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Cat Abscess

Your cat may sometimes suffer from an abscess.

An abscess is an accumulation of pus, caused by some infection and can be quite painful unless treated. Your cat may suffer from a skin abscess or a tooth abscess.

Cat Abscess Causes

A cat skin abscess may occur at the site of a puncture wound. This could have been inflicted during a cat fight, or by a splinter or sharp object.

Bacteria thrives in the warm moist site of wound, leading to a collection of yellow or brown pus within 3 to 5 days.

Cat tooth abscess may be caused by a fractured or decayed tooth, which allows bacteria to enter the pulp and root of the tooth. This leads to inflammation, redness, swelling and formation of pus.

Cat Abscess Symptoms Whether it is a skin or tooth abscess, your cat will be in great pain.

If your cat becomes less active, sits hunched over for a long time, and is wary you making any physical contact with it, you might suspect a skin abscess. It may also lose appetite, and be reluctant to play or move. Your cat may feel warm to the touch (indicating fever), and also begin to limp. You may also notice redness or a soft swollen lump.

Cats with a tooth abscess may have a swollen face with excessive drooling and bad breath. Sometimes the swelling will be visible in the gums, and they may keep pawing that area of the face which has the abscessed tooth.

Cat Abscess Treatment: A cat skin abscess may rupture on its own after a few days. There will be a discharge of foul smelling thick yellow or brown pus. This will bring immediate relief to the cat. Allow as much pus to escape. Then try and bathe the wound with warm salty water, or water to which you have added some antiseptic or hydrogen peroxide. Trim away the fur around the wound and keep the area clean until the wound heals.

If the abscess does not burst on its own, your vet may have to open and drain it surgically. A surgical drain may be inserted for a couple of days to allow more pus to drain out. Besides keeping the area clean, your vet may also prescribe some antibiotics to prevent further infection.

A tooth abscess is treated the same way followed with proper cat teeth care. Your vet may drain the abscess by making a small cut on the gums, and follow it up with an antibiotic treatment. It should however be followed by an extraction of the troublesome tooth or a root canal filling to prevent the pulp from getting infected again.

Submitted on May 27, 2010