How to clean open abscess?

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bugmankeith

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I have an outdoor cat on the top of his head is a large lump, and he scratched it and pus is leaking out. I'm not able to get him to a vet right now but he will let me clean the wound. So far I've been wiping with a tissue and warm water. Is there anything in the house I can use to clean the wound and get rid of infection?
 
Mamanyt1953

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Hydrogen peroxide is safe for cats.  Not sure what else.  SOME antibiotic ointments are fine, but I can't think of which ones off the top of my head.  However, the peroxide will give you a leg up on it, and won't hurt the cat.
 
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bugmankeith

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Mamanyt1953 said:
Hydrogen peroxide is safe for cats.  Not sure what else.  SOME antibiotic ointments are fine, but I can't think of which ones off the top of my head.  However, the peroxide will give you a leg up on it, and won't hurt the cat.
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I have peroxide so I'll use that. Thanks!
 
catdaddy007

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Sorry but seriously? Ever hear the expression 'rub salt in the wound'? It means that putting salt on an open wound HURTS- so does Hydrogen Peroxide and as mentioned removes healing properties the body produces.

You can use an anti-biotic ointment like Polysporin from a drugstore. It is safe for cats and will protect the wound while it heals. I was helping looking after a cat that had an open abscess on his tummy- the owner had been putting goldenrod tincture or something dumb like that on it; all that was doing was drying up the scab material and preventing it from closing over to heal. Te cat had the abscess for about four months when I got there and we started looking after the cat, I immediately started using Polysporin and within two days the abscess had started to close up; within about two weeks it was healed and fur started growing back. 100% healed from then on. Good luck!
 
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CatDaddy007 said:
 
Sorry but seriously? Ever hear the expression 'rub salt in the wound'? It means that putting salt on an open wound HURTS- so does Hydrogen Peroxide and as mentioned removes healing properties the body produces.

You can use an anti-biotic ointment like Polysporin from a drugstore. It is safe for cats and will protect the wound while it heals. I was helping looking after a cat that had an open abscess on his tummy- the owner had been putting goldenrod tincture or something dumb like that on it; all that was doing was drying up the scab material and preventing it from closing over to heal. Te cat had the abscess for about four months when I got there and we started looking after the cat, I immediately started using Polysporin and within two days the abscess had started to close up; within about two weeks it was healed and fur started growing back. 100% healed from then on. Good luck!
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THAT"S THE STUFF!  My mind drew a complete blank!

Wonder why peroxide would hurt a cat but not us?  That's my "go to" at home, cause I don't like the ouchies, and it DOES clean out a wound.
 
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talkingpeanut

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CatDaddy007 said:
Sorry but seriously? Ever hear the expression 'rub salt in the wound'? It means that putting salt on an open wound HURTS- so does Hydrogen Peroxide and as mentioned removes healing properties the body produces.

You can use an anti-biotic ointment like Polysporin from a drugstore. It is safe for cats and will protect the wound while it heals. I was helping looking after a cat that had an open abscess on his tummy- the owner had been putting goldenrod tincture or something dumb like that on it; all that was doing was drying up the scab material and preventing it from closing over to heal. Te cat had the abscess for about four months when I got there and we started looking after the cat, I immediately started using Polysporin and within two days the abscess had started to close up; within about two weeks it was healed and fur started growing back. 100% healed from then on. Good luck!
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Putting salt in a wound does hurt. Saline solution does not.
 
pushylady

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I've used saline solution on myself a few times to soak wounds, and it didn't hurt much at all. It's an old fashioned treatment, but it does help. It's not the same as actually rubbing salt into a wound! My vets have OKed Polysporin to use on our cats, with the advice to not let them lick it all off or get it into their eyes. I've also used hydrogen peroxide on my cat's acne and I think it helped. I don't think I'd use it on a big abscess though as that would be way more sensitive. I'd stick with Polysporin.
 
catdaddy007

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talkingpeanut said:
Putting salt in a wound does hurt. Saline solution does not.
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My apologies, I was meaning that salt hurts, as someone mentioned using salt. Yes, saline is pretty neutral but won't help the abscess aside from rinsing the area. Peroxide does sting sensitive tissue, so in an open wound like an abscess it may sting and again won't help healing; it will clean it out though. When you buy peroxide solution for contact lenses, it is clearly and explicitly stated on the bottle NOT to put it directly in your eye as it will hurt and cause irritation; makes sense to me that an abscess, being exposed open tissue, would also sting. 
 
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Hi guys! I'm a lurker and finally brave enough to post for the first time.

Okay, my suggestions are as follows:

1. Clean the wound daily with a surgical scrub of some kind like Hibitane or Betadine (available at pharmacies)

2. Apply a warm compress (a bit of Epsom salts can be added, but not so much it stings), this will help draw any goopy, bacteria laden pus deeper down, and it will soften scabs and help keep the site draining.

3. Personally I wouldn't apply any topical creams until the wound has dried up and has granulated with healthy tissues well formed. Applying ointment can actually trap infection inside with this kind of wound.

I would also like to agree with not using peroxide as it actually kills new, healthy tissue. In vet clinics the only thing we really use it for is to clean blood off of skin and fur.

What ever happens I hope your kitty gets better soon!

LinZ
 
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