Cat paw trapped in the tailgate clamp pocket

[Levi8than]

I really hope this is a freak accident and nobody else has this issue. I was working in the garage today and I heard what sounded like a cat fight, but it just kept going. I looked at my truck and the neighbor's cat was bouncing all over the place screaming. It looks like he was walking across my tailgate while it was up and when he stepped on the clamp pocket, his paw went in but then he couldn't get it back out again.

I was able to rescue the cat, but it wasn't without pain. He sunk the full length of his teeth into my arm while I was trying to get his leg unstuck. And I don't blame him that must have hurt. Lots of new scratches all over the paint and rolling cover in that area.

The cat is fine. Paw doesn't appear to be broken. I REALLY hope he learned not to do that and it doesn't happen again. But in case he didn't (and I really don't want any other cat to have to go through this), I looked at the pockets, I couldn't figure out a way to lock the plastic covers shut. Does anybody have an idea?

Posting a picture of the clamp pocket. I doubt you want to see my bloody arm.

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[rdr854]

I really hope this is a freak accident and nobody else has this issue. I was working in the garage today and I heard what sounded like a cat fight, but it just kept going. I looked at my truck and the neighbor's cat was bouncing all over the place screaming. It looks like he was walking across my tailgate while it was up and when he stepped on the clamp pocket, his paw went in but then he couldn't get it back out again.

I was able to rescue the cat, but it wasn't without pain. He sunk the full length of his teeth into my arm while I was trying to get his leg unstuck. And I don't blame him that must have hurt. Lots of new scratches all over the paint and rolling cover in that area.

The cat is fine. Paw doesn't appear to be broken. I REALLY hope he learned not to do that and it doesn't happen again. But in case he didn't (and I really don't want any other cat to have to go through this), I looked at the pockets, I couldn't figure out a way to lock the plastic covers shut. Does anybody have an idea?

Posting a picture of the clamp pocket. I doubt you want to see my bloody arm.

Hope you are better. Having just been injured by a cat myself, I am passing on some info from my doctor. Bites and scratches from cats can cause serious infection - which can then cause sepsis. Doctor said that if bitten to seek medical treatment promptly. I did not, became infected and got chomped on by the doc.

 

[tls]

A cat bite deep enough to draw blood is serious. It's not unusual to need hospitalization for IV antibiotics. Get it looked at quickly!

Next time you need to rescue a cat in a situation where it might bite you, I recommend welding gloves, if you own any, or thick leather gloves of some other kind if not. A cat that thinks it's fighting for its life can easily bite right through fabric work gloves.

The cat is lucky you found it when you did. Like other animals that size, if they really think they're trapped and might die, they'll chew their own feet off to escape. Bad scene all around.

 

[Ricks Lightning]

Had a similar bite when trying to rescue a squirrel. But only got my fingers.

buy some black gorilla gaffers / duct tape and just cover the pockets. The tape is thick mil and very sticky. Should do the trick.
Rick

 

[Hank42]

I really hope this is a freak accident and nobody else has this issue. I was working in the garage today and I heard what sounded like a cat fight, but it just kept going. I looked at my truck and the neighbor's cat was bouncing all over the place screaming. It looks like he was walking across my tailgate while it was up and when he stepped on the clamp pocket, his paw went in but then he couldn't get it back out again.

I was able to rescue the cat, but it wasn't without pain. He sunk the full length of his teeth into my arm while I was trying to get his leg unstuck. And I don't blame him that must have hurt. Lots of new scratches all over the paint and rolling cover in that area.

The cat is fine. Paw doesn't appear to be broken. I REALLY hope he learned not to do that and it doesn't happen again. But in case he didn't (and I really don't want any other cat to have to go through this), I looked at the pockets, I couldn't figure out a way to lock the plastic covers shut. Does anybody have an idea?

Posting a picture of the clamp pocket. I doubt you want to see my bloody arm.

Few options..
1. Piece of heavy duty black duct tape.. Not ideal, I know.
2. A thin small black coarse head screw, maybe a drywall screw or thinner - hand screw it in the corner opposite the hinge. It'll keep the flap shut without damage and when you need to use the pocket, just twist it out.

 

[chl]

This is why cats NEED 9 lives, and why curiosity will kill them anyway.
Reminds me of when my older sister was in high school, a straight A student, etc.
but one day she stuck her finger into a test tube in chemistry class and couldn't get it out.
They had to cut it ( the glass not the finger ) to get it out.
The old chemistry teacher said it was the first time in his 30 years of teaching that anyone had had a finger stuck in a test tube! And probably the last.

 

[Lytning]

I hope you are doing well and getting the bite taken care of!

What an interesting story. As they say, truth is stranger than fiction. How could the proud designer of the tailgate pocket cover ever imagine it being a leg trap for cats? I don't think I could trap a cat if I intentionally set out to do so.

 

[Levi8than]

Thanks for sharing this concern. I did my due diligence. The cat's rabies is current. I got a tetanus booster and oral antibiotics. If after 48 hours there's a fever, lines, or increased redness, I get to go back.

Hope you are better. Having just been injured by a cat myself, I am passing on some info from my doctor. Bites and scratches from cats can cause serious infection - which can then cause sepsis. Doctor said that if bitten to seek medical treatment promptly. I did not, became infected and got chomped on by the doc.

 

[rdr854]

Thanks for sharing this concern. I did my due diligence. The cat's rabies is current. I got a tetanus booster and oral antibiotics. If after 48 hours there's a fever, lines, or increased redness, I get to go back.

I went through the exact same thing. Amoxicillin is so much fun. Hopefully, everything will go well and you don't have to go back!!

 

[Ajzride]

I REALLY hope he learned not to do that and it doesn't happen again.

A cat will never sit on a hot stove twice... it will never sit on a cold stove again either.

 

[thunderbayterry]

I really hope this is a freak accident and nobody else has this issue. I was working in the garage today and I heard what sounded like a cat fight, but it just kept going. I looked at my truck and the neighbor's cat was bouncing all over the place screaming. It looks like he was walking across my tailgate while it was up and when he stepped on the clamp pocket, his paw went in but then he couldn't get it back out again.

I was able to rescue the cat, but it wasn't without pain. He sunk the full length of his teeth into my arm while I was trying to get his leg unstuck. And I don't blame him that must have hurt. Lots of new scratches all over the paint and rolling cover in that area.

The cat is fine. Paw doesn't appear to be broken. I REALLY hope he learned not to do that and it doesn't happen again. But in case he didn't (and I really don't want any other cat to have to go through this), I looked at the pockets, I couldn't figure out a way to lock the plastic covers shut. Does anybody have an idea?

Posting a picture of the clamp pocket. I doubt you want to see my bloody arm.

Yikes! One-in-a-million chance. Cats are usually so SURE FOOTED.