Buzz
Cats may develop abscesses after being bitten by other animals. Bacteria entering through the wound is the primary cause of the abscess. If you're concerned that your cat may have an abscess, it's best to take them to a vet for proper treatment of the wound and antibiotics. The vet will provide guidance on how to care for the wound and administer the necessary medication. Once your cat begins to recover, you'll need to keep them confined and monitor the healing progress of the wound.
Steps
Medical Care for Your Cat
Observe the Signs of an Abscess. The body reacts to a bite by sending white blood cells to combat the bacteria. The tissue around the wound becomes swollen and begins to die. This process creates a cavity filled with pus, consisting of bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue. As this cycle continues, the wound will swell further, becoming either firm or soft. Additional signs of an abscess include:
- pain or signs of discomfort, such as limping
- a small, red, and warm scab around the skin area
- pus or fluid leaking from the wound
- hair loss around the affected area
- licking, grooming, or chewing at the wound
- loss of appetite or lethargy
- an open wound discharging pus
Take your cat to the veterinarian. While minor abscesses that drain fluid can be treated at home, most abscess cases require medical intervention. At the vet clinic, your cat will receive a full examination. Typically, cats will have a fever when they have an abscess because their body is fighting the infection.
- If the abscess is open and draining fluid, your cat may be treated without pain medication.
- If the abscess is closed, the vet may administer pain relief to drain the abscess.
Ask the veterinarian about antibiotics. The vet may take a sample of the pus for culture and sensitivity testing. This method helps determine the most effective antibiotic for treatment. After collecting the pus sample, the abscess wound will be drained (if it's not already draining), cleaned (removing pus and debris), and treated with antibiotics.
- Administer the antibiotics as prescribed by the vet and complete the full course. Contact the vet if you have trouble giving the medication to your cat.
Consider whether the abscess needs drainage. Many abscess cases require the placement of a drainage tube, which helps keep the wound open. These tubes allow pus to continue draining from the wound. Without drainage, pus may accumulate and cause additional complications for the cat.
- Follow the vet's instructions for monitoring the drainage process, any potential complications, and know when to contact the vet.
- The vet will remove the drainage tube after about 3-5 days of placement.
Treating Abscesses in Cats at Home
Keep your cat confined during recovery. The safest way to ensure your cat doesn’t harm itself while healing is to keep it in a room until the wound heals. The wound will continue to discharge fluid for some time, and pus may drip onto the floor or furniture. To prevent staining carpets and furniture, keep your cat in a designated room until the abscess is healed.
- Place your cat in a room with surfaces that are easy to clean, like a bathroom or laundry room.
- The room should be warm enough for your cat and have necessary amenities such as food, water, a litter box, and soft bedding for them to sleep on.
- Regularly check on your cat while they are confined to the room, and be gentle to ensure they are eating, drinking, and using the litter box properly.
Wear gloves when caring for a cat's wound. A cat's wound can ooze pus, blood, bacteria, and other bodily fluids. Never tend to a wound with bare hands. Always wear vinyl or latex gloves when checking and cleaning your cat's wound.
Keep the wound clean. You can clean your cat's wound with warm water. Soak a clean cloth or towel in warm water, then use it to gently wipe away any pus that has drained from the wound. Wash the cloth and continue cleaning until the pus is gone.
- Use the cloth to wipe off the discharge around the wound with warm water.
Be cautious when removing scabs from the wound. If a scab forms over an abscess that still has pus inside, you can gently remove it by moistening it with a warm, damp cloth. If the wound isn't swollen or filled with pus, you do not need to remove the scab. If you're unsure, it’s best to consult a vet first.
- To remove the scab, soak a cloth in warm water, wring it out, and place it over the wound. Hold the cloth on the wound for a few minutes to soften the scab, then gently wipe it away. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the scab loosens.
- Abscesses typically form within 10-14 days, so regularly check the scabbed area to see if the wound is starting to swell. If you notice swelling or pus, take the cat to the vet.
Consult with your vet before using hydrogen peroxide. The use of hydrogen peroxide is debated, as studies have shown that it not only causes stinging but also delays healing by infecting tissues. It's better to use clean water or an antiseptic solution made of water and povidone iodine.
- For safety, ask your vet to confirm if hydrogen peroxide is suitable for cleaning your cat's wound.
- If you decide to use hydrogen peroxide, make sure to dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio. Soak cotton balls or gauze in the solution and gently wipe away the pus and debris from the edges of the wound. Never pour the solution directly onto the wound. You can repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
Regularly monitor the wound. Check your cat's wound 2-3 times a day to ensure it isn't swelling. Swelling is a sign that the wound has become infected. If the wound is swollen, take your cat to the vet.
- When checking your cat’s wound, pay attention to the amount of pus. The wound should release progressively less pus. If it seems to be producing more pus or doesn't improve, contact your vet.
Do not allow your cat to lick or chew its wound. It is vital to ensure that your cat refrains from licking any discharge or chewing on the wound, as the bacteria in a cat's mouth could worsen the condition or cause an infection. If your cat seems to want to chew on the wound or lick the discharge, take your cat to the vet.
- To stop your cat from biting and licking the wound, it is advisable to place an Elizabethan collar on your cat while the wound heals.
Advice
- After each fight with other cats, check your cat for injuries and monitor for signs of abscesses.
- If you notice any abscess signs, immediately take your cat to the vet for antibiotics and evaluation. This will help reduce the risk of a more severe infection.
Warning
- Cats that frequently engage in fights not only face a high risk of abscesses but also contribute to the spread of dangerous diseases such as feline leukemia virus and rabies. Ensure that your cat is fully vaccinated to keep them safe and healthy.
