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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / November 2007Demi's Boo-boo
After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! Sammy has been occasionally confronting Demi (our little scaredy cat) and will swat her when Demi crouches and yowls instead of running away. We keep everyone's claws clipped, so there isn't ever any bloodshed. However, night before last Sammy gave her a really hard swat (we *heard* it all the way across the great room). After a few minutes, when I was finally able to coax Demi to let me pick her up, I noticed something weird (and a bit scary) on/in her earlobe. She has a swelling, about the size of a nickel, inside the earlobe. The best way I can describe it is that it looks like when you hit yourself on the fatty part of your finger, on the underside right next to the palm, and it causes a blue-ish swelling (probably when a small blood vessel breaks). I could feel the lump inside the earlobe, it was pretty thick. I did some web research and found this: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1336&articleid=1563 I talked to Dr. French on the phone last night and he thinks that it *is* a hematoma. While most hematomas are caused by shaking the head or scratching the ear because of an ear infection, allergy or mites, some can be caused by trauma (in this case Sammy smacking Demi upside the head). Dr. French said that there were three options for dealing with this: 1) aspirate the hematoma with a syringe, but this can introduce an infection and the hematoma is likely to come back almost immediately; 2) surgically remove the hematoma, but this will leave scar tissue which can cause the ear to appear wrinkled (or, as it is usually called, a "cauliflower ear" like boxers get); or 3) leave it alone and it will eventually go away; but this will leave scar tissue which can.... etc. Since there is no underlying medical cause of the hematoma, she doesn't need any other medical treatment. As for the hematoma, I don't want to introduce an infection, which means option 1 is out. The outcome of options 2 and 3 are the same in the long run (with the only difference being to my pocketbook and having Demi facing the trauma of the vet and the dangers of anesthesia at age 9). So I think we'll go with option 3 and just concentrate on finding a way to keep Sammy from beating up on the little wussy girl. Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder would be greatly appreciated.  SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters here: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was > ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. Yup - hematoma.. basically a blood blister. The blood will be re-absorbed into the body, but the skin (ear) will be thicker. Friend's German Sheppard has had one (due to her brofur, another German Sheppard, biting her ear - more than once - during scuffles). She left it be and now the dogs ear is much thicker, and since this happened on the upper portion of her ear, that ear now flops over.... she has one (normal) ear up, and one ear down... gives her that "puppy" look... Signaturehttp://www.firstgiving.com/nalee1131964 About my charity: Monroe County Humane Association Established in 1956, the MCHA is the longest standing animal welfare organization in Monroe County. The MCHA is dedicated to "Leading, Advocating and Educating for Animal Welfare." Find out more at www.monroehumane.org. >> After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was >> ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > her ear, that ear now flops over.... she has one (normal) ear up, and one > ear down... gives her that "puppy" look... Awwww, that sounds cute! Demi's ear is already kind of bending over - sort of like when they fold it down and then back - but not all the way. I don't care how it looks (although she's such a "valley girl", that *she* might ;>) - I just want her to feel better. And I want Sammy to stop picking on her!!! Hugs, CatNipped > I talked to Dr. French on the phone last night and he thinks that it *is* > a hematoma. Purrs for Demi, particularly from Snowball who would like to tell the hoolisamazon to behave herself or he'll have to teleport over to sort her out. And, while smaller and lighter, he's a whole lot faster and has BIG snowshoe-sized paws & claws.... Purrs Snowball, Gordon & the rest of the FF >> I talked to Dr. French on the phone last night and he thinks that it *is* >> a hematoma. