Hugs! I know how that goes, and have the scratches to prove it. <g>
I've found I can often irrigate cat wounds easily if I sneak up on them while they're asleep, and the irrigation solution is at about 102oF, just a hair above cat body temp. Strategically placed washcloths soak up the used solution.
In the future, you might want to ask the vet about using an antibiotic salve on surgical wounds, especially since you know you've got lickers/chewers. One that my former vet in another state used for an anti-lick/anti-chew salve was a mixture of Bag Balm (the stuff in the green can meant for chapped cow udders) and metronidizole suspension, a wretched-tasting antibiotic approved for use on dogs and cats. Recipe was scoop a small amount (about a Tbsp) of Bag Balm into a small container. Add metronidazole suspension dropwise, stirring it in thoroughly with something like a toothpick, until the material goes from yellow to sort of milky -- my recollection is about 10 drops per Tbsp of Bag Balm. Apply twice a day with a q-tip or a clean finger. My current vet hadn't heard of it, and thought I was mildly nuts when I asked for some metronidazole after we replaced the drain in an abcess for the third time... now I notice he's using it for chewers. Anyhow, might be worth asking about, as it's dirt cheap and I've never seen an infection with it, nor picked-out stitches. If the cat will tolerate Vetwrap over it, it's a good idea... otherwise, just put down towels where he's likely to sleep.
Good luck to you all, including Liberty. Hope they're all doing much better soon!
Hope the elephant gets off your wallet, soon, too... our vet bills have run about $1500 in six weeks, so I know how it goes...
