Abscesses in Cats: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

An abscess is a painful collection of pus that can occur anywhere in the body, usually due to a bacterial infection. They are common in cats, especially males, who don't tend to shy away from a scrap.

An abscess can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable for your cat and should only ever be treated by a veterinary professional.

Here, we’re going to talk through how to recognise an abscess on your cat and what may have caused it, as well as the treatment you may be offered by your vet.

What Causes Abscesses in Cats?

As we’ve mentioned, abscesses are often caused by a bacterial infection, particularly in cats that fight with other cats or animals.

A cat’s teeth and claws are known to carry a lot of bacteria, meaning the bites and scratches a cat might sustain during a fight can easily become infected.

When an infection is left untreated, the body's natural response is inflammation and the flooding of the area with white blood cells to try to fight off the infection. This can quickly build up to form pus—a white, yellow, or sometimes brown protein-rich fluid—that continues to grow, creating tension beneath the skin and causing inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

Dental Abscess in Cats

Dental abscesses (also called a tooth abscess) are an inflammatory reaction from a dead or infected tooth.

A broken tooth is a common cause of these abscesses in cats, as bacteria can penetrate the soft tissue inside the tooth (the pulp), which becomes infected and dies. This most commonly occurs in a cat's canines, and while not every broken tooth will lead to an abscess, it will require veterinary treatment.

Symptoms of Abscesses in Cats

Abscesses can form on any part of your cat's body. However, they are most common around the head, neck, legs and the base of the tail. Depending on the area and size of the abscess, you may be able to see it as a prominent, bulbous swelling on your cat's body.

If your cat is a scrapper, you must check them over when they come inside and clean any visible wounds to prevent infections.

Even if you cannot see an abscess, it doesn't mean your cat doesn't have one. Symptoms of infections and abscesses in cats include:

• Excessive itching
• Signs of pain (limping or pawing at the affected area)
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling
• Swelling
• Visible wounds or blood and pus in their fur
• Fever (particularly with internal abscesses)
• Red, swollen or inflamed skin
• Loss of hair at the abscess site
• Swelling of the face and gums

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it's crucial that you take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

If left untreated, infections can spread, and abscesses may rupture if they grow or are pierced. In this case, you will likely notice a thick, yellow discharge from the site with a foul odour.

Please remember that just because the abscess is drained does not mean your cat will recover on their own. The site of the ruptured abscess can still become reinfected and needs to be adequately treated by a veterinary professional.

What to Do if Your Cat Has an Abscess

If you have noticed any of the above symptoms and think your cat may have an abscess, you must contact your vet as soon as possible, even if the abscess appears to have ruptured.

Left untreated, an abscess can lead to severe or potentially fatal conditions, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus.

Once a vet sees your cat, they will likely be able to tell you if it has an abscess, as they see them frequently on a range of animals. If they want to confirm the lump is an abscess, they may pierce the skin with a sterile needle to see if pus comes out. If it does, then it’s almost certainly an abscess.

How to Treat Abscesses in Cats

Before any medication can be prescribed for your cat, your vet will need to drain the abscess and clean the entire area. This can be incredibly painful and is often done under sedation.

Never attempt to drain an abscess yourself.

Once drained, the wound can be left open and cleaned to promote healing and make it easier to clean.

Your vet may also prescribe antibiotics and painkillers for your cat to help prevent reinfection and support recovery in comfort. You can also help keep their wound clean yourself by using a suitable pet wound wash such as the TrizCHLOR Flush.

Can You Prevent Abscesses in Cats?

Whether or not an abscess can be prevented depends on your cat’s temperament.

As many abscesses are the direct result of cats fighting, it can be hard to prevent them if you intend to keep letting your cat outdoors to explore.

That said, you can still take preventive measures, such as neutering male cats and staving off infections by keeping a cat first-aid kit handy and checking your cat every time they come back inside for any signs of injury.

Regardless of whether your cat gets into fights or even goes outside, having a pet first aid kit in your home can help you manage situations where your cat is hurt, even if it's only cleaning the initial wound before you take them to see a vet.

You can view our full range of cat first aid essentials below, including pre-made pet first aid kits.