you think. The cat he had a fight with might have tangled with God knows what in the past. Are his rabies etc. up to date? I would have him checked out asap just to be on the safe side.

 

[DMickey28]

Maybe I'll have DH take him in to have him checked out tomorrow. I *think* he's up to date with his shots....

 

[eclectics]

Maybe I'll have DH take him in to have him checked out tomorrow. I *think* he's up to date with his shots....

You'll be doing your kitty a favor. It never hurts to be safe. Cats try to hide their injuries by instinct. Whatever discomfort he is showing you, you can bet it's a bit more than what he is letting on. If he can put some weight on his leg it probably isn't broken, but I'm not a Vet so it's best to make sure. Hope he feels better soon!

 

[escape]

Do take Dallas to a vet. You never know, he could very easily have a bite in another location. You don't want infection setting in.

Good luck!

 

[Pop Daddy]

hope your kitty is doing well, you know the title of this thread got me excited

 

[Imzadi]

It's not just rabies you need to worry about. Feline lukemia & other contageous feline deseases are spread through saliva. It's best to make sure kitty is up-to-date on all shots.

It also probably woudn't hurt to say to Kitty how if you saw the other cat, you'd know the other cat is much worse.

 

[LisaS]

At some point you might want to have your kitty tested for FIV. It's transmitted via cat bites so if he tangled with an infected cat, he could become FIV positive as well. It's becoming all too common, especially in unneutered, free roaming males because they are more likely to get into fights with other cats. It's important to know if your kitty is FIV positive because you would want to isolate him from any other cats in the house so that he doesn't pass it on to another cat. You would also want to keep a closer eye on him since infections that healthy cats can fight off can be fatal to an FIV positive kitty.

 

[Hannathy]

I would take him Cats are known to loose teeth or claws in a wound and that could lead to a deadly infection. I hope you don't have any other cats because the chance of this cat having caught FIL after a fight with another outside cat is extremely high. I hope Dallas is neutered or else he probably just made many new stray kittens because that is why males are usually fighting.

Now flame me if you want but I think it is a crime when people let their cats out roaming. If he isn't neutered he is increasing the stray population and killing how many songbirds just for the fun of it because I assume you feed him. In my own case I can not leave my windows open at night because some inconsiderate person in my neighborhood lets their cat out to roam and it drives my inside cat crazy that a cat is outside his window and I am afraid he will push out the screen. An outside cat has a very low life expectancy and one filled with injuries,disease, and the chance of someone abusing him. please keep him in, I hope last night was just him getting out accidently.

 

[Planogirl]

My 14 year old cat goes out in the evenings but he sticks to the flowerbeds. He also catches mice which we get a lot of lately due to development nearby.

You might want to have him checked out by your vet like others have suggested. Cats do hide injuries and they also tend to keep to themselves and sleep a lot if they're hurt.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

As a veteran cat owner of old, you always have to take them in. There are probably hidden puncture wounds you cannot see. They glaze over pretty fast and you will know this because the cat will be sick or have a fever, usually both.
They hide it well until they are VERY sick. They get septic pretty darn quick.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Our vet has always told us that with cats if you can tell at all that something is wrong then they are REALLY sick or hurt. Eclectics is exactly right. You say you aren't certain about the shots being up to date, be sure to get that done but even if they are you don't know about the other animal.
I hate to even hint about what people should do with their animals but stories like this are why outdoor cats are just not a good idea. Your cat doesn't "need" to go outside and if you like for them to go out then you can teach them to walk on a leash or even put them out on a run where you can supervise. It's never a good idea to just let your cat run around as it pleases. I hope your cat is feeling better soon. I really hope you decide to take him to the vet.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks for the replies. DH is going to take him in tomorrow just to be sure. He seems like his usual self now though!

Just for the record. DH and I love the two kitties and our dog like they are our first born kids (we don't have children yet). We are responsible pet owners and considerate of our neighbors too!! Dallas, and his sister, Chatham are indoor cats. Both are fixed and have been to the vet within the last year and half. They sneak outside occassionally but don't stay out all night, except on the rare occassion we can't get Dallas in, like last night. Chatham usually walks out the door, freaks out and runs back inside! In my neighborhood, a kitty outside is usually nothing compared to the two BIG neighborhood dogs that are outside (fenced in) barking at all hours of the night.

DH saw the other kitty and it's our neighbor's BIG indoor kitty. I have spoken with him and he said his cat is fine and up to date on his shots. I let him know that I honestly wasn't sure if Dallas was completely up to date but that he has been to the vet within the last 18 months. He will take his kitty to be checked too.

So again Thanks for the advice.

 

[minnie56]

Keep your kitty's indoors?

 

[LisaS]

Just checking in to see how your kitty is doing. I hope the vet has been able to make him more comfortable.