Last Sunday Norman brought a live magpie into the conservatory and set it free… That caused a few fun and games, but I think it may also have resulted in a bit of karma for Norman.

On Friday evening, not long after publishing the last post about his painting masterpieces, I noticed he was licking his side and pulling out great lumps of fur.  I had a look and he had some sort of injury. It wasn’t hot or swollen and vet was shut, so I went into standby panic mode and made him some cookies to help him feel better (1 tin of tuna, 1 egg, some oats a bit of catnip, mix it all together, make it drier if you need to with some flour, split into teeny spoonfuls and bake for 10 mins or so). Norman loved the cookies, so I figured he was ok and his licking was cleaning the wound* and all would be good in the world.

Yesterday morning Norman was still asleep when I went on my running course. (Yes, that is the second week. Yes, I am still able to walk. Just.) It wasn’t unusual but when I came home I offered him a cookie and he walked away, so I knew something wasn’t right. I called the vet, got an appointment and we had a traumatic journey in the car.

It turns out that Norman has been bitten, either by another cat of something he was attempting to catch. He had to have the patch shaved, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and pain killers. If he keeps on attacking it he either needs a buster collar (cone of shame) or an inflatable collar. (I completely discounted the option of a baby grow that was suggested.  Can you imagine?!)

When we got home, Noram hid. Then, I can only assume, the drugs kicked in and he got high.  I offered him a cookie and his tail went all quivery. Then he climbed up his scratching post and took it in turns to stare at the ceiling and stare at me in a slightly unnerving way…

A short while later I think he must have got the munchies as he polished off all of his biscuits (they can’t be very  good, as he never, ever does that), then promptly fell asleep…

This morning he seems a lot better and has gone out to explore. Please keep your paws crossed that he keeps on getting better (and I can get the rest of the drugs  as if he has to wear a cone of shame as he wont be allowed outside, and neither of us will cope with that! :o)

* it turns out (assuming I understood the vet correctly) that it is ok for a cat to clean a wound, but if they keep on licking it, they can infect it with the bacteria on their tongue. If they bite it / rip out their fur, it suggests they are in pain and should go to the vet.