I was cutting off a clump of cat fur and I cut the skin there is no bleeding and he is eating and laying around but does not want it touched. It looks wet and pink. It's about the width of my thumb. Help!
Hello,
I am sorry your kitty is injured. This is actually a pretty common problem in older cats, the fur matts up and owners accidentally cut the skin while trying to remove the matt. As cats age the skin can become very thin, and they can also be prone to illness that can affect the hair coat, making it dull, dry and easily tangled. Because of these reasons, it is inadvisable to use scissors to remove matts, and badly matted fur should be taken care of by a vet or a professional groomer only. Even though your kitty is still eating, it is obvious that he is uncomfortable since he doesn't want you to touch the cut. Typically, these types of injuries are sutured closed by a vet, but sometimes the wound is so superficial that it can be closed with tissue glue. Please note, the tissue glue is a special product, and is only available at a veterinarian. And, only a vet should glue or close a wound like this. Your kitty needs to be seen first thing tomorrow for an exam, wound treatment, antibiotics and pain medicines. If you are able, you should also consider having a full blood and urine panel done to screen for the most commonly found illnesses in older cats like diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. The presence of any one of these illnesses can cause multiple symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption, increased urination, dehydration, weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, poor hair coat, changes in appetite, changes in behavior and increased vocalizations. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. If this has been helpful, please hit the green accept button. Good luck with your kitty, I hope he feels better soon.
Emergency Critical Care Nurse
16+ years of veterinary experience