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-   -   Cat bitten by snake (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=682842)

  • Jul 14, 2012, 09:58 PM
    nancykcason1974
    Cat bitten by snake
    My cat got bitten by a snake while she was nursing kittens! There are 2 big puncture wounds & it is trying to abcess this greenish pus! I know it's a type of bacteria that forms, but what is it called? And, do you think the snake was poisonous? Oh, & her & the kittens have this blistery looking mouths that bled some.
  • Jul 14, 2012, 11:28 PM
    tickle
    I think you should take the whole lot to the vet, it doesn't sound good, and how would we know if the snake was poisonous? How long has this been going on?
  • Jul 14, 2012, 11:51 PM
    nancykcason1974
    Well, she's actually my neighbors cat! But, the same thing happened to this cat's mom when she was nursing her! Is that weird or what! I've worked with vets through the yrs, but I didn't want to bother my friend, who happens to be the greatest vet in the world, this weekend! He is semi-retired & 87 yrs old! When this same thing happened before, I just knew to start her on antibiotics & flush the wound out with chlorhexadine to kill any germs or anything! But, he told me the name of that green bacteria, I just can't remember the name of it, & wanted to do more research on it! The only difference this time, is the raw mouths that her & the kittens got this time! They seem fine! I just can't believe it happened twice & these two cats are alive, & I also wonder what kind of snake could've bitten them, & not kill them! I mean, I know they say cats have 9 lives, but my cat, Levi, that I had for 8 years, died the other day, we think from a snake bite! But, he had no puncture wounds! It's just really weird to me!
  • Jul 15, 2012, 06:24 AM
    LadySam
    With what you are calling "fang marks" my money would actually be on being bitten by another cat, with the punctures that you are seeing being caused by the canine teeth rather than a snake.
    In any case if she is now abscessed and draining pus and the very LEAST she needs antibiotics. The kittens also need antibiotics if their mouths are raw and oozing.
    Is there no one who will take her to the vet?
    Many times these abscesses require debridement and surgery, they don't usually get better on their own.
    The bacteria from abscessed wounds can cause more problems than a few, this cat really needs someone to intervene and take her in for medical care.
    And there is really no way of knowing what organisms are invading the wound without doing a culture. Educated guess yes, but certainty most likely not.
  • Jul 15, 2012, 06:59 AM
    tickle
    Yes, LadySam, and now I come to think about it. My cat Pickle was bitten a couple of years ago by another cat; the bites were quite obvious and visible. Right to the vet because the bites started to superate and she became lethargic and the area very tender. Vet called it 'cat scratch fever' and immediately put her on a series of antibiotics.

    Vet said these cat bites will almost be infected as soon as given because cats don't have same antibodies in their mouths as dogs do.

    So, yes my bet is another cat bite. Shame the kittens have to be infected as well.
  • Jul 15, 2012, 09:43 AM
    LadySam
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tickle View Post
    Yes, LadySam, and now I come to think about it. My cat Pickle was bitten a couple of years ago by another cat; the bites were quite obvious and visible. Right to the vet because the bites started to superate and she became lethargic and the area very tender. Vet called it 'cat scratch fever' and immediately put her on a series of antibiotics.

    Vet said these cat bites will almost be infected as soon as given because cats dont have same antibodies in their mouths as dogs do.

    So, yes my bet is another cat bite. Shame the kittens have to be infected as well.

    My best guess too, so I indeed think this whole crew needs to be seen and evaluated.
    And seen before things get ugly (er)
    Just a few things she they may have to deal with (mama and kittens)
    Uncontrolled fever and lethargy leading to lack of appetite and willingness to drink, if outdoors and given the weather-maggots, tissue necrosis (rotting flesh)
    I don't know if her situation is that dire, but why risk it?
  • Jul 15, 2012, 09:55 AM
    Fr_Chuck
    So wait and not bother your friend and the cats may all be dead by the time you feel like not bothering them. Sorry being responsible for pets means doing something for them.

    OK you don't want to see this vet to to the clinic open on the weekend
  • Jul 19, 2012, 04:12 PM
    nancykcason1974
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by LadySam View Post
    With what you are calling "fang marks" my money would actually be on being bitten by another cat, with the punctures that you are seeing being caused by the canine teeth rather than a snake.
    In any case if she is now abscessed and draining pus and the very LEAST she needs antibiotics. The kittens also need antibiotics if their mouths are raw and oozing.
    Is there no one who will take her to the vet?
    Many times these abscesses require debridement and surgery, they don't usually get better on their own.
    The bacteria from abscessed wounds can cause more problems than a few, this cat really needs someone to intervene and take her in for medical care.
    And there is really no way of knowing what organisms are invading the wound without doing a culture. Educated guess yes, but certainty most likely not.

    Well, the kittens are fine after antibiotics & the mother is healing well! Those weren't the questions I needed answered anyway!
  • Jul 19, 2012, 04:31 PM
    tickle
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by nancykcason1974 View Post
    Well, the kittens are fine after antibiotics & the mother is healing well! Those weren't the questions I needed answered anyway!

    Nancy so glad kittens are doing fine, not often we get feedback; but what do you mean those weren't the questions you needed answers to? Can you explain, because you received answers as to how we perceived you needed them.

    You have to remember we are all volunteers here and do the best we can. I thought LadySam was quite thorough.
  • Jul 19, 2012, 04:42 PM
    LadySam
    I'm not sure how to take that actually. Are you being snippy because I gave you some information based on years of experience of working with animals.
    Ok here is the answer to your question, the bacteria you are referring to is probably psuedomonas, however I don't know if that is what you were dealing with.
    "Do you think the snake was poisonous? Fang marks=poisonous, as far as snakes go.
    Why did this cat not die? It may not have been a snake bite.
    Everyone is healing well so I assume you took them to the vet or called your friend.
    So what was the conclusion?
    Thank you for doing that for her and getting her back on track.
  • Jul 20, 2012, 04:45 PM
    nancykcason1974
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tickle View Post
    nancy so glad kittens are doing fine, not often we get feedback; but what do you mean those werent the questions you needed answers to? Can you explain, because you received answers as to how we perceived you needed them.

    You have to remember we are all volunteers here and do the best we can. I thought LadySam was quite thorough.

    I didn't ask what to do, because I knew what to do! Like I said, I have worked with vets through the yrs, plus I happen to be a medical assistant! I did speak to my veterinarian the first time it happened, just to make sure I didn't need to do anything else! But, my question was if you might know the name of the green bacteria, & what kind of snake could've done that? But, don't worry, I will find out from my vet!
  • Jul 20, 2012, 07:07 PM
    LadySam
    Perhaps pastuerella or strep.
    Bite wounds are far more common than snake bites in cats, cats will fight to defend territory this one may have been defending her kittens.
    The puncture wounds are commonly mistaken for snake bites. That misconception is why I answered the way I did.
    I was assuming you had already spoken with your vet since you said the kittens had been treated with antibiotics.
    In any event I'm glad they are on the mend.

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