How To Treat An Infected Wound On A Cat

How Should I Manage The Wound After My Veterinarian Has Treated It

If your veterinarian has drained the abscess, the wound may deliberately be left open to allow for drainage. It is advisable to clean the wound twice a day for two to three days to keep it open, using cotton balls, gauze, or a washcloth and warm water. If a skin cleanser or surgical soap is necessary, your veterinarian will prescribe it. Use only products that are recommended by your veterinarian. NEVER use disinfectants containing phenols because these are toxic to cats. Never use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning a drained abscess, since this will delay healing and can worsen the problem.

Are Cat Bites Dangerous

Cat bites can be dangerous, with the level of risk depending on how deep the wound was, along with other factors.

Minor scratches or shallow bites that dont penetrate the skin often arent a cause for concern .

However, bites that puncture the skin ALWAYS warrant a doctor visit.

Thats because the infection process described above may turn very serious.

For example, infections of bones and joints may occur, especially if the bite occurred on the hand or fingera common spot for cat bites.

Also, infection may spread to the blood and then to other parts of the body, resulting in serious illness that requires hospitalization.

Symptoms of a more serious infection may include

• Loss of sensation or mobility to the affected hand/fingers.
• Red streaks extending from the bite area.
• Fever and flu-like symptoms.
• Swollen glands/lymph nodes.

These symptoms following a cat bite warrant an emergency room visit.

Individuals with a suppressed immune system, children, and the elderly are at a higher risk, but severe infections may happen to anyone.

What Should I Do If A Wound Is Bleeding

Initially attempt to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with an absorbent dressing such as dry gauze, followed by a layer of bandage material or a clean dry cloth. This will protect the wound during transport to the veterinary clinic and prevent any further contamination of the injury.

If possible, try to raise the affected area above the level of the heart. This will help reduce the flow of blood to the bleeding area.

Do not apply ointments, creams, disinfectants, or any other chemicals to the wound , as they can interfere with its eventual healing.

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What You Should Do If Your Cat Is Wounded

If you have examined your cat and notice any signs or symptoms of a fresh wound you should:

Why Does My Cat Keep Getting Abscesses In The Same Place

This may reflect inadequate treatment as discussed in the question above where the abscess never completely resolves. Alternatively, it may reflect an individual cat’s method of fighting the cat that runs away will tend to be bitten on the tail base, whereas the aggressive attacking cat will tend to be bitten on the head or forelimbs.

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Determining The Risk Of Disease Transmission

Diagnosis Of Bacterial Infection In Cats

The diagnosis of a cats bacterial infection is based on symptoms.

Health exam: Veterinarians will check your cats health through a physical examination and review his medical history and symptoms for initial diagnosis.

Additional tests: If required, they will suggest some blood tests, skin biopsies, sensitivity testing and cultures for your cat, too. These tests are performed to determine the cause of bacterial infections and diagnose the disease.

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About Dr Tammy Powell Dvm

Dr. Tammy Powell is a small animal veterinarian who earned her degree from the University of Georgia in 2010. After that, she spent several years practicing in Florida, followed by two years overseas in the United Arab Emirates. Passionate about both animals and writing, Dr. Tammy then transitioned from clinical practice to freelance writing on pet and veterinary topics. She also writes about animals in a fictional format and is working on a childrens book about cats with superpowers. Dr. Tammy lives in the West Valley of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, two stepchildren, and a beautiful rescued Himalayan cat named Luna. You can learn more about Tammy at PetCopywriter.com or TamaraSpellAuthor.com.

Are There Any Other Possible Problems Associated With Fight Wound Infections

Bite wounds are the main route of transmission of some important feline infections, most notably, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus . Blood tests should be performed after any bite wounds to diagnose these infections.

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Why Leave A Wound Open

Sometimes the location or the amount of skin loss prevents surgical closure or bandaging . Sometimes, puncture wounds or other trauma force bacteria deep into the tissues. A contaminated wound that is more than a few hours old should never be closed without surgical debridement , and in some cases this may result in more permanent damage than treating the wound medically and leaving it open to heal.

Most wounds are contaminated with bacteria, and often contain foreign material such as dirt, grit, or hair. When possible, your veterinarian will disinfect and stitch up the wound.

If the wound is open for an extended period, it will often be left to heal without surgical closure, though a drain may be placed. Most of these wounds are treated using a combination of repeated flushing, bandaging, and antibiotics . Alternatively, some wounds have tissue removed and then are closed.

Preventing A Wound Infection

You may prevent an infection by treating a fight wound immediately after it occurs.

Clean the wound with cold water to remove the cat saliva. Sterilize the wound with a disinfectant.

Then the wound should be treated with a topical ointment thatcontains antibiotics. Cover the wound with bandages, to make sure thecat doesnt lick the wound and the antibiotic cream.

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Can A Cat Die From An Abscess

While abscesses are usually treated relatively easily, a cat abscess can sometimes be life-threatening, especially if its the result of a wound inflicted by another cat. Infectious diseases such as feline leukaemia, feline immunodeficiency virus or rabies can be transmitted to your pet by another cat through bites or scratches. In the case of rabies, this can also infect humans, so its important to keep on top of cat vaccinations to minimise the risk of infection.

What To Know About Cat Bites And Infections

Cat bites are highly infectious, says Quinn. The deeper the bite, the greater the chances are that it can become infected.

Cat bites are exceptionally dangerous and prone to infection because a cats needle-like teeth can push bacteria deep into flesh, tendons and joints. The small but deep puncture wounds are hard to thoroughly clean and tend to trap bacteria inside, where it quickly spreads.