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > out. And, while smaller and lighter, he's a whole lot faster and has BIG > snowshoe-sized paws & claws.... LOL! You know, the weirdest thing I've ever seen a cat do happened at the same time. After Sammy had swatted Demi on the head, while Sammy was sitting there, upright with upright ears and staring Demi down, and Demi was crouched down and yowling with her ears laid back, *Ozzy* walked over and placed his body between the two - and crouched down facing sideways to both of them. I always knew that Ozzy was a laid-back, hippy of a cat (thus his name), but that was absolutely amazing to see this kitten place himself between two fighting adult cats and play peace-maker!! Hugs, CatNipped > Purrs > Snowball, Gordon & the rest of the FF [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption > =---- >>> I talked to Dr. French on the phone last night and he thinks that it >>> *is* a hematoma. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > CatNipped Peacemaker????? Or just SCHTOOPID???? Reminds me of the time when Weeble was still a youngun - less than 6 months old, but not a "bitty" any more. The only cats we had at the time were him, Lizzie, Tennessee, and Smokey (aka Ol' Toofless). I had woken, opened the bedroom door, the blinds and was laying in bed reading. The cats meandered in as they saw fit, Tennessee was by my feet and Lizzie in the front window, soaking up the morning sun. I got drowsy myself, and was dosing off, when all of a sudden, Lizzie started screaming and smacking the window, hard. I sat bolt upright and looked, and clinging to the screen (a la those cheezy Garfield stuffed critters w/ the suction cups at the end of each leg) outside the window was some grey/brown tabby cat. Lizzie apparently took offense at this cat. Cat saw me through the window and took off around the corner, and Lizzie (still growling) jumped 6 +/- feet diagonally from one window, to a corner of the bed (narrowly missing Tennessee who was trying to beat a hasty retreat), to the next window to ensure this intruder left. But here comes Weeble, all kitty smiles and kitten eagerness, wanting to know what was going on, and he was going to leap right up next to his Auntie Lizzie - but I stopped him as I knew that Lizzie is the transferred-aggression Queen, and since she wasn't able to shred the intruder, Weeble would get it! Signature-- The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep >>>> I talked to Dr. French on the phone last night and he thinks that it >>>> *is* a hematoma. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Peacemaker????? Or just SCHTOOPID???? ROTFLMAO! Well yes, there's that factor too - there is no more schtoopid creature on the face of the earth than a kitten - brave, but brainless! ;> > Reminds me of the time when Weeble was still a youngun - less than 6 > months old, but not a "bitty" any more. The only cats we had at the time [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > knew that Lizzie is the transferred-aggression Queen, and since she wasn't > able to shred the intruder, Weeble would get it! Oh man, did he dodge a bullet (or rather you pulled him from its path)! ;> Hugs, CatNipped > You know, the weirdest thing I've ever seen a cat do happened at the same > time. After Sammy had swatted Demi on the head, while Sammy was sitting [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > name), but that was absolutely amazing to see this kitten place himself > between two fighting adult cats and play peace-maker!! It's just the utter fearlessness of kittens! This reminds me of a funny thing I saw on Animal Planet last night. They were showing a bunch of programs about tigers for several hours, and I caught one that I've seen before, about 4 baby tigers being hand-raised in an animal park by the keepers. They also have several adult tigers that had previously been hand-raised as well. At one point during the show, they decided to introduce the babies to some of the adult tigers, all of whom were tame enough to require nothing more than to be lead around on a leash by one person. The cubs at this point were maybe a few months old, and barely bigger than the average housecat. But the minute each adult tiger saw the babies, they would back up and start growling. It was hilarious. They were probably 20 times the size of those cubs, and they were all afraid of them. But the cubs, of course, were completely intrepid and just lay there staring at the big tigers in complete fascination. Joyce > > You know, the weirdest thing I've ever seen a cat do happened at the > > same [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > But the cubs, of course, were completely intrepid and just lay there > staring at the big tigers in complete fascination. That's why I fell in love with the feline species - as did my best friend when she saw week-old kittens, with eyes still sealed closed, hiss at a dog who wandered into "their" room! ;> They have an indomitable spirit! Hugs, CatNipped > Joyce > After Sammy had swatted Demi on the head, while Sammy was sitting there, > upright with upright ears and staring Demi down, and Demi was crouched [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > name), but that was absolutely amazing to see this kitten place himself > between two fighting adult cats and play peace-maker!! Adorable, but not unheard of. It reminds me of Pericles of blessed memory