Abcess

My 7 month old male spayed cat developed a rather large abcess to the right of his tail on his little butt about 2 days ago. I made an appointment to bring him to my vet but unfortunatly it couldnt be until tomorrow at 1pm.
I have been using a heating pad wrapped in a towel for the past few days, placing it against the abcess for about 15 minutes at a time several times a day. It opened yesterday and I've been using a warm wet washcloth since then, instead of the heating pad. I'm just worried because tonight the hole in it is HUGE, like 1/2 inch! It smells awful but I've read thats normal.
I'm worried that he will develop some other problems from it, though besides a bit of a limp and unhappiness when I wash it, he doesnt seem to be much bothered by it. Is there anything else I should be doing for Jack until our appointment tomorrow?
He is up to date on all of his shots and spends time in and outdoors. (He hasn't been allowed out since I found the abcess but will be allowed out again when he is fully healed)

Thanks,

Sarah and Jack

You have done and are doing the right thing. A warm compress pressed across the top and then a gentle squeeze to get the gunk flowing, was the right call. Yes, it smells nasty, it is the infection and bacteria that you smell. Keeping it open is best, but if you have antibiotic cream to put over it, then please do that. If it is neosporin, don't use a lot of it, because the stuff is toxic if swallowed in large amounts.

You are to be commended, most cat owners don't have the gumption to mess with abscesses, but they need to be opened and draining, or the infection goes deep inside. If you can clip the hair around it away from it, that will help as well. The vet will probably be putting your cat on a round of antibiotics.

Ok, thanks very much. I will clip away the hair and put the ointment on it, probably bacitracin (sp) I feel so bad for my poor little guy though he runs away whenever I come near him with a towel, lol.

thanks!!

Sarah and Jack