Kitty boo-boo

February 20, 2019 1:10 PM

ashy kitty has a cut on her nose. It doesn't look bad but hasn't healed. Vet or not? Toll paid inside.

Spotted is an indoor cat. There is no change in her behavior at all. She doesn't seem to notice or mind the cut. It is not seeping, nor is it swollen, but it seems clearly to be open skin. I've tried a dab of neosporin, but no change. It's been a few weeks, with no increase or decrease in size. Is this vet-worthy? (I lean towards no, but.)

posted by ashy_sock to Pets & Animals (9 answers total)

if she doesn't notice it or mind it, and it's not weeping or looking infected, she's probably okay, and i wouldn't go to the vet. if it's causing her any kind of pain or distress or it starts to look red or starts leaking fluid, then head in.

excellent cat tax.
posted by koroshiya at 1:14 PM on February 20, 2019 [13 favorites]

My cat used to get scuffed up all the time, and those nose scratches would scar up and the fur wouldn't regrow for a while. I can't tell from the pic if the wound is actually open, but if it's just pink and not visibly gaping then I'd assume it's fine, just bald.
posted by restless_nomad at 1:28 PM on February 20, 2019 [4 favorites]

You mean the little cut on the bridge of her nose? I wouldn't rush one of my cats to the vet based on that. I might, since it's been a while, email my vet that picture and see if they find it concerning. My guess is "no," but I am not a vet. I am a "play it safe" person, though - if I thought it was serious I'd be jumping up and down about getting the kitty to the vet, stat.

She does have a serious case of adorable, though.

(I don't know if all vets will give opinions by email. I happen to be lucky and have a great vet that does house calls and she answers my questions about the cats' diabetes and one of my other cats feline herpes that presents as really, really runny / inflamed eyes - but only very briefly, but somewhat alarmingly.)
posted by jzb at 1:50 PM on February 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

Do you have other cats? It looks like what happens occasionally when my clawed heathens get into a slap fight. Basically, a claw gouges a furrow in the nose skin. As long as you aren't seeing seepage, redness or swelling (what everyone already said!) She'll be fine. It may stay bare for a long time, but will eventually grow hair again. She's a pretty girl!
posted by LaBellaStella at 1:51 PM on February 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Nope, no other kitties, she would not allow it.
posted by ashy_sock at 1:58 PM on February 20, 2019

I had a cat who got a cut like that and it did indeed stay that way for a long while. It got less pink over time and eventually the fur grew back in, though not quite as dense as the rest of the face. I wouldn't go to the vet for it.
posted by teremala at 2:18 PM on February 20, 2019

I'd get it looked at, only because I've lost 2 cats to cancer in the past year and I'm paranoid now that ANYTHING that doesn't heal quickly could be a sign of something horrible. But the rule of thumb is - are YOU comfortable just letting it be, or is it going to keep you up at night? The vet isn't going to laugh at you for asking about this; ideally you'll end up paying a bit for some extra peace of mind, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!
posted by aecorwin at 2:24 PM on February 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

My vet has said that for something like this, I should just email a picture as a first step. Maybe your vet would be willing to do the same? Not so much to get a definitive diagnosis, but a more informed opinion as to whether this is a wait and see or bring her in.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:18 PM on February 20, 2019

She's so pretty! I wouldn't take her to the vet yet -- just keep an eye on it, and if it gets red or weepy, take her in.
posted by sarcasticah at 9:43 AM on February 23, 2019