Help! My cat has a horrible wound!

[dingit]

She's not in distress, there's no blood, but it looks like her skin is pulling apart under her front paw.

I have her booked into the vets, but has anyone any experience of this? Thanks

Anyone?

Sorry I don't have an experience of this exactly - I'm sure the vet will help.

My cat suddenly had a horrible gaping wound on his head one day, it looked like he'd been hit on the head by a space meteorite. The vet said it had been an abscess under the skin - a tiny infection probably from being clawed or bitten in a squabble with another cat probably weeks earlier - which grew and grew till it burst.

I have no idea whether your cat's wound is caused by something similar, but I am sure your vet will be able to sort it out quickly.

Thanks for replying. My first thought was she has been bitten. Except its in a really odd place in the joint, or her armpit! I only noticed because she rolled on her back for a tickle, I put my finger in it! It was a shock to touch flesh not fur! It doesn't look sore, but it's likely it will get infected.

Abscess. Run her down to the vets to get it cleaned out and some antibiotics as well. I've cleaned a few in my time.

You can keep it clean by bathing with salt water to prevent reinfection.

Thanks Clara. She will be delighted with her appointment later! ( not).

Another vote for absess gone pop.

Get nice flavoured, chewable antibiotics if you can. Makes med time less of a struggle.

Thank you. I was starting to think it was something awful! She is only 7, I couldn't bear to lose her. Mumsnet stops me worrying again!

Another thing I have heard of is a thorn or splinter that has either been swallowed or gone through the skin in a different place, then makes its way through the body and comes out somewhere odd. Happens to humans too!

Back now, vet happy the wound is clean, hopefully will heal on its own. She had no explanation for injury either!