who, when his beloved Senior Stepbrother Bandit was in the garden being attacked (as happened several times by the bigger cats either side plus transitting Toms visiting the unspayed females nearby), would dash to intercede and knock 7 bells out of the assailant. He'd still have a go at them if Bandit wasn't under threat but only if they hadn't left following standard yowl & posture threat procedure. Continuing purrs for Demi's recovery Gordon & the FF >> After Sammy had swatted Demi on the head, while Sammy was sitting there, >> upright with upright ears and staring Demi down, and Demi was crouched [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > them if Bandit wasn't under threat but only if they hadn't left following > standard yowl & posture threat procedure. Awww, that's so sweet. I don't understand how anyone could believe that cats don't have emotions too. They can be just as loyal as d*gs, they're just more discriminating! ;> Hugs, CatNipped > Continuing purrs for Demi's recovery > Gordon & the FF [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption > =---- > think we'll go with option 3 and just concentrate on finding a way > to keep Sammy from beating up on the little wussy girl. > > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our > clowder would be greatly appreciated. Based on your post, I would agree that waiting might be the best option -- probably the least traumatic for Demi, too. Purrs for your household and for Demi. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Purrs on the way. Ann Signatureread Sam's blog at http://kittens-3.blogspot.com/ > After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was > ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. poor Demi. Purrs and prayers that it's nothing serious. Lily & her mama SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time. > After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was > ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. A haematoma is only a posh name for a blood blister. It can become chronic if it is caused (like in dogs) by continual ear-shaking due to mites as in that case the root cause has to be addressed. In Demi's case (if you are sure that's what it is) from a one-off injury - like a blood blister you might get yourself from trapping a finger, I would sterilize a needle and prick it. I didn't tell you that, OK? ;-) Alternatively you can let it get reabsorbed by her body in due course. Tweed >A haematoma is only a posh name for a blood blister. It can become chronic >if it is caused (like in dogs) by continual ear-shaking due to mites as in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Tweed I don't think I'd have the guts to do that (my daughter gives her dogs all their shots - but then she's studying to be a nurse and gives shots and IVs to people). I'm *way* to squeamish to do that, but have the greatest admiration (and gratitude) for those who aren't. I'm going to try just letting it be and hope it goes away on its own (the vet said it may take a few weeks for it to disappear). Hugs, CatNipped > Dr. French said > that there were three options for dealing with this: 1) aspirate the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > or 3) leave it alone and it will eventually go away; but this will leave > scar tissue which can.... etc. > [snip] So I think we'll go with option 3 and just > concentrate on finding a way to keep Sammy from beating up on the little > wussy girl. I agree with your decision. I've had plenty of blood blisters from shutting my fingers in a drawer or whatever, and I've never done a thing about them. They go away on their own. If hers doesn't seem any better after a few days (or seems to get worse), then I'd consider bringing her to the vet to make sure it's not actually from something else, unrelated to Sammy's whack. But at the moment it doesn't sound like an emergency. How did Demi respond when you poked and prodded her ear? Did it seem to be painful to her? OK, she's a wuss. But really, what else does Demi need to do in life besides lie around and be gorgeous? :) Purrs for the beautiful scaredy-cat, Joyce > > Dr. French said > > that there were three options for dealing with this: 1) aspirate the [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > shutting my fingers in a drawer or whatever, and I've never done a thing > about them. They go away on their own. Yep, me too - they hurt like the devil until they go away! > If hers doesn't seem any better after a few days (or seems to get worse), > then I'd consider bringing her to the vet to make sure it's not actually > from something else, unrelated to Sammy's whack. But at the moment it > doesn't sound like an emergency. I had just clipped her claws earlier in the day and there was no trace of it on her hear then. It appeared after Sammy whacked her so hard we heard it all the way across the great room, so I'm pretty sure it was caused by the trauma (cats ears are really thin