Why you don't de-mat your cat with scissors

[Freedom]

OH NO!! Is that one of YOURS?

[columbine]

OH NO!! Is that one of YOURS?

Yes, that's Smudge's poor little behind. I thought, well, he's got a mat here, I'll just scissor it off. He squeaked and ran off, then got right back to begging for food in less than a minute, but when I looked at it, it was ugly. I had phenomenal luck in getting him into surgery the same day I called (Friday the 13th, no less), and he got through without a hitch (although he definitely thinks his pain meds taste awful!) But I have a VERY impressive vet bill (via emergency credit card) to keep me from forgetting any time soon, even if the scare it gave me ever wore off.

Love, Columbine

[krazyaboutkatz]

Poor Smudge. I'm sorry that this happened but I'm glad that you were able to get in to the vets for surgery very quickly. I hope he'll feel better soon and heal up quickly.

[Killearn Kitties]

Poor Smudge. I'll bet you got the fright of your life too.

The same thing happened to us once. Jessica had a mat that we thought we could easily snip out. We did get the mat out, but in the process gave her the tiniest nick. It really was a small nick, but seemed to open up afterwards. It was a Saturday night and entailed a call to the emergency vet. Poor Jess got several stitches.

She feels your pain, Smudge!

[columbine]

He's also going to get the Human Comb a lot more often (he'll put up with his own brush & comb, but for some reason he'll actually sit still for being combed with a plain old oversize plastic comb). I think I was slack about brushing him because it entails chasing him around the house bent over, so the Human Comb it is.

Now, to get that last dose of painkiller into him. Maybe some cheese on the syringe...

Love, Columbine

[Killearn Kitties]

Very similar to us. There was a bit down at the base of her tail that I don't think Jessica could reach when she was grooming. Jessica raised at least two litters as a feral mother, so she never came quietly! After the snip incident though, we caught her fairly regularly for a brush. Always involves a big chase and a lot of hissing and growling, but we no longer have to wrap her top half in a towel. Progress!

[Freedom]

Oh Smudge! So you didn't feel badly when it happened, you just returned begging for food? WELL! Don't let mom know, milk this for everything you can!

I am sure you feel terrible about this; I know I do when I nick any of my crew. Sounds like Smudge is going to recover more quickly than you will. No to mention that bill staring at ya.