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152660 tn?1291755571

When it rains, it pours

although a little snow would be VERY welcome.

Anyway- I got home and was petting Taz- my 3rd, and he had a hunk of dirt on his face.  He loves to roll in the dirt so I figured he found some mud and it had dried- I was flaking it off gently to not pull half his face off- it comes off in my hand- YEP- it was an abcess about 3/4 in long.  UGH  Then I look and on the other side he has one on his bottom lip that goes from inside to outside.  This one is about 1/8 in cut in the lip.  

Now for the dilemma- I usually just treat them myself- make sure it stays drained, pour a little peroxide on it, etc.  then just keep an eye on them and make sure they are ok- not getting sick overall.  I stopped taking them to the vet each time because it was getting to be every other month or so and getting harder to get the pills down them.  :)

I'm inclined to take him in for these because he won't be able to keep his face as clean as the rest of his body.  I know the lip he will keep clean, but just not sure of his face.

What do you guys think?  
20 Responses
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874521 tn?1424116797
I'm not all that sure what he's dealing with. histoplamosis is a fungal infection. I am sending this link to more info about EGC which is an allergic reaction that shows up on the skin.(with photos)   this particular link advises treatment with interferon...but I would suggest to you to try changing kitty's food as it could all be an allergic reaction to what he's eating....? just throwing out some possibilities your way to read on...)

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/interferon_alpha.html
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
Opus-  I think that Taz could have a weaker immune system and/or just doesn't bathe himself as well as he should.  He needs to lose a couple of pounds and his abcesses are usually in places he has trouble reaching- mainly on his back. He is built like a bowling ball with legs- short legs.  He was so sick from 3 to 12 months old.  The vets didn't even check him for Histoplasmosis because he was so little, it was rare and they didn't think he could survived it so far it because he should have been able to fight it off if his immune system was normal.  It was after $700 of tests that wouldn't have been done first if he was older.  It was the last ditch effort to figure out what was up.  Now that you make me think about it, they did say that his immune system had to be low because he shouldn't have been able to get it if he was normal.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
whats causing the abscesses hon?...the loose poop is no doubt from the antibiotics ♥
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
Oh Yeah- Forgot-  I'm getting ready for bed and find little paw prints on my sheet.  They were dry, smelled like kitty poo, but there was nothing on the floor or comforter Ollie was laying one or Lucy's favorite spot by the window.  And too perfectly paw sized to be upset tummy.  UGH  They are the only sheets I have for that bed so far because it is thicker than the thick beds they have now and I washed them this weekend.  HAHA
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
ZQ- My parents were wrong about the shots.  Apparently I missed their shots last summer so they said they could do it while he was there.  Either they forgot to do it or my parents heard something different- they usually don't repeat exactly what was said.  It's like playing telephone with them.  

SO, all they did was to flush the abcesses and give me antibiotics.  Now all I need to do is get appointments for their shots.  UGH  I'm going to have to put together a list and prices for what they need done.  :)
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
What? $62???? You must have missed a third digit LOL.

Oh I'm glad little Taz was seen and the vet was able to do something about it. How is kitty doing now?
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587315 tn?1333552783
I'm glad your kitty is home!!

