An abscess is a lump of pus that forms under the animal's skin as a result of an infected wound or bite. Some abscesses are deeper and appear on organs in response to an illness. In any case, it is important to take this type of condition seriously, as an abscess can degenerate and lead to serious complications. Discover the characteristics of this kind of wound and our advice for treating it.
What is an abscess?
An abscess is a ball of pus that forms under the skin of the cat. This ball is more or less large depending on the infection. This infection is the result of an untreated or poorly treated injury. In fact, after the injury, the bacteria develop under the skin at the level of the wound and form a heap of pus in the space of a few days, usually two to three days. Often the abscess is painful, even very painful for the cat.
What are the possible causes of an abscess?
There are two types of abscesses: superficial abscesses and deep abscesses.
A superficial abscess is most often due to an ill-treated and infected wound. This wound can be very small, like a simple bite, or more important, like a cut or a bite. Bacteria grow to form an abscess due to the soiling of the wound, the cause of the injury (sick animal or infectious element) and also the fact that the cat can lick it repeatedly. This type of abscess is usually visible on the surface, or at least noticeable by touch.
A deep abscess forms on an organ, such as the lungs, intestines, stomach and even the liver. They are generally invisible because they are internal. They are the consequence of diseases, such as cancers or occlusions, and are only diagnosed by additional examinations, in particular ultrasounds or blood tests.
The abscess can quickly degenerate and lead to serious complications. It is therefore important to do the right thing and consult the veterinarian immediately.
What are the symptoms of an abscess?
Here are the symptoms of an abscess:
On palpation, you feel a ball more or less large, more or less soft and generally hot under the skin of the animal.
Your cat will tend to moan or react when you touch it, as a reaction to the pain it causes.
The animal may have a sore or bite marks.
The cat has a fever and may seem tired.
The affected area is stripped of its hair and the skin is gradually damaged. The epidermis can even become necrotic in the absence of care.
If left untreated, the abscess may develop. Pus is released and the wound usually smells very bad.
What diagnosis for an abscess?
If in doubt or if you feel a lump to the touch, consult the veterinarian immediately. The specialist will examine the cat and palpate the infected area to assess the stage of development of the abscess. This will allow him to prescribe the care and treatment necessary to treat him.
How to treat an abscess?
The treatment of the abscess and the response to it will vary according to its degree of evolution.
A recent abscess
A recent abscess triggers the first symptoms of hot, swollen, inflamed skin, with a feverish, tired and excessively licking cat on the affected area.
In this case, the cat can be placed on antibiotic treatment and anti-inflammatory drugs. This is often enough to absorb the abscess and stop the infection.
An old abscess
The old abscess is usually very painful, visible and full of pus. It may give off a foul odor.
To treat it, the veterinarian cuts the pocket of pus with a scalpel. He empties it, cures it, disinfects it and cleans it before closing the wound. The animal can be asleep or not and a collar is installed to prevent it from licking while the wound heals. Care is often necessary for several days to eliminate all traces of infection.
A pierced abscess
An untreated abscess tends to infect the skin around it. This becomes necrotic and the pocket is pierced, releasing the pus.
The veterinarian cleans the wound, removes the necrotic skin and disinfects the abscess before stitching up the incision. It is then important to ensure that it heals well and to disinfect the wound regularly to prevent bacteria from entering it again.
Sepsis
Some untreated or poorly treated abscesses can sometimes infect the entire organism of the cat. Bacteria grow in the blood and spread, reaching all organs. It’s sepsis. The animal then develops many serious disorders, some of which can lead to its death.
It is necessary to consult the veterinarian urgently so that he places the animal under appropriate treatments.
The right gestures to adopt
It is important to prevent the cat from licking its abscess so that it does not get infected. Make sure to keep your pet's vaccinations up to date to avoid certain diseases and protect your tomcat as well as possible from attacks by other animals.
If you notice an abscess, you can place a clean cloth soaked in antiseptic on the wound. Do not touch it anymore and go to the veterinarian as soon as possible to perform the right care.