Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Anyone know of a good Vet?
the cat's beeen fighting again
Tags for Forum Posts: vet
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hatch on
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Hi Lee
Wood Green animal shelter are the best in my opinion. We have used them for our pets over the years. They have been on Lordship Lane since I was a kid and still going strong.
They are a registered charity and I don't think they turn anyone away... they do accept donations however
Here's the link
If they can't help I am sure they will give you a solid recommendation.
Best of Luck
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Permalink Reply by Bee on
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Hi Lee
Wood Green Animal Shelter appear to have been a victim of their own success. They recently sent us a letter stating that they are unable to take on any new clients, and that existing clients will be required to meet certain criteria (ie that they are in receipt of benefits, live in the catchment area, and one other that I can't recall at the moment).
Good luck with the hunt for finding a vets.
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Permalink Reply by Kit on
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Try Abbey Vet on Blackstock Road. Nice people. Friendly. No product-pushing. It's part of a chain that also offers an out-of-hours emergency service in St John's Wood (if your critter is uninsured, this is seriously not cheap).
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Permalink Reply by OneWomanAndHerDog on
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Lee
We were with Blackstock Road for many years but I grew tired of the turnover of (very capable) jobbing vets and wanted a resident vet I could build a relationship with. We registered with Zasman for one visit but I found him very pushy and never went back - he also made what I felt to be scaremongering claims about the Royal Veterinary College fees (he was trying to convince me to have my cat's cardiomyopathy investigated at his surgery rather than at the RVC).
Now we take both our cat and dog to Mrs Hill in Crouch End. I have absolute confidence in her and her fees are very reasonable.
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Permalink Reply by vaneska on
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I have an RSPCA rescue cat who I got via Zasman where he (a kitten then) had been housed temporarily with his mum. On the strength of my interaction with them at that time, I would also strongly not recommend them.
v
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I've not had a problem with Zasman (> 10 years). You just need to make clear to Rodney that he's not allowed to poison your cat like he did your rugby team.
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Permalink Reply by Lee Andrews on
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Thanks for the replies - mixed-to-negative vertict about Zasman's I see.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Shea on
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We use a Vet's in Crouch End - Hill Vets - Mrs Hill is very good -
Hills Veterinary Surgery 178 Park Rd Crouch End London N8 8JT 020 8340 5453
It is worth noting that not all Cat fights, injuries need a vet... Vets are expensive and in fairness I think can pray on peoples heart strings a little to much often getting them back for unecessary visits... I think it is indicative of that service sector...
But just as example recently my Cat, Barry got into a fight and got a small cut on his head below his ear... We didnt realise until a little Abscess like bump appeared on his head... From experience I know a trip to the vet can be expensive expecially with the cost of possible 2 visits and antibiotics...
However having had cats for many years and having an especially scrappy cat (he is nuetered but that doesn't seem to matter to Barry!!) I have learnt to deal with some injuries myself...
In this case a little salt (hydrogen peroxide if you have it) warm water to clean the wound twice a day, keeping the cat indoors for those days... The abscess popped and I was able to squeeze out any infectious pus and then clean up the wound nicely... over the next two days I kept cleaning it for him and it scabbed over and healed up completely in around a week.
This method is not for everyone I understand that, and if at any point the Cat appears in real pain you must go to the VET! However, given my experience with Cats and my particularly scrappy moggie, I just wanted to offer an alternative solution if you feel the wound is not serious...
Here is a sep by step by step guide if needed:
STEPS IN TREATING A CAT ABSCESS
1. Please put on the medical gloves.
2 If you know where your cat has been clawed or bitten, begin by removing some of the fur in that area, either by using a clipper or a small pair of scissors. Just be careful, as this area may be sensitive to your cat's sense of touch. Abscesses are often more painful than a regular cut, as they are inflamed below the skin's surface.
3. If there is a scab that has formed, gently soak it with warm water and hydrogen peroxide. Pick off as much residue as your cat will allow.
4. Once any scabs have been removed, or should you see a small opening, gently squeeze the area. Be certain not to force the abscess open, gentle pressure should be enough. If some liquid and pus does come out, try to squeeze out as much as possible. This will actually relieve the pressure on your cat, and make him or her feel less pain.
5. Once the area has drained, rinse it out with a combination of water and hibitane solution, using a needle-less syringe. Do so numerous times and ensure all the pus has been removed. Hydrogen peroxide can also be applied to the surrounding area.
