Cat's nose bleeding adn rotting away - awful, help!

[SuzCat]

I've been feeding a stray cat for a few weeks, and the poor creature has got a really gross problem with his nose. I thought he'd been in a fight and got his nose chewed, because instead of having a nice pink triangle where his nostrils are, he had a big scab.

I thought it would heal by itself, but he keeps scratching the scab off, and it oozes with blood and pus. It smells bad. I'm allergic to cats, but took pity on him when he came begging in my garden. I don't think I can handle getting him in a box to take to a vet. I live in a country where cats are regarded as vermin and there isn't a cat charity to ask for help.

I looked it up on the internet, and I think he might have a fungal growth there that would require an expensive veterinary medication protocol that I can't afford even if I could somehow get him to a vet. Is there anything I could give him to help? Could I mix a human anit-fungal pill into his food?

He's suffering - he seems to think there's an invisible foe attacking his face and he puts his paws up to swipe it away from his nose area and makes such a pitiful sound of anxiety. Would it be kinder to get him euthanised - although I hate that idea. I feed him and pet him until my eyes water and I'm sneezing. He sits on my kitchen windowsill begging for comfort. Oh! I'm crying. Please help me to help him. Any advice would be great,

Thanks,

Suzie

[PrettyKitty1]

Yess!!! This is great news! Suzie I am so happy for you. Look, the others are right in that by mouth is better. But we are talking about a cat that is not used to being handled, which can be dangerous for you.  Unless you have managed to handle him without getting hurt, you can try the following:

There is something called Pill Pockets, sold at pet stores. It's a little pocket where you can put the pill in there, cover the pill with it, and give it to him. Cats love it usually. And there is no stress involved, as the cat thinks its getting treats. You can find it at your local pet supermarket, Petco, Petsmart, online, etc. It's, I would say, 99% guaranteed. I know it works with my cats. It's so comfortable.

Please keep us updated. I will keep praying for little Ginger. And remember, a 70% chance is still a good chance to recover.

Go Ginger!!

[Jade59]

Oh, I must have missed the part where you're putting the pill in food.  The others are right.  If you can give it by mouth, the chances of it working are much better as you do want ALL the medication to get into kitty.  Very important with a fungal infection!

Have your vet show you how to "pill" a cat.  How to hold his head and get his mouth to open although, the vet sure makes it look so darn easy which it isn't always lol...

You may get lucky like we did in the fact that Jade is pretty easy to medicate.  I hope the same for your kitty :)

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, I've been following this story, and am sooooo happy to hear that it's not cancer.  You have a great chance to beat this fungal infection!!  I do share Opus' concerns that kitty might not get all the pill into him if you add it to his food.  Is there any way at all that you can give him the pill by mouth?  That's more of a guarantee that he'll get the entire dose.

Best wishes to you and kitty!

[Jade59]

That's great news it's not cancer and something treatable!   My kitty also had a fungal infection called cryptococaucus (sp) and was given those same odds or close anyway and it was also rare for a cat to get other than one with a lowered immune system which Jade had due to neglect.  Vet never said there was a 100% chance it would be cured, but we gave Jade her pill every day twice a day for 3months, then another month just to be sure and SuzCat, that was 3yrs ago and we were able to get rid of it completely!   We were much luckier than alligator79 in that the medicine was quite cheap and affordable.  I don't remember, but it was a human fungal med and could have been Diflucan.  

I have every hope that your kitty is going to be fine.  Just diligence with the medication is all that's needed :)...and a good diet and all your love so you've already got a good start there :) :)

Best of luck and please give updates :)

[opus88]

Oh thats great news...a 70% chance is no doubt depending on the condition of the immune system.
I sure hope kitty (ginger?) wil eat the food with the anit fungal drug added, cats are so darn picky that way, a dog will gulp down anything but NOT a cat...with mine I believe they'll sniff out a speck of any new addition and refuse to eat!!
can this be given in pill form if she won't eat it?

bless you for helping this poor animal, oh how much better she will feel with this cleared up, can you imagine the discomfort? even with trying to breath.

I know what you mean abt those big trusting eyes...they sure know how to grab our hearts...ah yes the pocket book too!!

good luck dear and keep us posted.

[SuzCat]

Aw, poor little Taz. Did he recover? My pet cat used to do the same. The trust between pet and owner is a wonderful thing. It's exactly the same feeling I get when toddlers and babies respond to me with smiles and giggles, turning to me for help when they're sad, hurt or scared (I'm an early-years teacher). Cherishing that trust is a mainstay of my life, and it's been great to connect here with people who feel the same way.

We're bigger and stronger and have alot of power, but they trust us to care for them, love them, do what's best for them. Kids and pets know just how to trigger our protective instincts. What a great survival tool. Just look at me with those huge trusting eyes, and I'll gladly go into debt to save you!