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Question

My cat was bitten by a gopher on her neck. It was healing then she scratched the scab off. Now all the skin on her neck is showing. What can I do to make sure it does not get infected?

Submitted: 81 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Cat Veterinary
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Answer

Clean the wound with betadine solution or Hibiclens (you can purchase these at your local pharmacy)diluted with water twice a day. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment like neosporin or bacitracin twice a day. Although gofers do not typically carry rabies, I would make sure her rabies vaccine is up to date. Watch the area carefully because a lot of times bite wounds close up to easily (because they are typically small punctures), while the infection is still inside. Then an abscess can develop. Look for signs of an abscess which are swelling, redness, and warmth. If this occurs then it may need to be lanced and a drain put in. However, if it already scabbed over this will probably not be an issue. Try to keep the cat inside until it fully heals if possible. I hope this helps!

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Expert: Dr. Erica
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/2/2009

Cat Veterinarian

11 years of small animal practice, graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College



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