Learn the important signs and symptoms of abscesses in your feline friend!
Abscesses are not uncommon in cats, but they’re not something you want to be left untreated or go unnoticed because they’re quite painful for cats. There are many causes for abscesses, and knowing what to look for and how to treat them is crucial to keeping your cat healthy and happy.
As a cat owner, there’s a good chance you’ll run into an abscess on your cat at one point or another. Venture into more detail about cat abscesses with The Vet Set in today’s post.
Understanding Cat Abscesses
What is an abscess? A cat abscess is typically an infected pocket that is filled with bacteria and pus and builds as a response to an infection. Abscesses can be found throughout a cat’s body — from their mouth to their paw — and can grow to be very large where they may rupture, or can be small and undetected.
Common Signs Of A Cat Abscess
Many times cat owners are able to identify abscesses in their cats because they come across them as they pet them, but sometimes it isn’t always so obvious. Below are common signs that your cat may have an abscess.
- Swelling in one area
- Fever
- Bad breathe
- Oozing pus from the abscess site
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
Where Do Abscesses Occur?
Abscesses can be in any part of a cat, and generally appear under the skin on the body or in their mouth and gums. Abscesses may appear tumor-like, and if they go untreated and it’s allowed to swell, it may break open and ooze pus. This is why cats often have a foul smell when they have an abscess.
Abscesses in the mouth cause bad breath and may play a role in your cat not wanting to eat because the abscess is causing a great deal of pain.
What Causes Cat Abscesses?
Abscesses are an infection and can pop up just about anywhere in a cat. Common bacteria that cause abscesses include:
- E.coli
- Streptococcus
- Pseudomonas
- Pasteurella multocida
- Mycoplasma
- Corynebacterium
- Bartonella
- Fusobacterium
Three Common Types Of Abscesses
While abscesses can show up in a variety of places, there are a few types of abscesses that cats are more prone to.
Dental Abscesses – Dental abscesses are found within the mouth and gums of a cat and are typically caused by dead and diseased teeth. Bacteria will flood the surface of the tooth and gums, becoming inflamed and swollen and often leading to feline gingivitis. If the bacteria isn’t removed, it will continue to stick and grow, resulting in an abscess.
Dental abscesses can be difficult for owners to identify because you generally can’t feel them. It would only be detected if your cat begins to have foul breath or stops eating that may indicate an infection.
Internal Abscesses – Internal abscesses are less common than dental and wound abscesses, but can appear as an infection to internal organs, disease, or foreign objects. Identifying internal abscesses is extremely difficult which is why routine pet wellness exams at The Vet Set is so crucial to detecting abscesses early on so they don’t become more costly or fatal.
Wound Abscesses – Wound abscesses typically appear as bite wounds from other animals, especially for cats that go outdoors. When a cat is bitten, foreign bacteria enters the cat and an infection begins to take root. As the infection grows, an abscess forms causing a lump or tumor-like appearance. These abscesses can cause extreme inflammation and may be hot to the touch.
How To Diagnose A Cat Abscess
While you may notice a lump or that your cat is having trouble eating and are sure that your cat has an abscess, it’s crucial to take them to your local vet for a professional diagnosis.
Abscesses don’t require many diagnostics, and they may just consist of your vet sticking a syringe at the site and extracting fluid. For more complex abscesses that might be in the mouth or from a bite wound, the vet may run X-rays or an ultrasound for a proper diagnosis.
Treating An Abscess
Once an abscess is diagnosed, it is fairly easy to treat. Because it’s an infection, your cat will likely be prescribed antibiotics. If your cat has a tooth abscess, a tooth extraction may occur alongside a thorough and deep teeth cleaning from the vet.
Surgery may be needed for body and internal abscesses to drain or remove the abscess.
Preventing Abscesses In Cats
The best prevention for a dental abscess is to help keep your cat’s teeth clean. There are many products on the market that are helpful, and you can always schedule a teeth cleaning with your vet.
For bite wound abscesses, keeping your cat indoors may prove to be the best prevention, especially if this becomes a chronic issue for them.
For internal abscesses, you may want to keep a better eye on what your cat is getting into. Monitor what they’re playing with, as foreign objects such as parts of toys can cause abscesses. Cats are also known to eat dead things that carry a whole host of bacteria, and if swallowed, cause an infection.
Schedule With The Vet Set Today
As the leading vet clinic in Carroll Gardens, The Vet Set provides comprehensive cat care — from dental and radiology to alternative treatments such as cat acupuncture and cold laser — we have a solution for your cat.
Don’t wait and schedule a cat wellness exam today!