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How To Treat Fight Wounds On A Cat: 14 Steps With Pictures

Spray Cat and Dog Wound Care Pet First Aid Spray Promotes Fast Healing and Soothing Relief Topical Animal Treatment for Hot Spots, Cuts, Burns, Itching, and Other Skin Irritations. by Stat! Spray. Free 5-8 day shipping within the U.S. when you order $25.00 of eligible items sold or fulfilled by Amazon A wound can take twice as long to heal, or not heal at all, if it doesnt get enough blood. Risk factors Almost 6.5 million people in the United States have wounds that dont heal well Puncture wounds heal very quickly so there is often nothing to see or feel. The most common sites of bites are on the head, forelimbs or at the base of the tail. If cats have been bitten on a limb, the leg is usually painful and lameness is seen. It may be possible to feel heat and swelling in the area of the bite How to Treat a Wound That Wont Heal: A Holistic Treatment Plan for Non-Healing Wounds Imagine getting a flat tire on your way to work. Its a huge nuisance and an unwanted expense, so instead of pulling over and calling a roadside service, you keep driving on that flat tire

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How Do I Treat A Cat Abscess

Now that you know all the science behind what an abscess is, how it forms, and how to spot one in your cat, its time for treatment. There are things you can do at home to safely and effectively treat a cat abscess and keep it from spreading infection to other parts of the body while you wait for the vet visit.

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Signs Of Wound Infection

Very often, cat fight wounds get infected. Typical signs of infection include:

• Swelling
• Fever
• Pus

Cat saliva carries a lot of bacteria that may easily infect a bite wound. Even cat scratches may get infected.

If the injury is a puncture wound, in case of an infection you willnotice pus and a foul odor. If the infection is not a puncture wound,it may spread in the nearby tissues and cause cellulitis. This willcause pain and swelling.

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How To Care For An Injured Cat

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Have you ever come home at the end of a long day to find an injured cat? If you’ve lived with cats for any length of time, you’ll no doubt have a story or two to tell. Whether it’s a swollen face, a bleeding ear or an impressive limp, feline injuries are common even for indoor kitties. Learn the basics of cat wound care to help your cat immediately after an injury and while she’s recovering from veterinary treatment.

What Other Options Are There For Suspected Infections Or Severe Multi

There are occasions when you know it is the correct clinical decision not to give antibiotics, but you feel uneasy that you could have missed something or you are waiting for a culture result. In this situation, simple steps can help reduce the impact of the infection or even treat the infection. The use of Manuka honey as a wound dressing has become very popular. There are some data supporting its use in wounds and it is available as a veterinary licensed product. The honey contains bactericidal agents that are not affected by resistance patterns it also provides osmotic debridement of the wound surface, maintains hydration of the healthy parts of the wound and to top it all, has some analgesic effects. There is nothing to suggest that it will do any harm, although whether it actually accelerates healing is not entirely proven. In some situations, wounds affected by aggressive resistant strains of bacteria, perhaps nosocomial infections, or human hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA or MRSP , require prompt management. Antibiotic therapy will not help in this situation, but maggots can. Stage III Lucilia larvae grown in sterile conditions will eat bacteria and necrotic tissue at a cellular level and pass sterile faeces. Just three days of a maggot dressing can leave a healthy granulating wound bed with complete resolution of infection.

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What Should I Do If My Cat Or Dog Has Wounds Over The Chest Or Abdomen

If the wound is on your dog or cats chest and a sucking noise can be heard you should:

• Attempt to bandage the wound with cling film or other similar material, tightly enough to keep air from entering the wound
• Transport your pet immediately to the vet.

If there is a protruding object, such as a stick:

• DO NOT attempt to remove the object
• If the object is large, you can cut the object leaving about two inches from the body
• Then, if necessary, place a dressing around the object to control bleeding
• Take them to a vet immediately

If the abdomen is punctured and internal organs are exposed:

• do not let your dog or cat dog lick at them
• Wash the exposed organs immediately in clean, warm water if you can
• Use a warm, damp sheet to wrap your pets abdomen
• Take them to a vet urgently

Side Effects Of Antibiotics For Cat Infections

Since antibiotics inhibit cell function in some way, they are likely to cause side effects. Side effects of penicillin include rash, allergy, fever and white blood cell loss. Aminoglycoside treatment can cause the face to swell, loss of hearing, nerve and severe kidney damage. Tetracyclines and Erythromycin can cause liver or kidney disease, loss of hair and sensitivity to light. Cephalosporins are perhaps the least threatening and may cause diarrhea, allergy and gastrointestinal disease.

Another concern that pet owners have about using antibiotics is its effect on the cat’s normal and healthily functioning cells. Breaking down healthy cells could cause the feline to be more vulnerable to infection than it was before treatment. Infection that manifests after antibiotic treatment is usually caused by pathogens, which cannot be killed with antibiotics. Further, bacteria shares genetic code for resistance of some antibiotics and could spread that resistant chain to its surrounding environment, including other pets or humans.

Antibiotics are great compounds that can effectively attack bacteria to help your cat recover from an infection or illness. Correctly diagnosing the source of infection will help your vet determine which antibiotic will produce the best results and minimize harmful side effects.

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Should I Cover The Wound

Wounds do best if left uncovered, but this often means that cats may abide by their natural instinct of licking the wound. An Elizabethan collar may be fit around the cat’s neck if they will tolerate it and you can monitor them safely indoors.

When helping a stray, always proceed with caution

This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.