Cat Abscess is the term given to describe any build of pus in or around an infected area. Abscesses are often caused by the scrapes and scratches dealt during a cat fight, but any cut can potentially form into an abscess if the infection is not looked after. It is almost impossible to determine what the cause of an abscess is unless the wound is analyzed after the pus is drained.
Causes of Cat Abscesses
When a sharp object such as a claw or thistle bush penetrates a cat’s skin, some bacteria is embedded into the tissue below. A cat’s skin is able to regenerate quickly, so the top few layers of skin will heal over very fast. This makes it appear as if like the wound has completely healed. This is not actually the case, as it gets trapped in the warm and damp environment underneath the skin which is perfect for bacteria.
Once the bacteria dig in, a small swelling will start to appear a few days later. It is important to note however, that not every cut will get infected and not every infection will get trapped and create an abscess. Some of the factors that affect the chances that an abscess develops are:
- The size and depth of the scratch or cut.
- The amount of bacteria introduced to the wound.
- The type of bacteria in the wound.
- The strength of the infected cat’s immune system.
Abscesses do not have any immediate symptoms other than soreness around the infected area. If the infection is not attended to, your cat may start eating less, be less physically active or develop a high temperature. These are a direct result of high levels of toxins and chemicals released by dead tissue in your cat’s blood. If left untreated, these toxins can cause a wide variety of other cat illnesses.
Symptoms of Cat Abscesses
Abscesses are very painful. Some symptoms that may be present due to an abscess are if your cat is:
- Eating significantly less than usual.
- Not as playful or active.
- Avoiding being touched or flinches when touched.
- Warmer than usual, possibly indicating a temperature.
- Having trouble walking. (Combined with a symptom above)
It isn’t always easy to locate an abscess visually. Your cat’s fur will hide it unless the fur was removed as a result of the scratch or cut.
Cat Abscess Treatments
An abscess may randomly break and release thick, dark yellowish pus that smells terrible. If this happens, your cat will feel a lot better and may start acting normal again. Cut back the fur around the wound and wash away the leaking pus frequently. Use watered down hydrogen peroxide or some salt water to fight the infection. Do not scrub the wound or apply concentrated medications directly. Dab the wound with a warm damp cloth and wipe away the pus when it is released. Don’t try to force the pus out by squeezing the abscess. This is very painful for your cat and might increase the size of the infection.
Once you notice the abscess, monitor it for 24-48 hours. If it does not burst and discharge during this time, it should be removed properly by your veterinarian. They will lance and drain the abscess and place a small tube into the wound. This tube will stop the skin from healing over and provide more time for the pus to drain out. Your vet will give you antibiotic medication to give your cat and schedule a time for you to come back so the tube can be taken out of the wound.
If you know that your cat has just been in a cat fight, look over your cat’s body and check to see if there are any scrapes or cuts. Be sure to pay close attention to the areas around the head, neck and backside. Do not overlook small cuts because they can cause an abscess just as easily. If you find a cut or bite mark, check to see if the wound is infected by applying some pressure around it. Do this again the following day and if your cat’s reaction indicates more pain, an abscess is probably forming.
When to Contact Your Vet
If you notice any combinations of the symptoms above or find an infected wound on your cat, you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian. Don’t wait for an abscess to develop or assume that the infection will go away. Here are some of the reasons you should contact your vet:
- Your cat refuses to eat or is in obvious pain constantly.
- The abscess is the size of a golf ball or larger.
- The abscess doesn’t break or start to shrink after two days.
- The abscess breaks and isn’t going away after two days or has healed over.
If you recognize the symptoms and get your cat treated quickly, you will stop the problem from getting out of control and avoid costly medical procedures.