Could this be a bug bite? Or what?

coaster · 07-21-2005, 05:17 PM

I noticed this morning that Mellie has a bump on the bridge of her nose. It wasn't there yesterday. Upon close examination, I can see what appear to be two very small punctures in parallel about 1/4 inch apart. At first I thought it was a claw scratch and applied topic anti-biotic ointment. But those two marks are way too close together to be the result of cat claws. Do you suppose it's some kind of bug bite? I haven't seen any bugs that could do that. There's no sign of any discharge. The bump is rather firm, indicating tissue swelling rather than fluid, I think.

It doesn't seem to be bothering her, but if it's not showing signs of subsiding tomorrow morning, I'll probably take her to the vet. Just in case it's an abcess. In the meantime, if it is a bug bite, is there something else I should be doing other than the ointment? I didn't want to clean it with anti-bacterial soap because there's no way I can keep it out of her eyes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks....

Neko-chan · 07-21-2005, 09:55 PM

I'm sorry to hear your cat is injured, unfortunately I can't say I know what that is. My only suggestion is to take her to the vet

Meowmie · 07-22-2005, 12:51 AM

DH and I studied the pic with a magnifier for a long time

One mark definitely looks like a scratch to both of us, but the other....we were both wondering about the possibility of a tooth mark.
It has got to be one or the other. We've seen a spider bite and that didn't look like what you have in this pic.

Is the swelling going down at all?

coaster · 07-22-2005, 10:28 AM

It was about the same this morning so took her to the vet. Vet was unsure. Thought it looked more like a cat bite. Prescribed Amoxicillin (liquid suspension) twice daily for seven days as precaution against abcess forming. I'm not a big fan of preventive antibiotics. Especially a systemic antibiotic. But.....it being a Friday, if it was infected, it could be worse by Monday. So, I suppose it's the conservative thing to do. Cost = $42: office visit = $33, med = $9. Mellie = unhappy.

Brynn · 07-22-2005, 10:47 AM

My first thought was to suggest spider bite, but I guess that has been ruled out.

My second suggestion was to apply peroxide with a Q-tip, so that you can control it and not get it into her eyes.

Cats are remarkably good at healing their own wounds. Much better than humans, anyway

I would have done the same thing in regards to taking my pets (feline and human) in on a Friday, instead of taking a chance. Saturday vet visits can cost a fortune. Better to be safe, etc.

Poor Mellie...I hate Dr. visits, too. She'll get over it, though my cats would probably punish me for even thinking about taking them to the vet.

Jag is still teetering between being grateful and being resentful with the whole "anal gland" thing. Sheesh...I didn't enjoy any more than he did!

He will follow me around the house, chirping and rubbing me, wanting pets and cuddles, but if my hand gets anywhere NEAR his tail, he acts as if I have assaulted him. In his mind, I probably have

Before he lets me pet him, he has to sniff my hands to make sure there are no rubber gloves on. Can't say that I blame him.

Keep us posted on how Mellie is doing.

coaster · 07-22-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brynn

Before he lets me pet him, he has to sniff my hands to make sure there are no rubber gloves on.

Mellie parked herself under the bed all morning, but came out a little while ago for her first "dose". She's been sitting next to the water fountain for the last 15 minutes.

Brynn · 07-22-2005, 12:57 PM

Poor Mellie...
Amoxicillan is pretty nasty-tasting stuff. She needs some super-smelly cat treat, so she can get the taste of medicine out of her mouth (and share her stinky cat breath with you to pay you back for giving her the amoxi)

Meowmie · 07-22-2005, 03:05 PM

Hi Tim,

I'm just now catching up.
Glad you have medication. If the vet thinks this was a cat bite, the safest thing is to have something to prevent further complications.
Poor you and poor little Mellie.
You have my best wishes for a nice and uneventful weekend.

07-21-2005, 05:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	Could this be a bug bite? Or what? I noticed this morning that Mellie has a bump on the bridge of her nose. It wasn't there yesterday. Upon close examination, I can see what appear to be two very small punctures in parallel about 1/4 inch apart. At first I thought it was a claw scratch and applied topic anti-biotic ointment. But those two marks are way too close together to be the result of cat claws. Do you suppose it's some kind of bug bite? I haven't seen any bugs that could do that. There's no sign of any discharge. The bump is rather firm, indicating tissue swelling rather than fluid, I think. It doesn't seem to be bothering her, but if it's not showing signs of subsiding tomorrow morning, I'll probably take her to the vet. Just in case it's an abcess. In the meantime, if it is a bug bite, is there something else I should be doing other than the ointment? I didn't want to clean it with anti-bacterial soap because there's no way I can keep it out of her eyes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks....

07-21-2005, 09:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Neko-chan Cat Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Computer Posts: 155	I'm sorry to hear your cat is injured, unfortunately I can't say I know what that is. My only suggestion is to take her to the vet __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

07-22-2005, 12:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Meowmie Cool Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,076	DH and I studied the pic with a magnifier for a long time One mark definitely looks like a scratch to both of us, but the other....we were both wondering about the possibility of a tooth mark. It has got to be one or the other. We've seen a spider bite and that didn't look like what you have in this pic. Is the swelling going down at all?

07-22-2005, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	It was about the same this morning so took her to the vet. Vet was unsure. Thought it looked more like a cat bite. Prescribed Amoxicillin (liquid suspension) twice daily for seven days as precaution against abcess forming. I'm not a big fan of preventive antibiotics. Especially a systemic antibiotic. But.....it being a Friday, if it was infected, it could be worse by Monday. So, I suppose it's the conservative thing to do. Cost = $42: office visit = $33, med = $9. Mellie = unhappy.

07-22-2005, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Brynn Senior Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 687	My first thought was to suggest spider bite, but I guess that has been ruled out. My second suggestion was to apply peroxide with a Q-tip, so that you can control it and not get it into her eyes. Cats are remarkably good at healing their own wounds. Much better than humans, anyway I would have done the same thing in regards to taking my pets (feline and human) in on a Friday, instead of taking a chance. Saturday vet visits can cost a fortune. Better to be safe, etc. Poor Mellie...I hate Dr. visits, too. She'll get over it, though my cats would probably punish me for even thinking about taking them to the vet. Jag is still teetering between being grateful and being resentful with the whole "anal gland" thing. Sheesh...I didn't enjoy any more than he did! He will follow me around the house, chirping and rubbing me, wanting pets and cuddles, but if my hand gets anywhere NEAR his tail, he acts as if I have assaulted him. In his mind, I probably have Before he lets me pet him, he has to sniff my hands to make sure there are no rubber gloves on. Can't say that I blame him. Keep us posted on how Mellie is doing.

07-22-2005, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brynn Senior Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 687	Poor Mellie... Amoxicillan is pretty nasty-tasting stuff. She needs some super-smelly cat treat, so she can get the taste of medicine out of her mouth (and share her stinky cat breath with you to pay you back for giving her the amoxi)

07-22-2005, 03:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Meowmie Cool Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,076	Hi Tim, I'm just now catching up. Glad you have medication. If the vet thinks this was a cat bite, the safest thing is to have something to prevent further complications. Poor you and poor little Mellie. You have my best wishes for a nice and uneventful weekend.

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