6. The area will need to be rinsed and cleansed every 12 hours for three to four days. Should any scabs form they will need to be soaked off each day with warm water (at least until the fourth day, then allow natural healing). Avoid placing a bandage, but allow the abscessed area to breathe openly.
7. If you are unable to squeeze the abscess open, it is best to consult a veterinarian. Forcing the area open may be unnecessary and may cause more damage than good. Eventually the skin above the abscess may burst itself (in which case follow through steps 1, 2, 4, and 5) and/or may turn black and crusty. At this point the dead skin can be picked off and should cause no pain to your cat.
8. Abscesses are infectious and often require antibiotics, so at some point a veterinary visit should be scheduled. A drain may also need to be put in place by your vet to remove any excess inflammatory fluids or pus.
It is, thus, important to remember that a cat wound and an abscess are in a sense two different injuries (one above and one below the skin's surface). Many cats may attempt to cleanse themselves and lick these such areas. To an extent this is acceptable, as long as they do not overdo it — too much licking can cause more irritation than good. It is also worth noting that illnesses, such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus can easily be transmitted during cat fights. Speak to your veterinarian regarding the chance of such an occurrence, particularly if your cat's vaccinations are not up to date.
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STEPS IN TREATING A CAT WOUND
1. Please put on medical gloves.
2. The first step in caring for your cat's wound involves assessing the depth and size of the injury. If the cut is bleeding, largely open, or should the skin be partially flapped over, a pressure bandage needs to be applied (even a towel can be used, but apply a fair amount of pressure). This will need to be done for 2-5 minutes, or until all bleeding has ceased.
3. Once the wound appears fairly dry, it is important not to allow a scab to form without first cleansing the area (an infection can form underneath). If one has begun to form already, soaking the area with warm water and hydrogen peroxide will help dissolve it. Gently, the dried skin and scabs can be peeled off. This area may be painful to your cat, so please soak the area first and take the scabs off slowly. If the wound has been there for several days already, do not attempt to take the scab off as the healing process has already begun. Simply keep the area clean. If it seems infected, a veterinary visit may be necessary.
4. Gently trimming some of the fur surrounding the wounded area can make it easier for cleaning, as well as it can help keep the area free from unnecessary dirt or infection. Using a grooming set of clippers is easiest, otherwise use a small pair of first aid scissors.
5. After the cut has been dried and the scabs have been removed, generously rinse the area with a mixture of water and hibitane solution. This is done easiest by using a needle-free syringe, with which the wound can be directly cleansed and thoroughly rinsed. Do so a number of times.
6. If your cat's cut is fairly large, or if it had been bleeding quite profusely, it is best to keep a bandage on the area for a couple of days. You may also bandage it with vet wrap, although this step is unnecessary if the wound is quite small or narrow.
7. Cleaning the wound and removing any scabs that form will need to be continued every 12 hours for at least three to four days. Be sure to always apply a fresh bandage at each time, and use a water and hibitane rinse. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used. After the first 48 to 72 hours, the wound can be left uncovered.
8. Whenever your pet is feeling unwell or is injured, be sure to keep them indoors. Moreover, if the wounded area does not seem to be healing or if it continues to bleed or becomes infected, please see a veterinarian. Often antibiotics are required for faster and trouble-free healing.
The majority of cat wounds occur in outdoor cats, or to cats who live in a multi-cat home. They are usually the result of a scratch or bite from another animal (i.e. another cat, squirrel, mole, dog, coyote, etc.). Although some fights may result in an open wound, most are probably not even noticeable from the owner's point of view — at least not right away. Often bites from smaller animals, such as from other cats, only puncture the skin's surface and do not cause a tear. Consequently, the small punctures atop the skin quickly close over and an abscess may form underneath. Abscesses are much more common, and are a little different from a regular cut in that they first form under the cat's skin (known as cellulites). The first signs in a cat with an abscess tend to be more symptomatic and less obvious. While they may have pain or tenderness in a certain area, there is no obvious wound. Loss of appetite, loss of weight, lethargy, fever, and malaise are primarily evident. Eventually, however, a lump or external abscess will form, containing pus and inflammatory fluids. If left long enough the abscess will burst, releasing the pus and then will finally allow the skin to heal over.
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A word of advice, if you are going to treat a wound it is worth noting that you should never use TCP or any other antiseptic containing phenols as these are highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Coal tar products, including shampoos, also contain phenol compounds.
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