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

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
28 Responses
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691935 tn?1421027090
Been following this story and are so glad there are people like you out there.  How the progress since last week?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He hasn't lost his sense of smell..... the desire for fish or chicken is worth eating the medicine.

I have had to 'hide' medicine for my cats also.... but eventually they became to smart!  So now I give them their meds by mouth...  

As stated before, you might want to have your vet show you how to give the medicine by mouth.  Once they get onto you they will eat around the medicine, even crushed...and spit out the meds.

Soooooooo  happy it is not Cancer!  You beloved will be just fine!
Helpful - 0
681148 tn?1437661591
I'm just getting to this thread.  Oh, I'm so glad it's not cancer!  He sounds like a wonderful little stray.  He obviously likes you, too.  That's a cute imagery of a ginger cat in comfortable temperatures pressing his face against the kitchen window.  That's still wonderful that he'll eat the crushed up medicine in the food you've given him.  I've been giving mine antihistamine tablets at the recommended dose the vet told me.  She really doesn't like it, but she knows I'm only trying to help her.  I was picturing trying to cram a pill down a stray cat's throat.  You can imagine quite well what that would be like.  It sounds hopeful that the treatment for the poor little kitty will work for him.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been tricking him successfully! I think that this growth on Ginger's nose has damaged his sense of smell because, unlike any other cat I've known, he'll eat a crushed up tablet hidden in ground fish.

Still looking awful, but loving the fish! He's pestering me for more right now! Face pressed against the window. Don't feel sorry for him - here in Cyprus it's sunny and 22 C!
Helpful - 0
1149072 tn?1269769247
Oh just the BEST news I've heard in a long long time!!  I'm soooo glad its treatable - I know giving medication to a cat is sometimes like nailed jelly(jello) to the wall, but it CAN be done - its just finding the knack!!  I've always felt giving a tablet is better than mixing it with the food because quite often they can just walk away from a bowl of food - for no apparent reason (none apparent to us of course!!), and then the medication would be a missed dose.  I think the odds are very good - its a 7 in 10 chance, after all.  I also think that when Vets give us these statistics they always err on the side of caution - they can't say 90% because thats a highly optomistic figure which Vets tend not to use. I expect thats because our little furry friends cannot talk and cannot tell us if there are any side-effects or how they are feeling.  I'm so happy for you (and Ginger!!) - its really brightened my day - bless you both!!!  DiamondFox
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Suzie,,,,

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. He'll be fine! You'll see :)
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
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!!
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
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 :)
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
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!
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
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 :)
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
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.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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!

Helpful - 0
152660 tn?1291755571
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.
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
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
Helpful - 0
1149072 tn?1269769247
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
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Of course, I will be hoping it's just a fungal infection.  I do know from experience, those can be tricky to treat, but very doable...just takes diligence with the medication and it sounds like you up for the job :)  

What a sweet and compassionate person you are to take on this poor kitty even though you are allergic.  

I will look forward to your update and pray it's not cancer.    

  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey guys,

I lured him into a catbox, drove him to the vet - which, of course, he HATED! - and between us we managed to subdue him enough for the vet to take a little sample of his nose tissue for testing.

She's thinking it's either cancer or a fungal infection. I should hear back in a few days. I'll let you know how poor little Ginger's doing. Right now, he's sitting on my kitchen window-sill eating tuna and looking mighty happy, despite his ordeal.

Thanks for all your love and kindness - you're all so lovely!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please keep us all updated on his care and recovery, I hope I am speaking for all of us when I say we are keeping both YOU and HIM in our thoughts and hearts....  and as the others have said, GOOD for you for being such a great person!!!
Helpful - 0
1149072 tn?1269769247
Bless you - you are so so kind !!!  As Opus says, please DO let us know how you both get on.  :- )
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Awesome! Please let us know what the vet said. Yo are such a kind lady :)

God bless you!
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
GOOD FOR YOU GIRL!!!
Let us know how you make out ok!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Kaydey and PrettyKitty.
Frost-bite - no chance! I live in Cyprus and it hasn't been colder than 15 C this "winter"!

But here, cats are regarded as vermin and are put to sleep as a first option. No-one is interested in saving them, unless for profit. People intentionally poison them to curb their proliferation, rather than bother neutering. It's horrific. I'm English, so my mentality is totally the opposite - we love our pets more than our kids.

I've decided that I can't stand by and watch him suffer, no matter what the expense or how many scratches I get. I'm going to put a thick jacket on and some gloves and lure him into a cat box and off to the vet. An animal-lover's gotta do what an animal-lover's gotta do!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just have to ask... do you live in a colder environment where his nose might have been 'frost bitten?"  

I agree with what everyone has stated.  There is nothing you can really do unless he is seen by a vet.

Most towns/cities have clinics where you can take him, and since he is a stray they will take him in and do what is necessary for this infection/scab.  

The local Humane Societies are generally very good at taking in sick animals because most of the medical staff is either free of charge (as it is here, but you have to sign over the animal) or they are paid by donations (but you still have to sign over the animal).

Since you are allergic to cats, this might be the best option for you.

Btw... Bless you for taking in this suffering cat. Cats are wonderous in their memory of a person who gives them love and a safe place!
Helpful - 0
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