But, they really should've waited until his infection is cleared up before giving him the rabies shot!!!  Your vet should've known better than that.  That vaccine on top of an infection stresses the immune system too much.  Why did your vet do that w/out asking you guys first?
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
He's home- He was there about an hour and a half.  My mother took him up for me and dad picked him up since he was home when they called.  :)   The vet cleaned them out and sent home some antibiotics.  She also gave him his rabies booster.  It took me a minute to figure out why they gave him the rabies shot.  We have a raccoon in the neighborhood that tries to come in and have dinner at night so we lock them in.  It was $62.00- Not bad at all especially with the shot.  
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
Not yet- They didn't have any appts so they were going to take a look at him between appts when they could- poor guy has to wait his turn.  It kind of surprised me that they don't hold an appt or two for same day appts like dr offices do. I wonder how many they get that they have to slip in because they are not "emergencies" but it may not be a good idea to wait for the next opening in 3 days.
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Aligator...any news from the vet's office about Taz?
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152660 tn?1291755571
I think Taz has a weak immune system overall, but he doesn't usually get sick just the abcesses every couple of months.  He had Histoplasmosis when he was 3 months old which is VERY rare in cats that young.  I got to treat him with liquid meds twice a day for 9 months.  I think that is what made him so laid back- he would let them do an ultrasound of his tummy without putting him under- the fact that he loves to sleep on his back may have had an effect on that.  :)  Now that I think of it, they are usually where he can't reach to groom, although these new ones are really odd.  Hmm- not really sure
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From you initially posted, I gather that this is a chronic and recurring issue?  Have you talked to you vet about what might be causing them and if there is anything systemic that might work as a preventative?  Also, I think the cat not "cleaning" them would be a good thing.  Anytime any of my cats have a bo bo, I try to keep them from licking it to prevent infection from all of the bacteria that is inherent in cat saliva.
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
I called the vet and am going to drop him off this morning.  Since he has already had his breakfast, they can't sedate him yet.  I don't think they will have to for the exam to see if it's really nasty or just minor (as if any are minor).  He is very laid back and will growl and hiss but won't use his claws.  We'll see what they say.
Helpful - 0
88793 tn?1290227177
When I accidently cut Pika's skin (When I cut his hair mat).  I took him to the vet.  The vet said Pika has kidney failure so he can't put him on anesthetic.  Pika might not wake up again.  If he lucky wake up, his body will deteriorate.  He used antibiotic (2 shots in once), one is antibiotic and another one is antiseptic?   Then orally antibiotic twice a day until the filled syringe empty.  After 3 days, I took him back for a review.  The wound healed pretty nice but I asked the vet to give him one more shot.  I feel very guilty.  I'm not sure he gave the antibiotic which as Zodiacqueen mentions can last for 14 days or not.  I'll definately ask for that next time if they need one.

I found the pills pocket on Amazon.  I'll check Greenies website and ask them about the quarantine control when export.

Thank you all of you.
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
They have a relatively new antibiotic that's given as a shot now!!  It came out last year and it lasts for 14 days.  It's called Convenia.  It's awesome for our pill haters!!  LOL  My Skunkie has had this twice and she did very well on the shot.....no tummy upsets!!  =)

Be sure to ask your vet about this the next time your babies need antibiotics.
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Pika,

I'm not sure if the pill pockets are only sold here in the States. But like Aligator said you can always buy them online. It is worth it I tell ya. Yes I am in the US and I go to my local pet shop to get them. They are not expensive, Pika.  I believe Amazon also sells them. Go to their website www.Greenies.com and see if they ship to your country.

Let me know if you have any more questions :-)
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
Pika-  Just a thought- Go through ebay.  That might be easier for you to do than trying to get them through customs.  
Helpful - 0
88793 tn?1290227177
I'm wondering the pill pockets only sell in US?  At here, Melbourne didn't see anything like this.  I try to google and search on ebay Australia, didn't turn up any.  My daughter is going to Texas next month.  I can ask her to bring some back to Australia for my Pika.  

Pretty Kitty, are you in US?  Where do you buy those pill pockets?  If you don't mind, how much it costs?  Do you know Australia allow them to import or not?

Thanks.
Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
I uploaded some pictures.  Poor guy   I have some pill pockets- I don't remember who- Oh it was taz after his dental and 5 pulled teeth, refused to eat them.  typical  I will have to get another flavor.  :)   What we do for our babies.  
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Hi Ali,

I think you should go with your instincts and take pretty Taz to the vet. If they prescribe pills you can always hide them inside pill pockets which come in a variety of flavors. I'm thinking you already know about pill pockets. Have you tried them before? Let me tell you something. If there is one cat on this planet who hates....HATES taking pills..that would be Abby. He chokes...stops breathing, pukes, makes ew faces, growls and stops 'talking' to me for a day. The day I found the pill pockets I felt lucky! Abby never knew from that day on he was being treated. He thought he was being pampered and spoiled :-)

Helpful - 0
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