How to Treat Abscess in Cats

Cats can develop an abscess after being bitten by other animals. Bacteria entering through the wound are the main cause of abscesses. ^{[1] X Source of Research} If you’re concerned your cat has an abscess, take him to your veterinarian to have the wound treated and given antibiotics. Your doctor will give you advice on how to care for your cat’s wounds and give her medication. As the cat recovers, you will also need to confine the cat and monitor the wound.

Table of Contents

Medical care for cats

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Watch for signs of an abscess. The body will respond to the bite by mobilizing white blood cells to fight the bacteria. The tissue around the wound will then swell and begin to die. This condition creates a cavity filled with pus filled with bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue. ^{[2] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source} As this cycle continues, the wound will continue to swell, which can be hard or tender. Other signs of an abscess include: ^{[3] X Research Source}

pain or signs of pain, such as a limp
a small, red, and warm scab in the surrounding skin
pus or discharge from the wound
hair loss in the wound area
lick, groom, or gnaw the wound
loss of appetite or weakness
There is a hole that drains pus

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Take the cat to the vet. You can treat a mild cat abscess at home, but most abscesses require medical treatment. ^{[4] X Research Source} When visiting the vet clinic, the cat will be thoroughly examined. Usually cats will have a fever when they have an abscess, because the cat’s body is fighting the infection.

If the abscess is open and draining, the cat can be treated without pain medication.
If the abscess is not open, the doctor may give your cat pain medication to extract the abscess.

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Ask your veterinarian about antibiotics. Your doctor may take a sample of the pus for culture and an antibiotic chart. ^{[5] X Research Sources} This method will help determine the most effective antibiotic to treat. After taking a sample of pus, the abscess wound will be drained of pus (if there is no pus and fluid), cleaned (washed away pus and debris) and treated with antibiotics. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Give your cat antibiotics according to the doctor’s instructions and finish the course. Call your doctor if you are having trouble giving your cat medication. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Pay attention to whether the abscess needs to be drained. Many abscesses require the placement of drains, i.e. tubes used to keep the wound open. These tubes will help keep pus draining from the wound. Without drainage, pus can build up and cause more problems for the cat.

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions about monitoring drainage and possible complications, and know when to call your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will remove the drain after about 3-5 days of intubation. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Treating cat abscesses at home

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Confine the cat to the room during the recovery period. Confining your cat in a room is the best way to keep your cat safe from further injury while it heals. ^{[9] X Research Source} The wound will continue to drain for some time, so it is possible that pus from the wound will drip onto the floor and furniture. To keep carpets and furniture from getting dirty, keep your cat in one room until the abscess heals.

Confine your cat in a room with an easy-to-clean surface like the bathroom or laundry room.
The room must be warm enough for the cat and provide all other amenities such as food, water, litter box and some soft blankets or towels to put the cat to sleep.
Regularly check on the cat during the time it is confined to the room and be gentle with the cat to make sure it is eating and going to the toilet well.

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Wear gloves when caring for your cat’s wounds. A cat’s wound will ooze pus containing blood, bacteria, and other fluids. Do not use bare hands to care for the cat’s wound. Be sure to use vinyl or latex gloves each time you examine and clean your cat’s wound.

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Keep the wound clean. You can wash your cat’s wound with warm water. ^{[10] X Research Source} Use a clean rag or towel dipped in warm water, then wipe the pus from the wound with a clean cloth. Wash the towel and continue rinsing until the pus is clear.

Wash any drainage around the wound with a clean rag or washcloth dipped in warm water.

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Carefully remove the scab on the wound. If a scab has formed over the mouth of the abscess that still has pus inside, you can gently remove the scab by moistening the scab with a warm, wet washcloth. You do not need to touch the scab if the wound is not swollen and there is no pus. If you are unsure, you should call your doctor first.

To get rid of scabs on your cat’s wound, dip a washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and apply it to the wound. Hold the towel over the wound for a few minutes to soften the scab, then gently wipe it off with the towel. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the scab and flakes off the wound.
Abscesses form within 10-14 days, so keep checking the scab to see if the wound has begun to swell. If you notice swelling or pus, you should take your cat to the vet. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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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 stinging but also makes infected tissues take longer to heal. ^{[12] X Research Source} It’s best to use plain water or an antiseptic solution consisting of water and povidone iodine. ^{[13] X Research Source}

To be on the safe side, check with your veterinarian to determine if hydrogen peroxide should be used to clean your cat’s wounds.
If using hydrogen peroxide, be sure to dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1:1 ratio. Dip a cotton ball or gauze in the solution to gently wipe away pus and debris at the edge of the wound. Do not pour the solution directly onto the wound. You can wash like this 2-3 times a day.

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Regularly check the wound. Observe the cat’s wound 2-3 times a day, make sure the wound is not swollen. Swelling is a sign that the wound has become infected. If the wound is swollen, you need to take your cat to the vet.

When examining your cat’s wounds every day, you need to pay attention to the amount of pus that comes out. The wound should drain less and less pus. If the wound seems to be oozing more pus or not getting better, you should call your vet.

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Do not allow the cat to lick or gnaw the wound. It is important to make sure the cat does not lick the discharge or gnaw the wound, as bacteria in the cat’s mouth can become more serious or cause an infection. ^{[14] X Research Source} If your cat seems to want to nibble on the wound or lick the discharge, take your cat to the vet.

To prevent your cat from biting and licking the wound, you should wear an Elizabethan collar for your cat while the wound heals.

Advice

Check your cat after every fight with other cats to see if he’s injured and watch for signs of an abscess.
If you find signs of an abscess, you need to bring your cat to the vet for examination and antibiotic treatment. This will reduce the risk of a more serious infection.

Warning

Cats that fight often not only have a high risk of abscesses, but also spread dangerous diseases such as feline leukemia virus and rabies. You should have your cat fully vaccinated to keep it safe and healthy.

Steps

Medical care for cats

Treating cat abscesses at home

Advice

Warning

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