My dog attacked a cat

Dial Hard

Hi Guys

My dog attacked a cat on our walk this morning. It was in a thick stand of bushes so I didn't see a whole lot of what happened. Brought the dog home and went back over to check if the cat was ok. It was still there but bit me quite badly when I tried to check it.

I really don't want to just leave the cat there as it looked like it may have had a broken paw. Any advice on how to safely get it out from under the bush and to the vet?

I feel absolutely awful here so please no recriminations about what an awful dog owner I am. She won't be walked off-lead anymore, needless to say. I just want to do what's best for the cat.

Thanks

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

Dial Hard

Melendez wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Thanks Melendez.

Got a helper and the thickest towel I own but when I went back over, it was gone. I had a good check around to make sure it hadn't just gone deeper into the bushes but no sign of it. I'll keep checking back but hopefully it's gone home. I might put a few posters up around the area to see if I can track down the owners, I don't want them having to foot any vet bills.

And now I'm off to get a tetanus shot for my bites, I rang the doctor while I was off getting the towel and waiting on my helper and he said that because I haven't had a tetanus booster since primary school, I have to get one.

Worst Monday ever. God, I really hope the cat is OK

aonb

dont beat yourself up about it OP, these things happen, at least you had the decency to go back and to worry about getting the cat to the vet.
dont blame your dog either - furry creature under a bush as he went about sniffing - bound to end in tears - unfortunately. These things happen too.

Riesen_Meal

You really need to find the owner, I'd be fairly upset to come home after work (on a Monday of all days!) and find one of my family members half dead from being attacked by a dog that was off the lead...

childsplay

The OP is clearly sorry and remorseful about what has happened. They take full responsibility for events and has taken steps to care for the injured cat. They are also planning to look for the cats owners so l don't know how your post is in anyway helpful. I would totally agree with you if the OP hadn't been so remorseful btw.

Riesen_Meal

childsplay wrote: »

The OP is clearly sorry and remorseful about what has happened. They take full responsibility for events and has taken steps to care for the injured cat. They are also planning to look for the cats owners so l don't know how your post is in anyway helpful. I would totally agree with you if the OP hadn't been so remorseful btw.

Let's just hope that the OP can get in touch with the cats owner so and that the cat has not gotten worse...

I didn't mean to come across harsh to the poster but having seen first hand what a dog can do to a cat, the cat probably has not got much time left...

Possibly the OP could contact a local SPCA for further advice?

njs030

Fieldog wrote: »

Let's just hope that the OP can get in touch with the cats owner so and that the cat has not gotten worse...

I didn't mean to come across harsh to the poster but having seen first hand what a dog can do to a cat, the cat probably has not got much time left...

Possibly the OP could contact a local SPCA for further advice?

What would you suggest she do exactly? She's said she will put up posters (which is what an SPCA will suggest) she said she will pay any vet bill, she tried to look after the cats needs BEFORE her own medical needs.
I can't see what else she can do at this point, but maybe instead of criticising her you have some suggestions of your own?

Riesen_Meal

notjustsweet wrote: »

What would you suggest she do exactly? She's said she will put up posters (which is what an SPCA will suggest) she said she will pay any vet bill, she tried to look after the cats needs BEFORE her own medical needs.
I can't see what else she can do at this point, but maybe instead of criticising her you have some suggestions of your own?

Possibly going around and calling into all the houses local to where the attack happened to ask them about the cat - does anyone know who owns the cat etc?

"Did the cat have a collar, or could it have been a local cat" etc

Then if there is no luck with that, then try using the poster on a lamppost approach - I didn't realise an SPCA would only suggest to do this though...

It is awful to happen, and I would say the OP got a shock, but hopefully they find the missing mogg and get it fixed up...

njs030

Fieldog wrote: »

Possibly going around and calling into all the houses local to where the attack happened to ask them about the cat - does anyone know who owns the cat etc?

"Did the cat have a collar, or could it have been a local cat" etc

Then if there is no luck with that, then try using the poster on a lamppost approach - I didn't realise an SPCA would only suggest to do this though...

It is awful to happen, and I would say the OP got a shock, but hopefully they find the missing mogg and get it fixed up...

They might suggest more I don't know, I meant they would say to do that.
Good ideas, I think the poor op is pretty shaken as well as injured and probably will be glad of your suggestions when she reads them.

Knine

Fieldog wrote: »

You really need to find the owner, I'd be fairly upset to come home after work (on a Monday of all days!) and find one of my family members half dead from being attacked by a dog that was off the lead...

