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

[DiamondFox]

Hello again.  So pleased to hear of Gingers progress. He was a real 'gem' when visiting the Vet from what you said.  Imagine having a bit of your nose removed for testing.....I wonder how many humans would like that !!!!  I think he's a very brave boy!!  I'm hoping and praying with all my heart that its just a fungal infection and can be easily brought under control.  I know you'll keep us all posted with the results. One thing is for sure, he's in good hands between yourself and the Vet.  I can't believe how kind and caring you are towards him when you are, as Jade said, allergic.  You're a TRUE cat-lover with a heart of gold my friend.  You and Ginger are in my heart and my Prayers.......Diamondfox

[PrettyKitty1]

I'm with DiamondFox and Jade. I'm joining them in the hopes that it isn't cancer but a fungal infection. Please let us know how that goes. I will be praying for little Ginger. So happy he is amused with his tuna.

I wish more people were just like you, Suzie. You are such a kind lady. I hope your allergies aren't so bad. Take good care of yourself. And God bless you.

PK

[aligator79]

I'm soo hoping it's a fungal infection.  My Tuxedo kitty Taz had Histoplasmosis (a fungal infection in the spleen).  I treated it with an antifungal liquid medication twice a day for 9 months.  Poor guy was only 4 months old or so when he was diagnosed.  All I had to do was call him "Taz- come here- It's time for your medicine" and the goofball would come and lay down in front of me with the look of "aww mom- do I have to?".  We didn't know if he would pull through, but I had to try.  The credit card company loved me, because it wasn't cheap.  :)  I did discover that on prescriptions like that, if a regular pharmacy can order it for you, it's usually cheaper.  The Vet school here would have been about $200 a month and the pharmacy was about $120.  They quoted me wrong by $20, but had to make good on it.  :)  

Tell Ginger we're pulling for her.

[SuzCat]

It's treatable! The vet just called me with the resutls and said it's Aspergillosis - a fungal infection that is contracted from spores in the environment, which is more usual in dogs. It's rare in cats, but if the animal has a lowered immune system, it's open to these kind of things.

I will need to spike his food with an anti-fungal drug, fluconazole (I think I took that for thrush under the trade name Diflucan), for a few months. There's only a 70% chance of it being cured, but we'll do what we can for him.

Phew!

[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!

[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.