Abscesses are soft tissue bacterial infections usually secondary to bite wounds from other cats. They are the most common feline skin disorder and may be seen in any cat who suffers from a puncture wound. Outdoor cats, especially intact male cats, are frequently affected.  An abscess is a painful, soft, hot swelling which subsequently bursts.  Most patients have an elevated temperature, loss of appetite and diminished activity before the abscess drains.  The infection can spread to the blood stream and can result in severe and sometimes life threatening systemic disease.  This is particularly common in cats that have a compromised immune system, such as cats with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV).

Treatment involves opening the abscess to drain the pus and bacteria.  The hair is clipped and the abscess and adjacent area is prepared for surgery.  The lowest point of the abscess in opened with sterile instruments, emptied of pus and irrigated with a sterile solution. All dead tissue must be surgically removed.  This procedure usually requires sedation due to the painful nature of abscesses.  Some abscesses require extensive surgery to remove diseased tissue.

After opening and cleaning the wound, it should remain open to allow continued drainage and encourage healing from the inside out.  Warm compresses may be applied twice daily to reduce swelling, keep the wound clean, promote drainage and to encourage healing from the inside out.  Your cat will receive pain medication during abscess treatment and an antibiotic will be prescribed for at least one week.  Some abscesses may require longer treatment and sometimes bacterial culture or cytology is required to find the appropriate treatment.

Healing can be delayed if medication is not administered as directed, resistant organisms are in the wound, foreign material is in the wound or the cat’s immune system is suppressed. Additional testing and therapy will be needed for these patients.

The doctor may suggest testing your cat for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus at the time of treatment or within 3-6 months.  FIV is an immunosuppressive disease that is primarily spread by bite wounds from infected cats.  If infection occurs at the time of the bite wound the disease may not be detected on tests for several months.

Although abscesses are common in cats, with prompt treatment the prognosis is excellent. Modification of lifestyle is the best way to prevent this condition.