And your cat was on the lead? Unfortunately when cats are out wandering this is just one of the many risks you take. My own dogs would do the same. The OP is doing their best. I guess you would pay their GP fees too?

VonVix

So sorry this happened to you, OP. Don't think you're a bad dog owner, your dog's instincts simply kicked in at that moment, where it may have never done so in the past. The fact you fully acknowledge what happened was possibly preventable and are trying to make it right, not only shows that you are a good dog owner, but a good person as well.

Dial Hard

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.

I rang the DSPCA and they were no help, they just said that if the cat was gone it was "probably" ok.

I think I'll put the posters through the letterboxes of the houses near where it happened. There are already posters up about another cat someone found that had been hit by a car last week and I suspect mine would just be passed over as people would assume they were the same ones and not actually read it.

The cat had a collar and a tag on so it's definitely someone's pet

ETA: my sister just had the good idea of ringing around all the local vets and asking them to be on the lookout for any cats that match the description being brought in with injuries from a dog, so I'm going to do that now.

Riesen_Meal

Knine wrote: »

And your cat was on the lead? Unfortunately when cats are out wandering this is just one of the many risks you take. My own dogs would do the same. The OP is doing their best. I guess you would pay their GP fees too?

I'm sure between the two of them they could work something out regarding GP fees...

I generally wouldn't have a cat outside the house to wander around if I was off at work for the day, for fear of something happening and I wasn't there to try help prevent it...

Unfortunately most cat owners would not share my opinion and leave them off to wander for the day whilst at work, so you do have a fair point regarding a lead, it's not like cats are pitbulls though, and of course there are vicious cat's, just like there are vicious breeds of dogs

These things do happen with dog's and cat's unfortunately, it's natural, but in a lot of cases it can be preventable...

Hopefully the OP can work it out if he finds the owner ...

intheclouds

Knine wrote: »

And your cat was on the lead? Unfortunately when cats are out wandering this is just one of the many risks you take. My own dogs would do the same. The OP is doing their best. I guess you would pay their GP fees too?

Is it law in this country that cats have to be under control of their owners in public?

Knine

intheclouds wrote: »

Is it law in this country that cats have to be under control of their owners in public?

No but it is common sense that if they are wandering around unsupervised - they might not come home. Lucky for the cat the OP is obviously a responsible dog owner.

average_runner

intheclouds wrote: »

Is it law in this country that cats have to be under control of their owners in public?

But maybe check the bye laws in your local area, as they might a rule saying dogs must be on a leash.

looksee

Don't get into all this defensive silliness about cats and dogs. I have two cats, they are indoor/outdoor cats and get on perfectly well. It is of course possible that one of them could be injured by - anything, really. I would prefer that to keeping them indoors 24/7.

And of course it is quite possible that the dog could have ended up the worst off - a cornered cat is quite capable of giving a dog a nasty injury. It is also possible that the cat was already injured when it hid in the bushes, its hard to see how a dog would damage a cat's paw without getting some sort of scratch injury.

irish_goat

You should check with your GP about getting some antibiotics too. Cat bites have a much higher risk of infection than a dog bite.

Ms Doubtfire1

Op sorry this has happened. Great to see a dog owner taking responsibility, many would have just walked away.What i would do is call the vets in the area- if a cat of your description comes in with the possible injuries from a dog attack, to contact you or have the owner get in touch with you. I'm sure you have an idea of the color/size of the cat.

Ms Doubtfire1

irish_goat wrote: »

You should check with your GP about getting some antibiotics too. Cat bites have a much higher risk of infection than a dog bite.

Tetanus is VERY!!!! important with catbites!!

almostbroke

Dial Hard wrote: »

Hi Guys

My dog attacked a cat on our walk this morning. It was in a thick stand of bushes so I didn't see a whole lot of what happened. Brought the dog home and went back over to check if the cat was ok. It was still there but bit me quite badly when I tried to check it.

I really don't want to just leave the cat there as it looked like it may have had a broken paw. Any advice on how to safely get it out from under the bush and to the vet?

I feel absolutely awful here so please no recriminations about what an awful dog owner I am. She won't be walked off-lead anymore, needless to say. I just want to do what's best for the cat.

Thanks

Well done to you for going back and checking if the cat was o.k.....most people wouldn't bother. Where are you based? If in Dublin I can give you a cat box if you need one....I'm good with cats so I'd be willing to go with you to see if we could find it. Good luck with it.

