Cat has an abscess

[NightmareWalking]

Poor OldCat has an abscess under his chin, which I pubs out this evening when he scratched it and burst it. I've drained as best I could & bathed the area with saline, should I continue for the next day or two or should it be straight to the vets in the morning? I've never had a cat with an abscess before.

[NightmareWalking]

Sorry for 2 threads - phone went peculiar!

[cozietoesie]

Bathing with saline is good but I'd still head to the vet in the morning for a check over - it just might not be his only wound for instance and the vet will likely want to give him antibiotics anyway. I take it he got in a fight?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

The problem is that I'd the wound closes over, and there is still infection in there, the abscess will simply re-form. When our cat had abscesses, they had to be laid open, so that they dried out and healed up.

[NightmareWalking]

Vets it is then. Not sure about the fight, he doesn't go out but does scrap with his sister from time to time. He has had dental problems and teeth removed in the recent past and I wondered if there might be a connection.

[cozietoesie]

Ah right. Definitely vets then.

[NightmareWalking]

It's turning into a three ring circus really. My vets is closed today. That's ok, they have another branch. Their only appointment is at 5.10. I book it - but I can't reach the loft to get the cat carrier and (tall) DH is 200 miles away - with the car & car seat. So I have to find someone with a cat carrier and get Cat, 9 month DD & me into a taxi before 5pm! Argh.

Cat feeling sorry for himself today - I've bathed a few more times with saline and coaxed him to eat some catmeat, poor thing.

[cozietoesie]

Any cat-owning neighbours nearby?

[NightmareWalking]

There are cats round here but I don't know which cat belongs to which house IYSWIM! Just waiting for DD to wake from an epic nap then we're going to knock a few doors with our fingers crossed...

[cozietoesie]

That should do it - most people have a carrier tucked away somewhere.

Good luck.

[cozietoesie]

PS - especially when they know it's not going to be an ongoing thing because you have one of your own but just can't reach it in time.

[ArthurCucumber]

Yes, I'd take him to the vet. We have a hunting/fighting lady who's had loads of abscesses in her time, and they tend to recur unless properly drained/rinsed and (usually) treated with antibiotics.

Good luck with the cat carrier/baby/etc! Sounds like you're going to have quite a journey but it's definitely for the best.

[NightmareWalking]

We have a carrier Nice stoner guy from 2 doors down had one! Now to try and get Cat into it and get him to the vets for 5.10.

[cozietoesie]

Well done for finding one - and best of luck to you and him!

[cozietoesie]

How did you get on, Nightmare?

[NightmareWalking]

OldCat has an abscess although I'd drained it well with my saline and squeeze routine. £50 for visit and some super strong antibiotics and got to go back next week.

Both DD and cat were beautifully behaved; the taxi driver on the way home took quite a shine to DD and everyone was helpful carrying the cat carrier! First antibiotics given with no fuss. I expect that to get more difficult as Cat gets better.

[cozietoesie]

Well done all of you.

And you might not get bad behaviour next time as this excursion has been relatively relaxed, pleasant and ended up back at home. He'll remember.

[ArthurCucumber]

Ah, brilliant :). So glad it went well, and your old fella got help. Champion cat owner medal awarded for the taxi/cat/baby trip!