Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Give your cat medical care
• Method 2 of 2: Caring for an abscess in your cat's home
• Tips
• Warnings

If your cat is bitten by a cat or other animal, an abscess may develop. The bacteria that enter the wound through the bite are the cause of the abscess. If you think your cat has an abscess, take it to the vet for wound treatment and antibiotics. The vet will advise you on how to care for the wound and apply the medication. You will need to keep your cat indoors and keep a close eye on its wound.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Give your cat medical care

1. Watch for the signs of an abscess. The body responds to a bite by sending white blood cells to the wound to fight the bacteria. The tissue around the wound then swells and begins to die. This creates a cavity that fills with pus, white blood cells, and dead tissue. The process repeats and the area continues to swell. The swelling can be hard or soft. Other signs of an abscess include:
   • Pain or signs of pain, such as limping,
   • a small scab, the skin around it may be red or warm,
   • discharge of pus or fluid from the area,
   • hair loss in the area,
   • licking, grooming, or gnawing the area,
   • loss of appetite or energy,
   • an opening where pus comes out.
2. Take your cat to the vet. You can take care of a small, open abscess at home, but most abscesses require veterinary treatment. When you take the cat to the vet, it will be fully examined. The cat will often also have a fever if it has an abscess, as its body is fighting an infection.
   • If the abscess is open and draining, it is possible to treat the cat without anesthesia.
   • If the abscess is not open, the cat may need to be anesthetized to pierce the abscess.
3. Inquire about antibiotics. The vet may send in a sample of the pus for an antibiotic culture. This culture will help the vet determine the most effective antibiotics. After a sample is taken, the abscess will be punctured (if not already deflated), cleaned (all pus and debris removed), and treated with antibiotics.
   • Give your cat the antibiotics as prescribed and complete the entire course. Call the vet if you are having trouble applying the drug.
4. See if a drain is needed. Sometimes it is necessary to place a drain, these are tubes that are used to keep the wound open. These tubes help to continuously drain the pus from the wound. Otherwise, the pus can build up in the wound and cause more problems.
   • Follow the vet's advice regarding drains care, any complications that may arise from the drains, and when to call the vet.
   • Your cat's vet will remove the drains 3 to 5 days after insertion.

Method 2 of 2: Caring for an abscess in your cat's home

1. Keep your cat in one room while the abscess heals. Confining your cat's space to one room indoors is the best way to protect it from further injury while the wound heals. The wound will continue to drain for some time, so there is a possibility that pus from the wound will end up on the floor and furniture. To prevent pus from getting on your carpet and furniture, keep the cat indoors in one room until the abscess has healed.
   • Keep your cat in a room with an easy-to-clean surface, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or utility room.
   • Make sure the room is warm enough for your cat and that you put your cat's supplies in it, such as his food, drink, litter box, and some blankets or towels to sleep on.
   • Check your cat regularly during confinement to show love and make sure it is eating, drinking and relieving as normal.
2. Wear gloves when handling your cat's wound (s). Your cat's wound will leak pus, which is made up of blood, bacteria, and other biological fluids. Do not touch the wound with your bare hands. Make sure to wear vinyl or latex gloves when checking the wound.
3. Keep the wound clean. You can clean your cat's wound with plain, warm water. Take a clean cloth or washcloth and soak it in warm water. Then use the cloth to wipe any pus from the wound. Rinse the wipe and repeat the process until all visible pus is gone.
   • Also, clean the area around any drains with a cloth or washcloth soaked in warm water.
4. Remove crusts with care. If a crust forms over the opening of an abscess that still has pus in it, gently remove it by covering the area with a warm, wet washcloth. When there is no more pus or swelling, you can leave crusts on. If you are unsure, you should always check with the vet first.
   • To loosen a scab on the wound, dip a washcloth in warm water and wring it out. Then place the washcloth on the scab and leave it there for a few minutes to soften the scab. Then gently wipe the wound with the washcloth. Repeat this process two or three times until the crust is completely soft and can be wiped off the wound.
   • The formation of an abscess takes about 10 to 14 days, so keep checking a wound with a crust for swelling. If you see any swelling or pus, take the cat to the vet.
5. Ask your vet for advice before using hydrogen peroxide. The use of hydrogen peroxide is controversial, as research has shown that using it on an open wound is not only painful, but can also further damage the infected tissue, slowing recovery. Normal water or special disinfectant based on water and iodine is best.
   • To be on the safe side, check with your vet to make sure it's safe to use hydrogen peroxide on your cat's wound.
   • If you do use hydrogen peroxide, make sure to dilute it with water at a 1: 1 ratio. Then dip a piece of cotton wool or gauze into the solution and use it to wipe dirt and pus from the edges of the wound . Do not use the solution directly on the wound. You can clean the wound two to three times a day.
6. Check the wound regularly. Observe your cat's wound two or three times a day. When checking the wound, keep a close eye out for any swelling. Swelling indicates the wound is infected. Contact the vet if the wound is swollen.
   • When checking the wound, pay attention to the amount of pus coming out. There should be less pus coming out of the wound every day. If it appears that there is more or the same amount of pus coming out of the wound, you should call the vet.
7. Prevent your cat from licking or biting the wound. It is important to ensure that your cat does not lick or bite the wound or drains, as the bacteria in your cat's mouth can worsen the infection or cause a new infection. If your cat seems to be licking and biting the wounds and drains, you should contact the vet.
   • To prevent your cat from licking and biting, it may need to wear a lampshade while the wound heals.

Tips

• After a fight, always check your cat for wounds and watch for signs of abscess formation.
• If you see signs of an abscess, your cat should immediately go to the vet for an examination and antibiotics. This will prevent the possibility of a more serious infection.

Warnings

• Fighting cats are not only at higher risk of abscessing, but also of contracting dangerous illnesses, such as feline leukemia and rabies. Get your cat's vaccinations up to date to keep it safe and healthy.