and sensative). > How did Demi respond when you poked and prodded her ear? Did it seem to > be painful to her? Well, you have to understand Demi. She is *SO* terrified when you try to pick her up that the adreneline she's producing probably overcomes any pain she's feeling. She didn't appear to be in pain when I touched it (but then, I didn't touch it hard, I just lightly felt it). Cats will do whatever is necessary to hide their pain (as a predator species, they have to do so). I think it will be OK - I haven't seen her shaking her head or pawing at her ear since then. > OK, she's a wuss. But really, what else does Demi need to do in life > besides lie around and be gorgeous? :) LOL! I swear this is true... when I clip her claws the *only* way I can get her to sit still long enough and not panic is to tell her she's getting her weekly mani-pidi. After I tell her that she'll sit still and let me "do her nails"! She's the epitome of the "valley girl", very blond, very vain, very empty-headed! ;> > Purrs for the beautiful scaredy-cat, Thanks, I'll be sure to let her know that rpca-ers and their owners are purring for her full recovery! Hugs, CatNipped > Joyce >> > Dr. French said >> > that there were three options for dealing with this: 1) aspirate the [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Yep, me too - they hurt like the devil until they go away! I used to work with a bunch of guys we called "tinners". Sheet metal workers. They were constantly smashing their fingernails. "First Aid" consisted of heating a needle till it glowed and pushing it through the nail to let the blood out. The treatment was actually pretty much painless. A hot needle melts its way through fingernail and the blood oozes out. It relieves the pressure from the blood blister and the pain. It also usually prevents the loss of the nail. Of course it had to be done pretty much right away. Of course I'm not recommending it and I'd never try it on a cat. But I've done it myself a few times. Jo > I used to work with a bunch of guys we called "tinners". Sheet metal > workers. They were constantly smashing their fingernails. "First Aid" > consisted of heating a needle till it glowed and pushing it through the nail > to let the blood out. The treatment was actually pretty much painless. A > hot needle melts its way through fingernail and the blood oozes out. It > relieves the pressure from the blood blister and the pain. EWWWWWW!! I would have to get someone else to do that for me, I don't think I'd have the nerve to do it myself. I'm a big baby about such things. I can understand how it would lessen the pain, though, which is a good thing! Joyce > "First Aid" >consisted of heating a needle till it glowed and pushing it through the nail to let the blood out. My father used a power drill. It was scary while he was doing it, but it worked. He never once drilled on into the finger. I like the hot needle idea better though. L. > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. Purrs on the way for the gorgeous one. Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. Purrs on the way. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. Many purrs for Demi's owie! Christine > After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was > ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. <snip> >Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder >would be greatly appreciated. purrs for Demi's ear, and for peace Little Bit surprised Spotty the other night by giving her a mighty haymaker right on top of her head between her ears. LB usually backs off when on of the others want something, but there are some things she demands first dibs on. One of the things LB is willing to fight for is HER spot on the right side of the bed on chilly nights. Spotty and Sammy usually take turns on the left side. We recently had our first cold spell, and for a change all three cats wanted on the bed at the same time. Spotty was the last to arrive. Sammy was already in the best left side spot, so Spot decided to take over LB's right side. LB warned her with a low growl, and I looked over from the TV just in time to see LB bop Spot. Spot had a surprised look and backed off and just stared for a minute. On warmer nights LB would have decided it wasn't worth the bother and gone to find a different spot, but this was a chilly night. Spotty tried to sort of ease closer, but that only earned another warning growl. LB wasn't about to move, so Spotty eventually had to settle for sleeping on the foot of the bed. > After spending upwards of $4,000 at the vet in the last 3 months, I was > ready for a change in our luck - but fate has struck again! [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > Purrs for Demi to feel better and also for peace to reign in our clowder > would be greatly appreciated. Lots and lots of purrs and best wishes for Demi to recover completely, Polonca and Soncek |
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