I read each page twice. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Cross contamination is dangerous to both you and your pet. From my experience, if an infection involves the lymphatic system, and is very deep, an aggressive approach is often needed. The next abscess I encountered was on my 1 year old kitten. Use dry cotton wool, gauze, or absorbent paper tissue to wipe away the pus. My cat has an abscess on her lower jaw. Your cat's wound should be draining less pus with each passing day. Keep your cat indoors for the duration of the treatment. My cat had an abscess at the base of his tail. Thayer, Vicki, DVM, DABVP. Usually, they will not be a huge problem except for the cosmetic and gross factor and the cat will rupture the abscess and they will drain and then slowly heal. Stepping on a nail, being punctured by a fence, or sustaining a non-feline, wildlife-related bite (such as from an opossum or raccoon) are just not common scenarios for these wounds. It sounds like the cat had an abscess which has burst open, the nasty smell is the dying tissue,bacteria & blood cells from inside the infected abscess. Call your vet with any questions about the healing process. Most cats do not need extensive pain management. If your vet prescribes an Elizabethan collar, please use it. The last thing that let go on me when the cat jumped up was an infected anal gland. The pus had been drained off, leaving a hole behind. Causes of Abscess in Cats Abscess is generally caused by injury or infection of the gums or skin. If you do use hydrogen peroxide, make sure that you dilute it with water on a one to one basis. If you obtain a culture and have it analyzed by your vet, your vet could very well narrow down your treatment options. Depending on how long the swelling has been present, the skin involved may be very tender or very fragile. Pay attention if your cat is excessively licking a paw, the tail base, etc. What do I do? Give her softer foods to eat, such as wet food or cooked fish/chicken. They occur most frequently in the indoor/outdoor cat population because they are the result of cat fights. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,070 times. Easy to understand and follow instructions. Be warned, abscesses can burst and drain easily, and will release foul smelling ooze, so latex gloves are a good idea! The bacteria that gets into a wound from a bite is what causes the abscess. Repeat this process two to three times until the crust or scab softens and slides off the wound. X Cat abscesses can be very dangerous if not noticed and treated or they lead to sepsis of system wide infection. The clip shows a doctor draining the cyst. Once an abscess has formed, it won't just 'disappear'. Excessive drainage or pus coming from the abscess. If the infection gets into the bloodstream, the cat could become septic and die. Chances are you will find evidence of an abscess. Cat anal gland abscess Also known as a perianal abscess, a cat anal gland abscess can be very uncomfortable for the feline. Loss of appetite. With time, the infection continues to grow, increases in pressure, and erodes the overlying skin. I would keep the upper layer moist and open so that the lower layer can heal, and to make sure all the pus is out. How to Treat an Abscess at Home. What could this be? Your veterinarian will take the cat’s temperature and examine the abscessed area. Your vet will collect a sample from your cat's wound to determine the most effective antibiotic to use, then clean away all of the pus and debris. When cats fight, they can deliver a deep bite as well as digging their claws deep into the skin and muscle of their opponent. All abscesses need treatment since even the local infection can cause significant problems. If your cat has suffered a more complicated abscess, you might get frustrated and be making multiple trips to the vet. she has been under the vet since it happened. I love feline abscesses. Hold it there for a few minutes to help soften up the crust or scab. My cat recently had her abscess burst - we noticed it in the morning (2 days ago) and began cleaning the wound with a solution of salt water (as suggested by friends of mine who work with animals). ", "It encouraged me that I was doing the right thing for kitty.". This will reduce the likelihood of a more serious infection. Last Updated: September 6, 2019 Licking excessively. One of the cats I feed showed up the other day with a wound on the back of his neck. The "knot" you are feeling is most likely an abscess. As your cat recovers, you will also need to keep him confined and watch the wound closely. My cat has a wound on the inside of his abdomen. Pockets of infection may develop despite the initial treatment. If you think that your cat may have an abscess, take your cat to a veterinarian for wound care and antibiotics. Approved. Weir, Malcolm, DVM, MPH, and Robin Downing, DVM, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CRPP. If the abscess has not yet ruptured, the cat will most likely be feverish which means you will see listlessness and appetite loss. Other vets may have different advice though. Cats often develop abscesses but there are several different reasons for why one of these swellings may appear. “Abscesses in Cats.” VCA Hospitals. This is something cats just “do”, which I did not know until this whole ordeal occurred!) Do not use this solution directly on the wound. Once your vet gives you the medication, administer it to your cat until you finish the medicine completely. Skin abscesses are generally attributed to fighting activity, but may occur as a result of another form of injury. Other cats. Being a long-haired cat, I was not, "Thanks for this article, it helped me a lot since my cat had a bump and we didn't know what it was, my daughter. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Try to keep it on the wound for a minute or two at a time. My cat has a large abscess wound from a cat bite, base of the tail. Treating an abscess sooner than later usually means a better outcome for your cat’s health and your wallet. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Treat-an-Abscess-on-a-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-an-Abscess-on-a-Cat-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Treat-an-Abscess-on-a-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/aid6942045-v4-728px-Treat-an-Abscess-on-a-Cat-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"