Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

A cat can get an abscess after being bitten by other animals. Bacteria that enter through the wound are the main cause of the abscess. If you are concerned your cat has abscesses, take it to your vet for wound treatment and antibiotics. Your cat will advise you on how to care for your cat's wound and give your cat medicine. As your cat recovers, you will also need to confine your cat and monitor the wound.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Get medical attention for your cat

1. 

   Watch for signs of an abscess. The body responds to the bite by sending white blood cells to fight the bacteria. The tissue around the wound will then swell and begin to die. This condition creates a pus-filled hole of bacteria, white blood cells and dead tissue. As this cycle continues, the wound will continue to swell, which may be hard or soft. Other signs of an abscess include:
   • pain or painful signs, such as limping
   • a small, red, and warm scaly layer in the surrounding skin
   • pus or drainage from the wound
   • hair loss in the affected area
   • licking, grooming, or nibbling the wound
   • loss of appetite or weakness
   • an opening that drains pus

2. 

   
   
   Take the cat to the vet. You can treat mild abscesses for your cat at home, but most abscesses require medical treatment. When you go to the vet, your cat will be fully examined. Usually your cat will have a fever with an abscess, as her body is fighting off the infection.
   • If the abscess is open and draining, your cat can be treated without pain reliever.
   • If the abscess doesn't open, your cat may give your cat painkillers to extract the abscess.

3. 

   
   
   Ask your veterinarian about antibiotics. The doctor can take a sample of pus for culture and as an antibiotic. This method will help determine the most effective antibiotic to treat. After the purulent sample is taken, the wound abscess will be pus extracted (if it is not already draining pus and fluid), cleaned (cleaned of pus and debris) and treated with antibiotics.
   • Give your cat an antibiotic according to the doctor's instructions and finish the course. Call your doctor if you are having trouble giving your cat medication.

4. 

   
   
   Pay attention to whether to drain the abscess. Many cases of abscesses require drainage, which is tubes used to keep the wound open. These tubes will allow pus to continue to drain from the wound. If you don't drain, pus can build up and cause more problems for your cat.
   • Follow your veterinarian's instructions for monitoring the drain and any complications that may arise and know when to call your doctor.
   • Your veterinarian will remove the drain after about 3-5 days of insertion.
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Method 2 of 2: Treating a cat abscess at home

1. 

   Keep the cat in your room during recovery. Keeping your cat in a room is the best way to keep your cat safe from further harm while it waits for the wound to heal. The wound will continue to drain for a while, so there is a chance that pus from the wound will drip onto the floor and furniture. To keep the carpet and furniture from getting dirty, keep the cat in a room until the abscess heals.
   • Keep your cat in a room with an easy-to-clean surface like a bathroom or laundry room.
   • The room should be warm enough for the cat and provide enough other amenities such as food, water, a litter box and some soft blankets or towels to let the cat sleep.
   • Check your cat regularly during his confinement and be gentle with the cat to make sure it is eating and drinking well.

2. 

   Wear gloves when caring for your cat's wound. Your cat's wound will ooze pus that includes blood, bacteria, and other fluids. Do not use bare hands to care for your cat's wound. Be sure to use vinyl or latex gloves every time you examine and clean your cat's wound.

3. 

   Keep the wound clean. You can wash your cat's wound with warm water. Use a clean rag or washcloth to soak in warm water, then wipe off any pus from the wound with a washcloth. Wash the towel and continue to wash until the pus clears.
   • Wash any drainage around the wound with a clean rag or washcloth soaked in warm water.

4. 

   Carefully remove the scales from the wound. If scabs have formed on the mouth of the abscess with pus in them, you can gently remove the crust by moistening the crust with a warm, wet cloth. You do not need to touch the crust if the wound is not swollen and pus free. If you are unsure, call your doctor first.
   • To scab your cat's wound, soak a towel in warm water, then squeeze out the water and apply it to the wound. Hold the washcloth on the wound for a few minutes to soften the scabs, then gently wipe it off with the cloth. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the crust and flakes come off the wound.
   • Abscesses form within 10-14 days, so keep checking for scabs to see if the wound has begun to swell. If you notice swelling or pus, take your cat to the veterinarian.

5. 

   Ask your doctor before using hydrogen peroxide. The use of hydrogen peroxide is controversial, as studies have shown that using hydrogen peroxide to wash wounds not only causes pain, but also makes infected tissue heal longer. Ideally, you should use white water or an antiseptic solution of water and povidone iodine.
   • To be safe, ask your veterinarian to determine if you should wash your cat's wound with hydrogen peroxide.
   • If you are using hydrogen peroxide, make sure to dilute hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Soak a cotton ball or gauze in the solution to gently wipe off any pus and any debris from the edges of the wound. Do not pour the solution directly on the wound. You can do this 2-3 times a day.

6. 

   Regularly check the wound. Observe the cat's wound 2-3 times a day, making sure it's not swollen. Swelling is an indication of an infection. If the wound becomes swollen, you need to take your cat to the vet.
   • When examining your cat's wound every day, pay attention to the amount of pus that is draining. The wound had to drain less and less pus. If the wound seems to be draining more or not decreasing pus, call your veterinarian.

7. 

   Do not let the cat lick or nibble on the wound. It is important to make sure the cat does not lick any drains or nibble on the wound, as bacteria in the cat's mouth can get worse or cause an infection. If your cat seems to want to nibble on the wound or lick the drainage, take it to the vet.
   • To prevent the cat from biting and licking the wound, wear an Elizabethan necklace on the cat while you wait for the wound to heal.
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Advice

• Check your cat after each fight with other cats to see if the cat is injured and watch for signs of abscesses.
• If you notice any signs of an abscess, you should bring your cat to the veterinarian for immediate examination and antibiotic treatment. This will reduce your risk of a more serious infection.

Warning

• Fighting cats are not only at high risk of abscesses but also the spread of dangerous diseases such as feline leukemia and rabies. You should have your cat fully vaccinated to keep the cat safe and healthy.