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What is an abscess and how do they occur?

Cat bite wounds sustained during territorial fighting between cats can result in deep but small punctures that quickly heal on the surface leaving bacteria trapped underneath the skin. This bacteria infects underlying tissues which often causes a localised area of pus and dead tissue which is called an abscess. Abscesses can appear as a painful lump or they may burst through the skin and drain pus. Abscesses can form over several days depending on the location and the depth of the bite. If the bite penetrates a joint or bony area, there can be a significant risk of septic arthritis or bone infection (osteomyelitis). Cat fight abscesses occur more commonly in male cats, unsterilised cats and those that are territorial.

Affected cats will be painful in the area of the abscess and will often not let their owners touch them. They may go off their food, develop a fever and appear dull and lethargic. There are also two incurable viruses that can be transmitted from cat to cat via a bite; namely Feline Leukaemia virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). These viruses can be diagnosed with a blood test performed in-house at our hospital. We recommend testing for these viruses at the time of the abscess and if negative, to repeat the test 60 days later.

Occasionally we see penetrating foreign bodies like grass seeds and splinters cause abscesses in cats too.

What does abscess surgery involve?

If a cat fight wound is treated early, many cases respond to antibiotics and pain relief without the need for surgery. However once an abscess has formed, antibiotics do not penetrate well into area and surgical treatment is usually required.

Abscess surgeries need to be performed under a general anaesthetic. At Perth Cat Hospital we do everything we can to ensure that every cat’s anaesthetic is performed in the safest, most gentle and comfortable manner allowing them a smooth and pain-free recovery. On the morning of your cat’s surgery, they will be admitted into hospital for the day. This process generally takes about 10-15 minutes and is done by one of our nursing staff. We do require a consent form to be filled out and signed for each surgical procedure. It is vital that the correct contact details for the day are checked and filled in.

Prior to anaesthesia our vets will perform a full physical exam on your cat. However there is always a possibility that a physical exam alone will not identify all of your cat’s health problems, so we recommend a pre-anaesthetic profile to be performed for all cats prior to anaesthesia. These blood tests are very similar to what your own doctor would run if you were to undergo anaesthesia yourself. The blood test will check for proper kidney and liver function, check the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, ensure adequate platelet levels for blood clotting and identify “early warning” signs of major blood and organ dysfunction. Our on-site laboratory allows us to run the blood tests on the morning of your cat’s procedure giving us real time results on their health status. We can also run the screening tests for Feline Leukaemia virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) at the same time.

All our anaesthetics receive a high level of monitoring with a dedicated nurse patient side as the anaesthetist for each procedure, and they will care for your cat from the very beginning of their procedure right through until they are completely recovered. We have invested in the top of the range model of the Surgivet Vital Signs monitor which measures multiple parameters including heart rate, respiratory rate and strength, pulse, body temperature, ECG, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and expired CO2 gases.

All cats undergoing an anaesthetic will have an intravenous catheter placed prior to induction of anaesthesia. Because cats are small animals they have an increased susceptibility to develop a drop in blood pressure (hypotension) in association with administration of an anaesthetic. This can be quite severe in some cats especially those who are very thin, old or unwell. We also see an increased risk of hypotension during longer procedures. Many patients undergoing a general anaesthetic can benefit from administration of intra-operative intravenous fluids for the duration of their procedure. Intravenous fluid therapy supports the liver and the kidneys by preventing a fall in regular blood pressure, this can be more common in an older patient and maintains blood pressure throughout the anaesthetic. Up to 80% of all patients undergoing a general anaesthetic will experience a significant drop in blood pressure that could be detrimental to organ function.

Once your cat is safely anesthetised, the surgeon will surgically drain and flush the abscess and explore the area thoroughly. All dead tissue and any foreign bodies such as grass seeds are removed and a drain may be inserted to prevent fluid accumulation.

Post-operative Care

Cats can vary in their reaction to anaesthesia, some will be bright and alert only hours post-surgery, whilst others may take 2-3 days before they are completely back to normal. Keep your cat quiet for 7-10 days after surgery to prevent any undue tension on the wound. If your cat shows any interest in the stitched wound it is wise to put an Elizabethan collar/bucket on the head to stop self-trauma. Observe the suture line daily and contact us if it becomes excessively swollen or inflamed. Drains are normally removed after 3-4 days and sutures are removed after 14 days. Most cats that have had an abscess surgery will be sent home with a course of antibiotics and may also be given further pain relief.

What steps are taken if the abscess recurs?

A recurring abscess may indicate there is a particularly resistant strain of bacteria or that your cat may have a lowered immune system. In these cases further tests such swabs, blood tests, or repeat surgery may be necessary.

How can abscesses be prevented?

Sterilised cats tend to be less territorial and less aggressive and therefore wander and fight less. If your cat is prone to fighting with the neighbourhood cats, consider building them an outdoor enclosure or cat run so they can enjoy the outdoors without all the risks. There are a number of specialised companies that can build these such as Catmax and Secureakat.

Testing your cat for Feline Leukaemia virus and FIV is strongly recommended if they sustain a bite wound from another cat. It is recommended to test at the time of the abscess occurring in addition to repeating the test (if negative) 60 days later.

If you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at Perth Cat Hospital.

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