I survived the pit bull but the small white cat took me down...

[paintnolish]

My cat was always slightly evil, but he didn't normally attack family members. One day, my son stepped over him- he jumped up and bit my son in the back. Now, he was always slightly evil (cat, not son!) so I was mad but it wasn't toally out of his character. However, the next day, he sort of fell over and peed on the floor. His kidneys were failing. $400 later, he died at the vet's. He was 11. So...check it out.
On a lighter note, we have a Blue Merle Sheltie and he looks like your collie! Cute!

 

[HeatherH]

You ABSOLUTELY must get to an ER or urgent care and get proper care NOW! And definitely the tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past 10 years. Sharing an antibiotic is NOT the answer here. PLEASE listen to everyone who has urged you to do this.

As for the cat, that is definitely a HUGE sign that there IS something physically wrong with the cat. I know your area is just paralyzed with the snow but I can guarantee you there IS a vet or vet hospital that is OPEN and can evaluate your cat. Hopefully someone is checking messages at your vet's office and can even refer you to a place that is open.

Good luck. I've had many, many cats over the years and they have never attacked unprovoked. Something is definitely wrong.

 

[debbi801]

If you're in Westminster, I'd hit the c.c. general ER, or I know the Patient First in owings mills is open, if there aren't any ungent care places up there.

I know my vet's open for business right now (we're in Reisterstown). PM me if you want their info. They have a 24 hour emergency room.

 

[JessicaR]

Waiting till next week to see a doctor is a bad idea. Lots of helpful posts on where you can be seen. Sharing antibiotics is also not a good idea for so many reasons.

I hope you are OK. Sorry your cat hurt you.

 

[alliecats]

In 2005 my cat attacked me pretty viciously 3 times, each worse than the last. She had never clawed or scratched me before, ever (she was 7). Turns out she had a terrible case of pancreatitis and was in horrible pain. How I can tell when it is flaring now is if she bites or tries to.

However, she has never again done anything like the level of what she did that year. When a cat is in pain they are more likely to act like a wild animal. Also, as others have said, they will hide pain and other problems and not show the symptoms you would expect, until they just can't anymore.

I hope your bites are ok and don't get too badly infected. I know from experience how agonizing a cat bite can be. Our outside cat was attacked viciously by a stray 3 weeks ago. He had to have 3 different antibiotics and 3 or 4 pain shots, not to mention an abscess drained. Cat bites are nothing to mess around with.

 

[frndshpcptn]

My cat was always slightly evil, but he didn't normally attack family members. One day, my son stepped over him- he jumped up and bit my son in the back. Now, he was always slightly evil (cat, not son!) so I was mad but it wasn't toally out of his character. However, the next day, he sort of fell over and peed on the floor. His kidneys were failing. $400 later, he died at the vet's. He was 11.

This is exactly almost what happened with my cat (except she was around 16). Please get to a doctor / vet as soon as possible.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

In the meantime, I'm sharing DD20's amoxicillian and hoping it'll help until I can get into the doctor's office.

The only thing that *sharing* someone else's perscription of antibiotics will accomplish is guarantee that *neither* of you get a full dose!

Probably not enough to kill off an on-going infection, but good enough to encourage the growth of a resistant strain!!

 

[alliecats]

double post sorry

 

[Dancemom03]

I'm not too far from Westminster. A friend just came down with his plow and freed up a pathway to my driveway so we're going to try to get out in DH's truck with 4WD. Friend says the roads leading from here to the main roads are one lane and still covered really bad but we should be able to get out now in the truck. DH is still recovering from surgery so it was a blessing to see our friend pull up with his plow to help us get dug out.

I've just talked to three local doctors and none can see me before Monday so we'll be checking out the Urgent Care in just a little bit. I hate to waste time/money on doctors for me but can't afford to put something off that might lead to a more costly illness/infection either.

DSDad was in CCH's ER all of Monday. It was agonizingly busy. I felt so bad for the folks on duty trying to get everyone taken care of after the first round of snow. I'd have to be dying to wait to be seen there just imagining how busy they'll be tonight/tomorrow with most of the doctors' offices in the area still closed.

 

[krcit]

Yikes. I hope you can get into the Dr asap. Keep us posted.

