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Casey Febwick

He likes to go outside. So I set him up a warm place to go to in the garage. But he disappeared for 3 days and I was looking for him but couldn't find him. Then yesterday he came back home but he did not look good. I'm guessing by how he looks he froze to the ground because all of his fur on one side of his face is missing and he's missing a large patch on one side of his neck. He has chunks of flesh missing also. And where he sits down missing flesh and fur. His ears are surprisingly okay. But his one eye has me really concerned it's tearing up and he won't look at the light as and it's red.

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Rebel Jr
Cat, Mixed
3 years 9 months, Male
Issue details
Main concern
Eye
Holding eye closed
Sensitivity to light
Tearing
Redness
Duration
1 day(s)
Other issues
N/A
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Dr. Brunermer
Dr.Tail Vet

It sounds like your cat has been through a very difficult experience, and the symptoms you're describing are quite concerning. The missing fur and chunks of flesh could be due to frostbite, injuries from a fight, or other types of trauma. Additionally, the eye issues, such as tearing, sensitivity to light, and redness, might indicate an eye injury or infection, which requires prompt attention.

For your cat's eye, you can gently clean any discharge with a soft, damp cloth. It's important to avoid using any over-the-counter eye drops meant for humans, as these can be harmful to cats. To help with the light sensitivity, try to keep your cat in a dimly lit, quiet area to reduce discomfort.

Regarding the missing fur and flesh wounds, it's essential to keep these areas clean to prevent infection. You can gently clean the wounds with saline solution or warm water, but avoid using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can be irritating. Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as swelling, increased redness, or pus.

Given the severity of the symptoms and the potential for infection or other complications, I strongly recommend taking your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can provide the appropriate treatment, including pain relief, antibiotics if needed, and care for the eye and skin injuries.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.