CAT ABSCESSES
My cat has an abscess. Should I be concerned?
Cats are prone to developing abscesses. They experience scratches, deep bite wounds or dental problems, and bacteria get trapped in the environment under their skin during the healing process. As white blood cells move in to do their job, the area swells and becomes inflamed, causing your cat pain.
If you suspect your cat has an abscess, you should get him or her evaluated by a vet as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can help prevent further damage to your cat’s health.
Read on to learn more about abscesses, what causes them, and how to treat them.
What is an abscess?
An abscess is a “pocket of pus” located somewhere on or in the body. Abscesses usually appear quickly as a soft or firm lump beneath the skin (if not located within a cat’s deep tissues, organs or cavities), accompanied by swelling in the area. The skin around the bump can become red and inflamed or feel warm to the touch. If the abscess ruptures, it discharges an unpleasant-smelling secretion.
Abscesses are typically referred to based on where they appear on the body (e.g., a tooth abscess, a subcutaneous abscess). They may be hidden from view, under your cat’s coat, but they are commonly found in the mouth (due to dental problems), around the head, face, neck and shoulders (from fights), or in the hindquarters, base of the tail, and legs (from fleeing an attacker).
Causes
There are several scenarios that can lead to abscesses in cats. One of the most common comes from a bite injury from another animal. The bite introduces bacteria into the wound which becomes infected, resulting in an abscess. Other types of puncture wounds – from sticks or barbed wire fences – can also cause abscesses.
Dental abscesses can form when bacteria come into contact with damaged teeth or gums. Having a previous infection or wound at a particular site also increases the chance of an abscess as bacteria re-enters the area. Even some medications may predispose your cat to form abscesses.
Certain bacterial strains are common in cat abscesses, including:
Symptoms
Not all cats will display noticeable symptoms. Sometimes, by the time you find an abscess, it may already have ruptured. If so, you may notice a thick, yellowish-white, foul-smelling discharge in the area and possibly see an indentation in the skin if the abscess was deep.
If the abscess is inside the body, such as in the mouth or liver, there is the possibility of bacteria spreading into other areas of your cat, including its bloodstream.
One of the main symptoms of an abscess is a fever, which can occur even if the abscess has already ruptured. In addition, here are other signs to look for:
Diagnosis
At Evergreen Animal Clinic in Santa Maria, diagnosis always starts with gaining an understanding of your cat’s symptoms, activities and health background, particularly as it relates to any previous abscesses or infections.
Next, we’ll do a physical exam of your cat, looking for skin irritations and other symptoms of an abscess. Sometimes this is all that is required. In other cases, we may do a swab of the infected area or examine the discharge under a microscope. We may also do a blood test to determine if the infection has spread to the bloodstream.
Treatment
Abscess treatment depends on the severity of the infection, its location, and the strain of bacteria present. In most cases, the prognosis for abscesses is good, and usually they can be treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment usually follows this pattern:
Adequate draining or removal of the abscess, paired with antibiotics, pain medication, nutrition, and follow-up care should result in a complete recovery.
Preventative Measures
To avoid an abscess recurrence, you should monitor or limit your cat’s outdoor activities. This is particularly important if your cat frequently gets in fights with other cats. It’s a good idea to regularly check your cat for new injuries, skin irritations or wounds.
For dental abscesses, brushing your cat’s teeth regularly, avoiding letting your cat chew on hard toys or foods, and using dental treats are all good ways to avoid future problems.
Think your cat might have an abscess? Schedule an appointment with us, and we’d be happy to take a look.
Cats are prone to developing abscesses. They experience scratches, deep bite wounds or dental problems, and bacteria get trapped in the environment under their skin during the healing process. As white blood cells move in to do their job, the area swells and becomes inflamed, causing your cat pain.
If you suspect your cat has an abscess, you should get him or her evaluated by a vet as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can help prevent further damage to your cat’s health.
Read on to learn more about abscesses, what causes them, and how to treat them.
What is an abscess?
