THE BITE WOUND ABSCESS

• A fluid filled swelling
  If the abscess has not yet ruptured, the cat will most likely be feverish which means you will see listlessness and appetite loss. Depending on how long the swelling has been present, the skin involved may be very tender or very fragile. If you looks closely a small scab from the tooth mark that caused the abscess may still be visible on the surface of the swelling.

The bite mark may hard to see but a fluid-filled lump could be easily felt.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

• A smelly, draining sore
  The fluid pocket will eventually rupture and release foul smelling pus. The fever may break once the rotten tissue is able to drain. You may not see the sore but you probably will smell it.

The bite wound abscess was hidden in this cat's armpit area
but the smell of the infection was obvious.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

• A wound that is not healing
  Some cats will lick the fur away from the wound making the area more visible. At this point, it is likely to look raw and may no longer be actively draining pus. Sometimes the overlying skin is especially fragile and simply tears away leaving a large raw area.

This abscess had been present so long that the overlying tissue
was sloughing off leaving a large open area.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

• A tender area
  Sometimes the wound is buried in the fur so deeply that it is not apparent. You may only find a tender area and possibly notice the odor characteristic of deep infection.

This patient’s bite wound abscess (the small red puncture wound on it’s hip)
would not be visible without shaving the fur away from the area.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

Common areas for bite wound abscesses include the facial cheeks, the legs, and the base of the tail. 
These are the areas where fighting cats tend to bite one another.

TREATMENT

• If the abscess has not ruptured, it will need to be lanced. Once the abscess is open, it will need to be flushed clean of infected debris. If the abscess is large or especially painful, sedation may be required to accomplish this.
• Older abscesses may have enough devitalized overlying tissue to require surgical trimming and stitches. Some abscesses are large enough to require an indwelling rubber drain to assist with removal of the pus. You may have to flush the drain with disinfectant at home.
• The cat will very likely need antibiotics at home. If so, you will need to administer either pills or liquid medication (notify your veterinarian if you have a preference). Alternatively, there is an injectable antibiotic (Convenia®) which lasts 2 weeks which may be given in the office, eliminating the need for oral medication at home.  Your veterinarian will likely recommend one of these treatments in addition to cleaning and flushing out the wound.
• Warm compresses are helpful for the first few days following discharge. The heat helps liquify diseased tissues so that they can drain. To hot pack the area use a warm (not hot) washcloth applied to the wound for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day as directed by your pet's doctor.
  

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS

If your cat has not been vaccinated for rabies, it is especially important to make sure this vaccine is current. Rabies is transmitted by bite wounds and since there is no effective treatment for either animals or humans, it is important to consider this simple prevention.

Be sure you understand how to give medication, perform hot packing, and manage rubber drains if your pet has them. Most abscesses heal over the course of a week, though larger abscesses can take longer. If your cat’s abscess is not healed in one week, be sure to notify your veterinarian.

Page last updated: 11/19/2020