I followed everyone's advice, let DH hold kitty and got to work on kitty's nails. It was painful, she cried and bit us a few times - but not hard. The nails had actually grown into her paw pads, some quite horribly deep. She must have been in so much pain, just walking much less jumping down from her perches. I cringe to think about it.
I soaked her paws in warm water with antibacterial soap, which strangely enough, she did not mind at all. Then supported each claw from underneath with a metal nail file to prevent the clipper from cutting paw tissue. Then clipped the claw in 2, pulled the imbedded claw out of the paw, clipped away at the remaining claw until all were done on that paw, then soaked the paw again in warm water and anti-bacterial soap, dried and applied neosporin in copious amounts.
There was a little bit of blood but nothing pumping out, just enough that DH wouldn't look while I was clipping - his kitty ya' know. After it was all over, I loved on her a bit, then she scooted away, albeit slowly. I haven't seen her yet today, she is in her hiding spot. BUT, it MUST feel better than it did - right?
Again, you guys are truly the greatest. I did not know where to begin to get information and then I remembered the folks at rv.net where someone always has the answer and will respond even if there is no RV issue. Kisses all around.
What I thought was a horrible disease took less than 15 mintues to "cure". I will keep an eye on her paws for signs of infection and will now make it a habit to clip them regularly.
PAPOPPY - being the caregiver to a loved one has its own rewards, doesn't it? Yes, it is exhausting both physically and mentally - I have aged 5 years in 6 months - but family is after all family and we don't stop adoring our loved ones just because they are sick and in need. However, it has made me realize that DH and I need to purchase a LTC policy and make some plans in the event that we too live long enough to become a dependant, sick, elderly person.
Kitty will be thankful for what you did. they will also be a little scared for the next few days if you pick them up and put them on your lap...fearing that you are going to do it again. But over a very short time they get over that fear. You did a great job and be proud of yourself.
Dave & DW Jodi
Max the Cat (RIP)
SoCal Mountains
2007 Country Coach 430 Allure
2012 Jeep GC Overland
Yay for crisis averted! Yes, there is a wealth of info on this board, no matter the pet issue, somebody has been there. Our vet said it won't hurt the animal if she licks the neosporin off, which I once worried about. She will be tending her boo boos for awhile. In the olden days,we used to just buy kitty's favorite food or some tuna and let her hole up in a closet or whatever safe place she picked until she felt better. Most times that worked just fine. Good job, DH, for assisting with "surgery" too. I'm sure he feels relieved.
Oh, one other thing. I would probably replace her kitty litter with the ground corn cob or newsprint kind, something other than the usual gravelly kind of litter which has sharp points on it. The regular litter might disrupt healing. Just change over temporarily until she's all better.
Kitty just emerged from hiding. DH said "leave her alone, she needs to eat in peace" but I had to check her paws for my own peace of mind. They look fine, no bleeding, no inflamation and she HATES me even more than before.
Although I had kitty before DH, once she met him - it was love at first sight and she has ignored me since. Jezebel. Then after we married, she was attacked by some animal when she wandered outside at his house. Her skin and fur were stripped from her back leg - it was a limb threatening injury. I had to debride it and soak the wound in peroxide daily for months according to the vet's instruction to save the leg. It was very painful and only confirmed to her that I was unworthy of her attention or affection. The leg healed perfectly but still I am persona non grata around here.
Iris
Will change the litter to shredded newpaper when I get home tonight.
Sounds like you are doing a fabulous job with her. Are you going to go ahead and take her to the vet so he/she can have a look and prescribe antibiotics if needed? Shoving a pill down her throat will help you bond even more I bet.
Cat (Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Our toys:
2003 Damon Ultrasport 3873
(picture on profile)
Boat = ProCraft Fish & Ski
Working our way toward retirement...wishing it was soon.
CatandJim - just taking her on a trip in the car is enough to earn her contempt for months. Pills get growls and claws.
I examined them again tonight and they look nearly healed already. Will call the vet for antibiotics. She is a little bit frisky tonight so her paws must feel better. How could they not?
Although I had kitty before DH, once she met him - it was love at first sight and she has ignored me since.
Isn't it funny how they decide who their person is? You would think feeding, watering, etc, would count for something, but not always. Our cat and bird love me the best but our dogs idolize DH. Go figger.
You must read kitty the story about the lion with the thorn in his paw. Let her know she's supposed to be grateful.
She may not need anything, but I'd watch her closely for a few days, and check her feet daily, in spite of her obnoxiosity about it... just in case anything develops. Any signs of swelling or heat and she'd need to be seen for sure. But by all means call the vet and get their input on it.
I'm very sympathetic to not wanting to take cats to the vet. My Sput, who is coming up on her sixteenth birthday, went to the vet last fall. She took that opportunity to sink a fang into the vet's thumb. Right there at the edge where the quick of the nail is.... OUCH. Little monsters, they are.
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