Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Cautious Cat

The other week the cat came in from outside bearing a nasty wound in her tail. It looked like a deep slicing wound and appeared to go right to the tail bones. This has resulted in many trips to the vet with all kinds of medicines. The one thing that I have learnt from my poor cat's nasty experience is that (according to the vet) the wounds are better when they are wet. Whilst in a moist condition the flesh begins to build up and regrow into its original shape - it cannot do this once a scab has formed and crusted over.

This nasty wound is now on the mend ... you can still see the slight kink in her tail, as pictured above but it has now gone past the wet stage and has begun to form a nice healthy scab. She is however walking around rather gingerly ... still defending her territory ... still looking for mice ... and patrolling the garden like a policeman!

Extra note for information: Savlon have now produced Advanced Healing Gel (for humans). This helps to keep the wound moist and allows the flesh to rebuild and mend itself.

More information: for those who have asked me - the vet believed the wound was caused by another cat's claw that lashed out and caught the tail. Cats tend to sharpen their claws on a daily basis pulling them in a downwards movement on, if available, a 'scratching' post. If a 'scratching' post is not provided then a cat will use anything available from a garden fence, a tree trunk, a piece of furniture ... The cat then pulls the claws downwards and parts of the claw or nail break off - usually either side of the point of the claw. This makes the claw extra sharp like a blade in many instances (this applies to the claws on their front paws only). They then use these sharpened claws for several purposes - it helps the animal climb up fences (they can run up a fence vertically), the sharpness helps them to capture small animals (this, sadly, is in their nature - their instinct - fortunately our cat has a preference for capturing mainly mice, the last one being captured around a year ago), and lastly the claws are there for defence to protect them from other cats, dogs and other creatures that try to interfere with them! I am still uncertain whether, in this instance, the damage was done by another cat. The cut was deep lacerating one side of the tail and at an angle so there are several possibilities from broken glass to barbed wire. I am looking out for any new cats in the neighbourhood ... anyone got any other thoughts on what could have caused the damage?

When not in use a cat will retract their claws and mostly just have their soft pads in use. A fox also has retractable claws.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope she gets better soon. I came home from work today to find Floss limping, I don't know what she's done while I've been out but she was OK before I left.
It's awful when your pet's hurt - they just seem so helpless don't they?

Admin said...

I'm not going to try and take something from that watch-cat

Anonymous said...

Interesting. You wouldn't think something was healing when wet. It seems like it could get infected more then.

I'm glad the kitty is on the mend and going to be fine.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that Kitty is mended. And a good bit of information I didn't know. I have a Kitty too!

Amy Lilley Designs said...

That is one handsome kitty... great, great presence ...awww..so glad he's on the mend!

KylieM said...

its so hard when your cat hurts themselves, i remember when ours got run over by a car, made its way back to the house (no idea how), and then had to spend weeks in a room by himself, on a mattress, and no move. But they do come back, I truly do believe that cats have 9 lives.

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

Your cat is so cute! We have a foster cat that looks very similar. I hope her wound is better. That happened to my cats leg once and he had to go to the vet and be on lots of antibiotics!

njemacreative said...

We used to have a cat in Kenya that looked just like yours! Theo came straggling in after being missing for several days with a big wound in his neck. He healed up well on his own (in our rural area, there was no option of going to a vet), and lived for several more years. Cats are hearty animals. :) Glad to hear your cat's tail is healing well!

Census said...

I'm glad that your cat is recovering...it sounds really nasty. Thanks for the info on the wound about being wet..it will be useful when my little monster comes in wounded...as he eventually will...again!!

capybara said...

What a sleazy faced cat. My cat got run over by a car last year and had to have her tail amputated, she looks quite cute without it though and it doesn't affect her at all. Cats are chancers in life and your cat probably cut its tail on a sharp object whilst climbing or something similar.

Anonymous said...

Ayyy I hope the cat's tail is better now... ayyyy in the picture seems to be sooooo perfect... the colors all beauty!