Ghekko

I think ringing the local vets is enough. If it were me I wouldn't be putting up posters or mailing your info through people's letterboxes. Surely if the cat is that badly damaged the owner will take it to the vet and the vet will contact you. Otherwise rest assured the cat is fine and has another 6 or 7 lives left in it.

Dial Hard

looksee wrote:

Don't get into all this defensive silliness about cats and dogs. I have two cats, they are indoor/outdoor cats and get on perfectly well. It is of course possible that one of them could be injured by - anything, really. I would prefer that to keeping them indoors 24/7.

Thanks, looksee, I was just about to post saying I'd hate to turn this into a "Cat owners should never let their cats roam" vs "Down owners should never have their dogs off the lead" debate, they never end well.

The bye laws in my area don't require dogs to be leashed, just under their owner's effective control and before today, I would have considered that to be the case; her recall is excellent and I've seen her sniff and then ignore everything from rabbits to hedgehogs to other cats.

Obviously, I'll be adjusting that opinion based on what happened today.

irish_goat wrote:

You should check with your GP about getting some antibiotics too. Cat bites have a much higher risk of infection than a dog bite.

I was at the doctor earlier for a tetanus jab. My doctor is very anti antibiotics so didn't want to give me a preventative prescription. He wants to see me again on Wednesday to make sure there's no sign of infection and to keep it as clean as possible in the meantime. Which is a bit of a pain because the punctures are on both sides of the pad of my left thumb so I'll be washing my hands constantly, but what can you do?

Just had another check for the cat and still no sign. My sister is bringing the posters home from work so I'll do the houses then. I've been on to all the local vets too so fingers crossed I can find the owners.

My entire hand is absolutely throbbing so I just had to do what I call the codeine shuffle in front of a very bemused pharmacist when she asked what it was for.

almostbroke

Ghekko wrote: »

I think ringing the local vets is enough. If it were me I wouldn't be putting up posters or mailing your info through people's letterboxes. Surely if the cat is that badly damaged the owner will take it to the vet and the vet will contact you. Otherwise rest assured the cat is fine and has another 6 or 7 lives left in it.

It might not be someones pet.....and an injured animal is an injured animal....

Dial Hard

almostbroke wrote:

It might not be someones pet.....and an injured animal is an injured animal....

It was wearing a collar and tag so definitely a pet.

almostbroke

Dial Hard wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.

I rang the DSPCA and they were no help, they just said that if the cat was gone it was "probably" ok.

I think I'll put the posters through the letterboxes of the houses near where it happened. There are already posters up about another cat someone found that had been hit by a car last week and I suspect mine would just be passed over as people would assume they were the same ones and not actually read it.

The cat had a collar and a tag on so it's definitely someone's pet

ETA: my sister just had the good idea of ringing around all the local vets and asking them to be on the lookout for any cats that match the description being brought in with injuries from a dog, so I'm going to do that now.

Theres a website www.lostandfoundpets.ie........you could check that to see if anyones missing a cat fitting the description, or put an ad in the Found section explaining what happened......

Ms Doubtfire1

Dial Hard wrote: »

Thanks, looksee, I was just about to post saying I'd hate to turn this into a "Cat owners should never let their cats roam" vs "Down owners should never have their dogs off the lead" debate, they never end well.

The bye laws in my area don't require dogs to be leashed, just under their owner's effective control and before today, I would have considered that to be the case; her recall is excellent and I've seen her sniff and then ignore everything from rabbits to hedgehogs to other cats.

Obviously, I'll be adjusting that opinion based on what happened today.



I was at the doctor earlier for a tetanus jab. My doctor is very anti antibiotics so didn't want to give me a preventative prescription. He wants to see me again on Wednesday to make sure there's no sign of infection and to keep it as clean as possible in the meantime. Which is a bit of a pain because the punctures are on both sides of the pad of my left thumb so I'll be washing my hands constantly, but what can you do?

Just had another check for the cat and still no sign. My sister is bringing the posters home from work so I'll do the houses then. I've been on to all the local vets too so fingers crossed I can find the owners.

My entire hand is absolutely throbbing so I just had to do what I call the codeine shuffle in front of a very bemused pharmacist when she asked what it was for.

I've been bitten by a feral cat last christmas went down to the bone, deep singular puncture wound.I never used AB, but it was month before it was totally healed. You're case is different, it is open on both ends.Keep it well clean(flush it through thorough washing) and you should be fine.DO follow Doctors orders though!!!

