Mrs

[Lapinou]

Our kitten is 4.5m old now, and completely vaccinated. We've been letting her out since her last jabs, and she's been loving it. Spending most of the day outside wearing herself out and coming in just to eat and sleep.

 

Yesterday one of the children noticed that one of her paws has a raw area just before the big pad. She's not limping or anything, but she is worrying at it a bit. DH has bathed it in salt water last night and this morning to try to keep it clean, but I'm wondering what to do next - should we bandage it or something to stop her licking it and making it worse?

 

Secondly, I've noticed her be very sleepy when she's in the house since she's been going out, but I'd assumed that was because she was burning up so much energy exploring and climbing trees etc. She's started leaving the back garden, but is finding her way home brilliantly - we have no catflap, but she scratched at the front door yesterday, having been let out of the back door!

 

However, last night I noticed that she looked a bit dopey. One of her eyes looked like it would prefer to be closed, although it was able to open fully, and it seems a bit better this morning. It's more that when she is sleepy, the right eye closes first, IYSWIM. Doesn't seem red or anything.

 

But the main thing is the dopiness. Although she is playing if one of the children grabs one of her toys and bounces it around, but not as boistrously as usual.

 

We've not let her out this morning. I'm wondering if she's fallen out of a tree and knocked her head or something, grazing her paw in the process. I'll take her to the vet on Monday if she's not better by then...and sooner if she deteriorates. But, in the meantime, any thoughts? It's our first house pet, so I'm a bit of a novice!

[scarlettohara]

Scuffed paws can be a sign that a cat has been hit by a car - they skid along the road. I would definately keep her in and try to see a vet today

[Lapinou]

OMG, really!? Just one paw...and no other injuries?

[scarlettohara]

It sounds as if she has had an injury to her head if she is closing one eye and is sleepy - I would get her checked out asap to be on the safe side

[mags]

hi

 

Is she eating and drinking alright ? if they are not eating and drinking i think somthing is wrong

a vist to the vet would be a good idea for check up your kitten out

 

 

no cat will keep a bandage on , keep an eye on the paw , puffyness ,pus and inflation should be looked at by

vet

hope she is her old self soon

 

mags

[coco]

I'd take her to a vet asap one of my cats was hit by a car and the only visible injury was a scuffed back paw and feeling very sorry for himself. He was fine after a few days and a bit of TLC.

[Lapinou]

Well I couldn't take her this morning because of children's dance lessons, but since I got back (my mum babysat her), she's been improving slowly, but surely - playing when the children bounce a toy near her, rushing to get out the door when it opens (although we're keeping her in today). Will give her lots of TLC and, as soon as we notice any deterioration, get her to the vets. As it is, she's eating and drinking normally, walking normally, not mewing in pain if we touch her anywhere - she's just 'not herself' - slightly subdued. I reckon she's had a nasty shock. I think she's got out of the garden (which has a brick wall around the back) and tried to get back in by jumping up and scrabbling, hurting her paw in the process, and falling awkwardly when she's not succeeded; then had a go at trying to get round to the front of the house and managed it.

 

Fingers crosssed!

[Chucky Mama]

Have a look at her nails. If she has been hit by a car they are usually left shredded. If the graze is superficial continue to bathe it in the salt water (1 teaspoon to a pint). Examine it carefully to make sure that there is no puncture wound there and that there is no chance that it is a bite wound. If it is it could get infected and an abcess could form. Saline bathing will help but she may also need antibiotics. Re the eye closing. Is she closing it as if she is sleepy or is it red and sore? It is possible that whatever traumatic incident caused the graze has left her shocked and sleepy. If she is eating and drinking and her gums are a healthy pink (press her gum until it is white and then if it quickly returns to pink, her circulation is good) then keep a close eye on things. Don't let her out until she is 100% so put a litter tray down and keep her in. Whatever happens if you are concerned over the weekend take action during the day rather than late at night.

[beach chick]

what everyone else said, and without worrying you, if she has been hit by a car, she could have internal injuries. from what you've said though, it sounds as if she could have just given herself a fright, or possibly banged her head on something. hope she's ok, as long as she's eating and drinking those are good signs.

[Lapinou]

Well she was a different kitten yesterday afternoon! Improving very quickly now - I think she had a horrible fright actually. I think a chicken really upset her as, when she rushed out yesterday pm, she ran off very fast when one went near her, and was fairly jumpy if the children moved quickly near her too. She is getting confident again, though, and her eye's improving, and she's eating and drinking and using her litter tray like normal. Thanks for the help.