Will A Cat Abscess Heal On Its Own
Lancing an abscess on a cat
Left untreated, some abscesses will burst and heal naturally. Unfortunately, some cases will develop serious consequences such as pyothorax , septic arthritis , and tissue necrosis . Either way, your cat would be in significant pain during this time so veterinary advice is always recommended. If you think your cat may have an abscess, receive expert advice on how to treat it at Animal Trust. Book a free consultation today. How To Recognize An AbscessAn abscess can be hard to see in all that fur. Plus, since cats heal so quickly, you may never see a puncture wound in the first place.; Its times like this we wish our feline friends could talk and simply tell us whats wrong and where it hurts.; Fortunately your cat has their own languageand theyll tell you they have an abscess in their own way. Heres a few signs your cat is suffering from an abscess:
Cat bites most commonly occur on the head, forelimbs, or at the base of the tail. If you cant seem to find an abscess, these are good places to start looking.; Any combination of these symptoms can point to an abscess. But as always, its safest to make an appointment with your veterinarian to confirm the cause of your kittys discomfort. How Do Cats Get AbscessesAfter a cat fight, the bacteria that was introduced under the skin starts to proliferate. The body tries to stop the spread of the infection by sending in white blood cells to fight the bacteria. If the white cells cant resolve the infection, the body forms a capsule, walling off the infected area. This results in an accumulation of purulent material. This only takes a few days to occur. Abscesses tend to present as a soft to firm, warm and painful swelling on the body. Cats most commonly develop abscesses on the face, neck, legs, and tail regions. The abscesses can be hard to find in some cases and owners notice their cat is lethargic, not eating well, hiding, and may be limping. Occasionally the abscess will rupture at home and you will notice a foul-smelling discharge or sticky material in the fur. Also Check: How To Find A Hiding Cat Causes Of Abscess In CatsAbscess is generally caused by injury or infection of the gums or skin. Dental abscesses are typically caused by tooth fracture, damage, or decay. Skin abscesses are generally attributed to fighting activity, but may occur as a result of another form of injury.; Male cats have a higher chance of suffering from abscesses due to their aggressive personalities and tendencies to fight. Indoor cats have a decreased risk of developing abscess compared to outdoor cats for the same reason. Young cats, as well as intact cats and those that have developed abscess in the past, also have a higher risk for forming abscesses. Should I Apply Any Medications To The WoundNo. You should not apply any medications to the wound or into the draining areas unless recommended by your veterinarian. To avoid irritation to the intact areas of skin under the drain edges, a light layer of Vaseline or triple antibiotic ointment can be applied to protect the skin. The site where the drain exits should be cleaned daily with chlorhexidine or another appropriate cleanser to maintain drainage. Your veterinarian will provide you with specific instructions for cleaning and ointment application. Recommended Reading: How Old Is 10 Years In Cat Years What To Expect At The VetIf your cat comes home war-torn, and theyve clearly been in a fight, a vet trip can stop an abscess from happening in the first place. The right antibiotics given within 24 hours can eradicate potential infections. However, if its been a few days since the fight, its more likely an abscess will form.3 If youre going to the vet for an already-formed abscess, here is what you can expect from your visit:
And thats it! The worst of it is over, and you and your cat can return to the safety of home. Youll both be glad its under control and no longer posing a threat to your cats health.; How To Prevent Cat AbscessesRegular dental care is key to helping prevent dental abscesses from forming. Some cats have more problems than others with dental disease but keeping their teeth clean can help prevent abscesses. Keeping cats indoors will help prevent bite wound abscesses. This isn’t always possible of course but a cat can’t get a bite wound without another animal being around so it is the best way to prevent them. Recommended Reading: What Age Do Female Cats Go Into Heat Treatment Of An AbscessBy the time an abscess is obvious, a course of antibiotics is required to settle the infection. Most vets use a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against the staphylococci bugs found on the skins surface. Rarely, the abscess fails to respond, in which case a sample of pus is cultured to find out exactly which bacteria are present, and which antibiotic will kill them. This video shows veterinarian Dr. Meredith Kennedy explaining abscesses and treatment on Rocky, a female Labrador: An important part of treatment is to:
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October 2022
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