 

[klacey1]

So sorry, OP. I have to agree with the other posters, though-- something is probably VERY wrong with your cat. Given his advanced age, it's got to be a health problem. I'm also POSITIVE your DD was making up what she said. No animal freaks out once and then goes back to normal for the rest of its life-- especially if it wasn't provoked.
Please update when you get an answer-- I hope you are okay!

 

[Abbie]

OP, on the off chance you haven't left yet, here's the address for the urgent care:

UNI Urgent Care Center
uniurgentcare.com
826 Washington Road
Westminster, MD 21157-5779
(410) 751-7480

It's near the Ag Center and hospital. Both of my DD's have used it in the past year when the dr's office was closed and they were impressed at how efficient and well-run it was. And they were in and out VERY quickly, so a much better alternative to the hospital at this point. Your insurance should cover the bulk of the visit too, at least ours did. If you need a referral to visit a specialist just call your regular dr. on Monday and have them backdate it to today and fax to the urgent care. Good luck!

 

[torinsmom]

One of my cats freaks out regularly if I step over her, but she only hisses and will try to scratch my leg. I am pretty sure she is just worried I will step on her. Cats CAN freak out, but usually there is a reason(like a dog suddenly appears behind her and she is trying to get away) and it doesn't sound like there was in this case. The cat needs to be checked out ASAP and hopefully you are already at a doctor.

Marsha

 

[agnes!]

Maybe the cat was tired of snow days...

agnes!

 

[Dancemom03]

Maybe the cat was tired of snow days...

agnes!

Well I sure am!

Just wanted to update... Had it looked at last night and doctor started me on augmentin. Wow, that's a pricey little pill without prescription coverage. Could be much worse of course, but I've gotten spoiled by walmart's cheapo drugs and only realized at checkout that I should have had it filled at Giant where they give free antibiotics. Oh well, it's not like we use antibiotics a lot to remember the ads...

Anyway, the right leg isn't too bad. The scratches are all healing nicely. It's the bites/punctures that are painful. CSI wouldn't have any trouble linking the punctures to his jaw, the spacing looks really obvious now.
My left leg was punctured nicely and must have torn when DH yanked him off b/c it's much worse. Doctor said it'll improve with time & meds but to keep a close eye on it and let him know immediately if it gets worse. I hadn't realized it had swollen more until last night. Very thankful for the Epsom Salts suggestion too! After soaking in a hot tub for nearly an hour it felt much better. Can't wait to do that again today.

As for the cat... much as I try to remember stepping on him or startling him in some way, it just couldn't have happened. DH was standing there and agrees it was just totally unexpected. DD is away this weekend - and said Bush was at their hotel yesterday too, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't there for the anime.
When she comes home, her first job will be take her feline teddy bear into the vet. He doesn't appear to be in pain and is acting normally. I don't hold any ill will but am giving him a wide berth for a little while just in case. Since she thinks this is normal, she can talk to the vet and pay for it. I sure hope she doesn't spend all her money this weekend...

 

[MushyMushy]

I was attacked by a cat as a child -- it was ferocious. My dad rushed me to the hospital. I'm still not completely fond or trustful of cats.

Anyway, I'm glad you made it to the doctor and are on your way with an antibiotic.

 

[Maleficient]

So glad to hear that you were seen and are on the mend! Augmentin a really good choice - might want to have a yogurt everyday, or take some acidophilus with that one.... Good luck with the vet!

 

[torinsmom]

Did your DD ever get the cat to the vet? Just wondering if you found out what was wrong with it....

 

[Dancemom03]

Did your DD ever get the cat to the vet? Just wondering if you found out what was wrong with it....

The blood work looked good, no indications of any problems. The vet was puzzled by his behavior too. The only thing we can figure out is that something must have frightened him. He probably sleeps 23 out of 24 hrs these days and, whatever his inner demon was, it seems to have passed without further incident. Even though neither DH or I think so, I still have to wonder if maybe I stepped on his tail or something without realizing it...

My legs are still tender, but healing. Thank heavens I'm older now b/c I'm pretty sure this is gonna leave scars.

 

[agnes!]

Glad you're doing well, that is good news .

I guess this is your DD's cat & you-all are keeping it? If I were in your shoes, I think I would never again trust that cat. I would not allow children to play with it or get up next to it, especially their faces.

I would tell everyone who comes to the house and, frankly, might even show them my scars for extra emphasis.

agnes!