Dial Hard

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote:

I've been bitten by a feral cat last christmas went down to the bone, deep singular puncture wound.I never used AB, but it was month before it was totally healed. You're case is different, it is open on both ends.Keep it well clean(flush it through thorough washing) and you should be fine.DO follow Doctors orders though!!!

Thanks Mrs DB. It's not a through-and-through wound, rather there's one puncture on one side of my hand and then two more on the inside, on the pad of my thumb.

I'm really hoping the bite didn't hit a nerve because I can barely move my thumb at the moment. Hopefully that's just soreness and initial swelling, though. The doctor certainly didn't seem too concerned anyway.

Serves me right, really, I've enough experience with animals to know not to go near a scared and injured one bare-handed. Just wasn't really thinking straight with the fright/shock of what happened.

loike

OP, search Facebook for your local communities page and if they have one, post a description of the cat! you never know, someone who knows the cat might see it.

Ms Doubtfire1

Dial Hard wrote: »

Thanks Mrs DB. It's not a through-and-through wound, rather there's one puncture on one side of my hand and then two more on the inside, on the pad of my thumb.

I'm really hoping the bite didn't hit a nerve because I can barely move my thumb at the moment. Hopefully that's just soreness and initial swelling, though. The doctor certainly didn't seem too concerned anyway.

Serves me right, really, I've enough experience with animals to know not to go near a scared and injured one bare-handed. Just wasn't really thinking straight with the fright/shock of what happened.

I know the feeling.the soreness is from the swelling, don't worry too much about that, will be throbbing for a few days but will subside .I'm even worse..I had caught the (than feral cat) with my bare hands and refused to let go regardless the fact that the dear feline had his canine teeth deep in my wrist lol. Blood everywhere. Mind you, the silly fool had no issue later that evening letting me shave his completely matted belly. Cats!!!

Rubberchikken

don't beat yourself up, Op, you've shown yourself to be a really decent human.
some dogs chase/catch cats, it's just their way. hopefully the cat is okay.

VonVix

Dial Hard wrote: »

Thanks Mrs DB. It's not a through-and-through wound, rather there's one puncture on one side of my hand and then two more on the inside, on the pad of my thumb.

I'm really hoping the bite didn't hit a nerve because I can barely move my thumb at the moment. Hopefully that's just soreness and initial swelling, though. The doctor certainly didn't seem too concerned anyway.

Serves me right, really, I've enough experience with animals to know not to go near a scared and injured one bare-handed. Just wasn't really thinking straight with the fright/shock of what happened.

The thing that makes cat bites more infectious than dog bites is the fact cats have needle-like teeth, so when they puncture your skin deeply, the wound essentially seals itself when the tooth exits, trapping the bacteria/saliva inside. While a dog bite is more likely to leave an open wound that can be cleaned out.

Pleaaase keep monitoring it!

girflu

If there are local children who play in the area, they usually know who owns what animal. Not suggesting you approach strange children, but maybe you could ask a parent who would ask around?

kathleen37

You do need to be very aware of your bite. I'm up to date with my tetanus, and I had an accidental nip from one of my cats. Really, it's was a small puncture wound that was treated immediately, but, within 3 days I was in the hospital on IV antibiotics. If the wound swells and the surrounding skin is hot and red, mark around the redness with pen, along with the time. This will enable you to track - if there is any infection - how quickly it is spreading.

Bad stuff happens. I'm glad your dog is ok, and that makes me think too the cat wasn't very healthy to begin with.

I hope the kitty is found and will be ok.

looksee

I agree with Kathleen - my daughter had a similar experience with a cat bite (her own cat) and she ended up with an infection that made her ill and required antibiotics. I cannot see (though I am no expert) that a tetanus jab is going to stop infection, do keep an eye on it OP.

Dial Hard

Thanks Kathleen and Looksee. Yeah, I'm keeping a very close eye on the bites as, as you've said, they're easily infected and my doc didn't seem overly concerned with that aspect of things. Fingers crossed.

deandean

My dog cornered a cat once. The cat hissed up, attacked, and escaped. Poor dog had a huge scrape mark on his face for a couple of weeks. He's a lot more careful around cats now.

tk123

deandean wrote: »

My dog cornered a cat once. The cat hissed up, attacked, and escaped. Poor dog had a huge scrape mark on his face for a couple of weeks. He's a lot more careful around cats now.

Lucy tried to sniff noses with a cat when she was a puppy... and got a SMACK in the face. Fair play to the cat - it could have scraped her but must have known she was a dumb pup!:P

She stares at cats now or stands beside Bailey all alert when he barks at them. I always clap my hands/make a noise if I see a cat up ahead etc so it can slink away unnoticed by Bailey and avoid all the barking!

