The other day I noticed my tabby, Mattie, had a horrible looking sore on the side of her face down by her jaw. I believe that it was on one of her scent glands. I could be wrong though. It was about the size of my thumb and had liquid under it. Later she scratched it so much it broke and began to ooze puss and blood. I've done my best to patch her up myself but I dont know if I need to take her to the vet or not. Will it continue to get more infected if I dont take her? What should I do to help her and what should I not do?
2007-06-10 05:06:31 · 9 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Time and money are not a problem here I just want to know what to do for her till then.
2007-06-10 05:14:34 · update #1
It could be a symptom of food allergy or plastic allergy, since cats rub the side of their faces on objects they like and want to claim, which could include plastic items. Or it could be an abscess from an injury. Whatever the cause, it bothers her and that's why she scratches at it.
You need to take the cat to the vet to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Waiting to see what happens isn't a good idea. Don't put peroxide, Neosporin, or anything else on it because that could interfere with the diagnosis and they aren't good for cats anyway.
2007-06-10 05:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by Kayty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a cut or wound that has become infected (abscessed). It's unlikely to be a scent gland, it's more likely to be a dental problem or perhaps a cut.
Do take the cat to the vets. Abscesses are unlikely to clear up without surgical cleaning and antibiotics.
The only thing that's really safe to do until you get to a vet is keep the cat inside and keep the area as clean as possible using cotton wool soaked in salty water (only one teaspoon of salt to a pint of water).
Chalice
2007-06-10 05:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds more like a war wound that has abscessed. The best thing is to keep it open and draining - no bandages and get her off to the doc as soon as possible. I have a kitty that I have to hold down and open such abscesses so much it is ridiculous! Always around the head area and from a fight. Any puss and drainage you can keep drained out the better in all such cases. The infection will most assuredly do the kitty in if left undrained and untreated. Good luck and hope she gets better very soon! :-)
2007-06-10 06:56:32 · answer #3 · answered by Linda B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - to both! Cats establish a hierarchy that way, and they determine who is who by scent. Cats have scent glands at the corners of the mouth, at the top of the head, and at their back end. They tell much more by scent that by sight (including about their owners); the dominant cat is the one that does the sniffing, as opposed to the subordinate cat that must allow the sniffing (notice it's not often the other way around).
2016-05-21 07:28:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My associate, a cat rescue person whose identity I shall keep anonymous, and who has for a couple decades cared for felines of various types and ages, is of the opinion that yes, she supposes "such a thing can happen; I would go to the vet on that (problem)."
2007-06-10 05:16:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Another thing it might be is a cat bite abcess. I'd keep the area clean if the cat will tolerate it, maybe with peroxide, until you can get to the vet--and ASAP.
2007-06-10 05:40:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes- take her to the vet!!! Would you take yourself to the doctor if the same thing was happening to you? She depends on you to take care of her- even if it costs time and money.
2007-06-10 05:10:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a cyst, or it could be something else such as cancer. Get her in to the vet and don't wait!
2007-06-10 05:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like a cyst (they can be pretty nasty), take her to the vet now to reduce the risk of further infection.
2007-06-10 05:11:47 · answer #9 · answered by EnglishTea 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