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Abscess open

post #1 of 6
10/3/11 at 5:16pm
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Our cat got bit and we didn't know. Last week the abscess started draining. Cat is eating well and seems healthy -- just he won't leave where the abscess was alone! He keeps licking at it and now there is a gaping hole near the base of his tail.
Tried bandaging it twice. He was not pleased until he figured out how to wriggle out from the bandage (figure of eight over his back and around each hind leg so he could still go to the litter box). He went ballistic with a cone on his head -- not sure who would have the heart attack -- the cat or the people in the house!
How can we persuade him to leave the hole alone so it can heal? Thanks!
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post #2 of 6
10/3/11 at 5:56pm
Bijou pulled out the stitches 3 times when he had a lump removed from his leg. I bought a pair of babies onesies, cut an opening for his bum and it worked like a charm. He was even able to go to the bathroom with no problems.
LL
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post #3 of 6
10/3/11 at 6:22pm
Abscesses have to be kept OPEN to heal, never bandage an abscess. They must be left open to drain and heal from the inside out. Sometimes, if they close up too fast, a drain is put in.

Abscesses also require antibiotics, it's not clear if you have had him to the vet, but if not, please do get him in tomorrow, he needs antibiotics, if he is not already on them.

Hope he feels better soon.

PS If you don't know the health status of the cat who bit him and FIV test should bee done in 3 months.
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post #4 of 6
10/3/11 at 9:02pm
When my Squishy got several abscesses, I took him to the vet each time to make sure it was open properly to drain. Each time it did heal well with the aid of oral antibiotics. I also used an antibiotic ointment to keep the wound open twice daily to ensure it drained properly. It took about a month to heal.
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post #5 of 6
10/3/11 at 10:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
Abscesses have to be kept OPEN to heal, never bandage an abscess. They must be left open to drain and heal from the inside out. Sometimes, if they close up too fast, a drain is put in.

Abscesses also require antibiotics, it's not clear if you have had him to the vet, but if not, please do get him in tomorrow, he needs antibiotics, if he is not already on them.

Hope he feels better soon.

PS If you don't know the health status of the cat who bit him and FIV test should bee done in 3 months.
Quote:
Originally Posted by white cat lover View Post
When my Squishy got several abscesses, I took him to the vet each time to make sure it was open properly to drain. Each time it did heal well with the aid of oral antibiotics. I also used an antibiotic ointment to keep the wound open twice daily to ensure it drained properly. It took about a month to heal.

Please, never bandage a wound on your cat at home - no matter what it is... Bandages, if any, should be done by the vet as they need to be thoroughly cleaned inside and out to be completely clean/free of bacteria otherwise you can end up doing more harm than good by trapping it and causing infection.
Abscesses are deeper wounds and require antibiotics.
Superficial wounds can be taken care of with ointments, antibiotic/anti-inflammatory powder, or with something similar (I usually use colloidal silver, approved by my vet). But have used the other two as well, it just depends.
Please, if your cat has an abscess, take him to the vet...
Oh, and yes, instead of cones, I do use onesies like yosemite
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post #6 of 6
10/4/11 at 4:51am
I should add, as the others have said, don't bandage the wound. When Bijou had an abscess, the vet put a tube through the abscess and stitched it in place for the wound to stay open and heal from the inside out. Cats tend to heal from the outside in, i.e., the wound will heal over and keep the infection inside, thus the need to keep it open to heal properly.
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