Dial Hard

Dial Hard wrote:

Thanks Kathleen and Looksee. Yeah, I'm keeping a very close eye on the bites as, as you've said, they're easily infected and my doc didn't seem overly concerned with that aspect of things. Fingers crossed.

So, this morning the skin in a fairly large radius around the bites is very swollen, puffy, shiny and *extremely* painful to touch. One of the lads in the office is a nurse and he just confirmed what I already knew - time to go back to the doc for the antibiotics he really should have given me yesterday.

VonVix

Jeepers, as if you haven't been through enough already! Hope you make a quick recovery.

muddypaws

Dial Hard wrote: »

So, this morning the skin in a fairly large radius around the bites is very swollen, puffy, shiny and *extremely* painful to touch. One of the lads in the office is a nurse and he just confirmed what I already knew - time to go back to the doc for the antibiotics he really should have given me yesterday.

Oh dear. I got bitten by a dog a few years ago, unfortunately am allergic to penicillin, and the antibiotics I was given didn't do their job. So definitely go and get it sorted, I had to be hospitalised when it got badly infected, with IV antibiotics, hopefully you won't have to go through the same.

gctest50

An you were lovely

Some patients with Bartonella henselae infection experience more serious manifestations, such as neuroretinitis, Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, osteomyelitis, encephalitis, or endocarditis


http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/10/16-0115_article

Ms Doubtfire1

Dial Hard wrote: »

So, this morning the skin in a fairly large radius around the bites is very swollen, puffy, shiny and *extremely* painful to touch. One of the lads in the office is a nurse and he just confirmed what I already knew - time to go back to the doc for the antibiotics he really should have given me yesterday.

Take 'em WITH FOOD! >hate antibiotics<.
Good luck!!!

Shivi111

Fair play to OP. As a owner of indoor/ outdoor cats I think any reasonable cat owner would really appreciate your efforts here. Cats that are allowed outside (which mine are) can get hurt - okay so your dog was off lead but the cat could just as easily have wandered into a garden with a dog, perils of cat ownership. If mine was hurt and I heard all the efforts you had gone to I would be eternally grateful - as for vet bills, that's what insurance is for, I wouldn't expect or allow dog owner to contribute - accidents happen.

Keep an eye on that bite, cat bites are nasty!

Dial Hard

Shivi111 wrote:

Keep an eye on that bite, cat bites are nasty!

The bite is, unfortunately, infected so I'm on a week-long course of Augmentin to deal with that. I can't get over how sore it is too, anything even touching off it is incredibly painful. Ironically, the dog doesn't have so much as a scratch on her.

Thank you for the rest of your kind words. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the cat and hoping to god that it got home and looked after. The thought that it might be suffering somewhere is absolutely killing me. There's been no word from anywhere on it :-(

I had the dog out earlier and a cat walked right across our path. She was on the lead but she barely even glanced at it. What the hell made her go for this poor cat? The guilt is killing me.

almostbroke

Dial Hard wrote: »

The bite is, unfortunately, infected so I'm on a week-long course of Augmentin to deal with that. I can't get over how sore it is too, anything even touching off it is incredibly painful. Ironically, the dog doesn't have so much as a scratch on her.

Thank you for the rest of your kind words. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the cat and hoping to god that it got home and looked after. The thought that it might be suffering somewhere is absolutely killing me. There's been no word from anywhere on it :-(

I had the dog out earlier and a cat walked right across our path. She was on the lead but she barely even glanced at it. What the hell made her go for this poor cat? The guilt is killing me.

Hope your hand gets better soon. As you're worried about the cat, don't know if you saw my earlier suggestion to check out www.lostandfoundpets.ie to see if anyone in your area is missing a cat of that description, or you could put an ad in yourself in the Found section and explain what happened...its worth a shot and it doesn't cost anything.

the beer revolu

Dial Hard wrote: »

So, this morning the skin in a fairly large radius around the bites is very swollen, puffy, shiny and *extremely* painful to touch. One of the lads in the office is a nurse and he just confirmed what I already knew - time to go back to the doc for the antibiotics he really should have given me yesterday.

I hope you weren't charged a second consultation fee!

Dial Hard

the beer revolu wrote:

I hope you weren't charged a second consultation fee!

No, my GP is decent like that. Actually, he didn't even charge me for the tetanus jab, just the normal surgery visit fee.