Cat Astrophe - person rejects professional vet assistance, asks me

[TheVat]

I've been asked to help save a mauled cat (stable ATM - I've cleaned and debrided the wound with saline, cleared back some pelt, and applied vetericyn as a hydrogel over the gaping wounds - she's now sleeping and doesn't seem febrile).  The veterinary option doesn't work for the cat's owner, and I have enough basic medic skills that I offered (reluctantly) to do what I can.  Two big openings which suggest canine upper and lower jaws coming in and ripping out some hunks.  Looks like the visceral peritoneum is intact, with skin and fascia torn away.  Emough missing that it would need either a very tensioned purse string suture or some kind of graft (clearly beyond me).  There's a whiff of infection, so I want to leave it open for now.

What is hard to tell is if there's any suture pattern that will really close things up and not rip when she moves.  The alternative is "healing by secondary intention," where wound stays open and collagen fibers start to grow over and form scar tissue.  This will leave bald spots prominent 

[John Cuthber]

19 hours ago, TheVat said:

The veterinary option doesn't work for the cat's owner,

I'm puzzled.
What does that mean?
They can't afford it?

 

[TheVat]

34 minutes ago, John Cuthber said:

I'm puzzled.
What does that mean?
They can't afford it?

 

Welcome to the USA.  Much of the working class can no longer afford health care, veterinary care, or home ownership.  The loveliest blossom of capitalism the world has ever seen!  And the family wouldn't accept money from me.  

The cat is hanging in there.  Cheers.

[zapatos]

20 hours ago, TheVat said:

I offered (reluctantly) to do what I can

Good for you. That's very kind of you.

[StringJunky]

44 minutes ago, TheVat said:

Welcome to the USA.  Much of the working class can no longer afford health care, veterinary care, or home ownership.  The loveliest blossom of capitalism the world has ever seen!  And the family wouldn't accept money from me.  

The cat is hanging in there.  Cheers.

Could you look for an online vet that you could consult? Will likely cost, but probably not as much. There are text-only consultations, which are the cheapest.

[TheVat]

25 minutes ago, StringJunky said:

Could you look for an online vet that you could consult? Will likely cost, but probably not as much. There are text-only consultations, which are the cheapest.

That's sort of what I did.  Informal consultation confirmed that leaving it open was their best option.  They have to get one of those Elizabethan collars for a while, so she will leave the wounds alone and not lick off the hydrogel.  Those, fortunately, are $10-15 at a pet supply store.

[LuckyR]

On 10/17/2024 at 11:11 AM, TheVat said:

Looks like the visceral peritoneum is intact, with skin and fascia torn away.  Emough missing that it would need either a very tensioned purse string suture or some kind of graft (clearly beyond me).  

So did you give anesthesia to do the exam (and would it be available for any repair)? 

Sounds like these are abdominal wounds. With the peritoneum intact, I'd lean towards closing the fascia with interrupted sutures, but I agree with keeping the skin open for now. I'd try for delayed primary closure over closure by secondary intention. 

 

Good luck.