My cat has a small facial wound, what do i do?

[catgotyourtongue]

I noticed last night that there was some swelling on my cat's face, but I couldnt see any reason for it after inspecting.

Today I saw his cheek(?) looked strange, upon closer inspection I could see he'd been cleaning it and there was blood. (Pictured - looks worse in picture because his fur was wet)

He let me clean him up without meowing or trying to get away. I used cool boiled water and a cotton pad. I think I could see a small puncture wound so assume fighting.

This was 5 hours ago. He's just come downstairs for attention and it looks like he's been cleaning it again and there's a bit of blood again.

Of course I'll go to the vets if needed but I'm really hoping there's a way to help him at home?

He is still eating, drinking, going outside and wanting attention. So there's no personality change.

Hopefully this picture works! This was 5 hours ago.

This picture is from last night and the side with the most brown is the slightly swollen side.

I don't think it's swollen now though.

Leave it a day or two. Cats are quite robust.
It looks like he has cleaned it.

If he becomes ill otherwise take him to the vet.

Nice cat.

Keep an eye on it. Mine had something similar due to a bite wound. Became an abscess. £50 for antibiotics. He's fine now. Just really ugly with a shaved face!!

Give it a good wash in warm salt water. It’ll be easier to part the fur as well to see the wound.

Perfect timing for a vet trip as well. He has set the bar high.

Weekend ✔️
Pandemic ✔️
Near the end of the month✔️

Don't put anything on it. If you need to clean it, use water on a soft cloth or cotton wool pad. Don't use ointment.

Maybe a few cuddles might help.

He's such a lovely cat when he wants to be so cuddles will be easy! He's sunning himself on my bedroom window now and happily let me approach him.

I'll give it the weekend and see how he is on Monday. I will keep cleaning it and checking it!

Warm salt water, couple of times a day.

Keep an eye on it.

If he stops eating, or starts bevaing strangely, vet ASAP.

He’s a sweetie!

He isn't always so grumpy!

Probably a burst abscess. Keep an eye on it, most likely it will heal by itself

Just be careful that he doesn't have something stuck in the wound that could cause infection. My boy had that and his cheek blew up like there was a golf ball wedged in his mouth.. needed a course of antibiotics! Gorgeous cat though 😻

@Oldestchild90s - how big was your cat?!? 🐯🦁🐅🐆

Pets at Home have some amazing antiseptic lotion for a fiver.
Ddog rubbed a hole trying to shed hair (itchy husky)last year.
Typically found it a Friday night...
Used the lotion and massively better by the Monday - when she would have seen a vet.

@LittleMissnotLittleMrs definitely like a miniature lion, and as the vet describes him.. very dense 😂😂

My cat has had a burst abscess twice - high temperature and a lot of pain both times.

My vet does a weekend surgery that’s the same cost as weekday appointments. Could you give them a ring?

Cats are very good at hiding pain.

Nothing new to add really! He is still acting totally himself. No running off if I go up to him, absolutely fine when I clean it. He even let me trim the fur around it earlier so we could get a better look.

My assumption is when his face was swollen, it must've been the abscess, and it's burst which is now.

Anyway! There is NO smell at all, that's good right?

What a beauty!

Poor wee man. Glad he is doing better. You are very lucky, my experiences of burst abscesses have been brutal. One one occasion my cat was very ill - we were lucky to have caught it in time.

I know I am cautious, but could you call your vet to even see if he needs and anti biotic?

@Itwasntme1 I plan on calling them tomorrow for advice

How is he now?