It is common for cats to develop abscesses, and it’s not abnormal for them to go unnoticed until the abscess ruptures or other symptoms arise. Knowing what signs to look out for is an important part of keeping your feline friend happy and healthy.
What is an Abscess?
An abscess is an infected pocket filled with pus (a thick fluid full of white blood cells, bacteria, etc.) and is a result of your cat’s immune response. Abscesses can be found anywhere in your furry friend’s body and can be bothersome at any size.
Abscesses usually appear as a swollen area under your cat’s skin or inside their mouth, which is most common. If you notice something abnormal in your pet's mouth or feel a lump when petting your cat, call your local urgent care vet or emergency vet and have your cat seen. However, it is also possible for them to go unseen inside your cat's body. So if you notice any of the symptoms below, make sure to bring your kitty to the urgent care vet or emergency vet.
Treatment
Your urgent care vet or emergency vet will do an exam at your cat's appointment, and depending on the type of abscess your cat has, antibiotics and other medications will most likely be prescribed. If it is a dental abscess, then a tooth extraction may be necessary, along with a thorough tooth cleaning. For extensive abscesses, surgery may be recommended to drain the infected area or remove the abscess if it is internal. Your urgent care vet or emergency vet will go over all of the treatment options at the time of your appointment.
Here are the signs to watch out for:
Localized swelling
Foul smell
Oozing from a swelling
Lethargy
Fever
Lack of appetite
Bad breath
There are many different types of abscesses, so it can be hard to prevent them as an owner. As your urgent care vet and emergency vet, we recommend regular teething cleaning and dental care to help decrease the chances of an abscess in your cat’s mouth, and keeping them indoors will reduce the chances of an abscess from a bite wound.
Besides that, regular health checkups are the best way to catch any type of ailment in its early stages. If you believe that your cat may be sick or have some kind of abscess, don’t hesitate to give us a call and bring your cat in to be seen. As your local urgent care vet and emergency vet, we are here to help your pets stay healthy.
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