Conference misery::feline_v1

    Michele,
    I would still take him to the vet.  The vet will be performing a
    great service by cleaning out the wound for you.  This will help
    prevent infection.  Also, your cat may need to be on antibiotics
    too.  If the gash is large and deep, the vet may need to stitch
    it up.
    
    By the time the wound becomes filled with pus, you have a major
    infection going on and it will be much more expensive to treat then.
    Also, is your cat current on his rabies shots?  In case the would
    was inflicted by a wild animal.
    
    To detect early signs of infection at home, take your cats temperature
    using a rectal thermometer.  The normal temp for a cat is between
    101-102.5.  If the cat is excited, the temp can be slightly higher
    without too much cause for concern.  If the temp is above 103 I
    would consider that there is infection going on somewhere, and in
    that case the cat should definitely been seen by a vet.
    
    Jo

    Won't it be dangerous for her to use a rectal thermometer on the cat
    without first being shown how by the vet?  I'm invisioning things
    being punctured.  I second the take him to the vet vote.
    

    My cats all try to sit down when the vet inserts the thermometer.
    Obviously you don't want that to happen so be prepared.
    

    Come on guys, taking a cat's temp is not a big deal.  If you have
    ever taken a babies temp, it is about the same thing.  Granted,
    most cats will not think it is such a hot idea, but I would say
    it was safe enough to do.  If anyone is concerned about it, they
    should check a cat health book for proper technique.
    
    I was more concerned that she may think that the cat is fine, and
    thinking that, not take him in.  A simple temp check would give
    her reason to realize that maybe outward signs indicate no problem,
    but inward signs indicate an infection.
    
    She asked for ways to tell if he had been hurt, that is what I supplied
    her with.
    
    Jo

    Yes, Jo, Your right.  You'ld have to use some pretty good force
    to puncture something, I would think.  The thing I used to worry
    about most when taking a temp was the glass thermometer breaking
    off in the wrong place.  
    
    I recently bought one of those plastic digital thermometers.  Very
    accurate, and now I don't sorry about breakage.  Besides, I used
    to have a hard time reading the glass ones.  The best $6 investment
    I ever made.  
    
    One suggestion though, if your going to try to take the cats temp,
    you might want to have someone help you hold the cat.  It is alot
    easier to not have to hold the cat, aim, and keep the cat from
    squirming all at the same time.  Never mind trying to hold him still
    once you get the thermometer where it belongs.
    
    No big deal taking a temp.
    
    cin
    

    Oh yeah, don't forget to lubricate the thermometer with plenty of
    vaseline of K-Y Jelly.
    
    

    
    
    Cin's suggestion of a digital thermometer is great, no fussing trying
    to read the thing.  I currently have one purchased from a vet supply
    catalog that has a loop on the end.  Actually I got it to use on
    my horse but have used it on the other furfaces in the house.  You
    can tie string/yarn to the loop and put an alligator clip on the
    end.  When taking my horse's temp, I just clip the end to his tail
    hairs.  No fear of _losing_ or forgetting the thermometer this way!
    
    Roslyn

    Roslyn, your note made me laugh!  I haven't had much experience
    around horses, but consider this...isn't it odd that the same size
    thermometer works on both horses and cats!?  I haven't really thought
    about it before, but I would have guessed a horse thermometer would
    have been *much* bigger.
    
    Plus, I will venture to bet that a horse looks really silly with
    a thermometer anchored to his tail...
    
    All of this in good fun :^D
    
    Jo

    re: .8  I had the same thought about the size of the thermometer!
    

    Roslyn-
    
    Where or what catalogue did you get it from?  My horse is getting old,
    and there are times when I should be doing the dirty job (aaahhh ;^P )
    but I don't (I know it is wrong, but Its something I have to get used
    to....usually I bring him to the vet).
    
    But this digital thermometer sounds like it would make it so much
    easier......so where did you get it?
    
    Michele 
    
    p.s.
    
    where do you keep your horsies?

    Michele,
    
    You can get the digital thermometer from any drug store.  I got
    mine at CVS.
    
    cin
    

    Cin-
    
    Is it a people type?  Can you use them on animals?  about how much $$$?
    
    (I'm really looking for a way out on this......I have a weak tummy....
    aaaaahhhhhh......;^)   
    
    m&n

    Yup, it's a people type.  In fact, I bought mine at CVS at my vets
    suggestion.  That's where he got the ones he's using in his office.
    They range in price from about $6 to $10 depending on if you want
    a fancy case or not.  It's very simple to use...lubricate with
    vaseline, insert in "correct" area, press the little button that
    starts the temp taking, and it beeps when it's done.  My vet says
    they also take a temp faster than the glass ones, about 30 seconds
    or so.
    
    These thermometers run on a little battery.  Some of them are sold
    so that you can replace the battery, some are "disposable".  I bought
    one of the disposable types, and have been using it for several
    months now.  My vet said his last for about a year or so, but I'm
    sure he takes many more temperatures than I do!!!  BTW, you only
    use the battery when your actually taking the temp, so it should
    last a long time.
    
    cin
    

    Michele-
    
    I got my thermometer out of Jeffers Vet Supply.  It's a heavy duty
    5" glass thermometer with a ring top and plastic, screw top case.
    Dual scale in oF and oC.  It goes for $2.25. Part # T3-T1
    
    I also noticed that they carry a digital thermometer. Easy to read
    LCD display reads from 89.6 to 107.6 degrees F.  It too is 5" long
    and comes with a study case of high impact plastic.  This one goes
    for $7.75 (part # M7-T1)and a box of 100 disposable probe covers
    is $3.85 (part # M7-T2).
    
    This catalog has all sorts of good stuff in it for cows, pigs, horses,
    sheep, dogs, cats and chickens.  To  order by phone: 1-800-663-7592.
    Phone hours are: M-F 6 am to 9 pm CENTRAL TIME; Sat. 7 am to 5 pm;
    Sun. 5 pm to 9 pm.   Their address: Jeffers Vet Supply  Box 100
    Dothan, Alabama 36302.  They have a money back guarantee.
    
    Michele, I keep _my little pony_ in Billerica at MacKay's Lone Birch
    Farm.  For the first time since having him (10 years), I was lucky
    enough to be able to rent an apartment and keep him with me. YAY!!
    Cheyenne is 22 and stillgoing strong.  We'll be heading up to Vermont
    for the 4th of July.
    
    TTFN,
    
    Roslyn
    
          

    Where in Vermont do you go Roslyn?  WE go Memorial day weekend and
    Labor day weekend w/ the horses.  It is so beautiful up there....
    

    Michele, we seemed to have digressed from the base note.  Let's
    continue this off-line.
    
    TTFN,
    
    Roslyn

    Is the phone number listed for Jeffers Vet Supply correct?
    
    I reach only a recording saying that the call can't be completed.
    
    Thanks,
    	    Pennie

    
    OOOPPPS! Is my face red.  The fingers weren't working well I guess.
    Pennie you're right the phone number is incorrect.
    
    The correct number is: 1-800-633-7592.  Sorry for the incovenience.
    
    Roslyn