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How to care for my cat's open leg wound when I can't afford a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 10 months old

My cat is injured, probably because of fights on the street. My father and I noticed that he was limping so we decided to look, we found an open wound on his leg, we did a bandage, but it seems to be serious and at the moment we do not have the money to take him to the vet. I wanted to ask for at least guidance on how to care for and treat the wound. Thank you in advance.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 28th, 2017

I am sorry this happened to your cat. This appears to be a very serious injury. Those are tendons showing. He should get antibiotics and this injury should be stitched up. If there is any way you can get him to a vet that is really the best option. I am not sure what products you have available for use in Brazil so I am not sure how to help you. I will try my best. If you can get Betadine solution I would make it into a dilution that looks like weak iced tea (light to medium brown). Do not use it straight. If the cat will let you I would soak that injury in that solution for 3-5 minutes a couple times per day. Discard the solution after each use and make a new solution. Do not re-use the same solution. If the cat won't let you soak the leg then you can just flush/wash the injury with that dilute solution. After that, dry the injury thoroughly, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and then bandage it (not too tightly). Keep doing that until it is healed. It may take weeks. If you can keep him indoors during this time that would be best. Again, a vet visit is the best option in this case.

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