An abscess is a “pocket of pus” located somewhere on or in the body. Abscesses usually appear quickly as a soft or firm lump beneath the skin (if not located within a cat’s deep tissues, organs or cavities), accompanied by swelling in the area. The skin around the bump can become red and inflamed or feel warm to the touch. If the abscess ruptures, it discharges an unpleasant-smelling secretion.
Abscesses are typically referred to based on where they appear on the body (e.g., a tooth abscess, a subcutaneous abscess). They may be hidden from view, under your cat’s coat, but they are commonly found in the mouth (due to dental problems), around the head, face, neck and shoulders (from fights), or in the hindquarters, base of the tail, and legs (from fleeing an attacker).
Causes
There are several scenarios that can lead to abscesses in cats. One of the most common comes from a bite injury from another animal. The bite introduces bacteria into the wound which becomes infected, resulting in an abscess. Other types of puncture wounds – from sticks or barbed wire fences – can also cause abscesses.
Dental abscesses can form when bacteria come into contact with damaged teeth or gums. Having a previous infection or wound at a particular site also increases the chance of an abscess as bacteria re-enters the area. Even some medications may predispose your cat to form abscesses.
Certain bacterial strains are common in cat abscesses, including:
- Pus-forming bacteria like certain Streptococcus species, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Mycoplasma, Corynebacterium, Actinomyces, Nocardia and Bartonella
- Bacteria that can only live and grow in the absence of oxygen, such as Fusobacterium, Bacteroides and Clostridium
Symptoms
Not all cats will display noticeable symptoms. Sometimes, by the time you find an abscess, it may already have ruptured. If so, you may notice a thick, yellowish-white, foul-smelling discharge in the area and possibly see an indentation in the skin if the abscess was deep.
If the abscess is inside the body, such as in the mouth or liver, there is the possibility of bacteria spreading into other areas of your cat, including its bloodstream.
One of the main symptoms of an abscess is a fever, which can occur even if the abscess has already ruptured. In addition, here are other signs to look for:
- Lethargy
- Bleeding or swollen gums or face
- Signs of pain, such as pawing at the abscess or limping
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen, or inflamed skin
- Pus or blood on the skin
- Patchy or missing hair at the site of the abscess, excessive itching
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling
Diagnosis
At Evergreen Animal Clinic in Santa Maria, diagnosis always starts with gaining an understanding of your cat’s symptoms, activities and health background, particularly as it relates to any previous abscesses or infections.
Next, we’ll do a physical exam of your cat, looking for skin irritations and other symptoms of an abscess. Sometimes this is all that is required. In other cases, we may do a swab of the infected area or examine the discharge under a microscope. We may also do a blood test to determine if the infection has spread to the bloodstream.
Treatment
Abscess treatment depends on the severity of the infection, its location, and the strain of bacteria present. In most cases, the prognosis for abscesses is good, and usually they can be treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment usually follows this pattern:
- Pain medication and, in some cases, anesthesia will be used during the abscess treatment.
- The veterinarian will drain the pus from the pocket, either surgically or by draining and flushing.
- A drain may be left in place to allow the bacteria in the abscess pocket to drain fully. You will be given instructions on how to care for the drain, if applicable.
- Your vet may recommend an Elizabethan collar (i.e., a cone collar) so that your cat does not chew at or disturb the drain at the abscess site.
- If surgery was involved, your cat’s activity should be limited during the healing process.
- Antibiotics (topical or oral) may be prescribed based on the bacteria involved. These antibiotics must be used for the entire time they are prescribed to eradicate the infection.
- Pain medication may also be prescribed during the recovery period.
Adequate draining or removal of the abscess, paired with antibiotics, pain medication, nutrition, and follow-up care should result in a complete recovery.
Preventative Measures
To avoid an abscess recurrence, you should monitor or limit your cat’s outdoor activities. This is particularly important if your cat frequently gets in fights with other cats. It’s a good idea to regularly check your cat for new injuries, skin irritations or wounds.
For dental abscesses, brushing your cat’s teeth regularly, avoiding letting your cat chew on hard toys or foods, and using dental treats are all good ways to avoid future problems.
Think your cat might have an abscess? Schedule an appointment with us, and we’d be happy to take a look.
