Cat’s wounds need treatment by vet
QMy cat lives to go outdoors, especially in the summer. Every so often, he gets in a scrap and comes home with a wound that I promptly wash off and apply antibiotic ointment to. This time, he has a big swelling that I think might be an abscess on his right front leg. I think it probably happened because I didn’t get to it soon enough. I plan on taking him to the vet tomorrow. What’s the worst that can happen? He is up to date on his shots, so I expect he will be fine. Do you have any suggestions on how to take care of it on my own? A Is your cat neutered? If he is not, that might explain why he might be more likely to get in fights in the first place due to territoriality. That said, even a neutered male cat may get into fights that can lead to wounds and abscesses.
What you do not know is whether the wound was inflicted by another cat or an animal of another species and whether that animal has rabies. That is why there are strict laws regarding rabies vaccination and quarantines should a pet sustain a wound of unknown origin, which may or may not be a bite wound. The only way you could avoid your cat getting wounds or an abscess is by keeping him indoors.
Even if you had gotten to the abscess and tried your home remedy when it was a fresh wound, you may not have prevented the abscess. Now you suspect the swelling might be an abscess and you may be correct, but leave it to your veterinarian to diagnose it and treat it.
A swollen abscess may rupture at any time, leaving a large open wound with potentially necrotic dead tissue that will need to be removed. This may also necessitate the placement of a drain as well as systemic antibiotics and pain medication. Is your cat vaccinated for leukemia as well as rabies? You should also have your cat tested for FIV, for which there is no vaccine. If he is positive for that virus, he should be kept strictly indoors. I do not have any suggestions for your treating it on your own because I believe you should have your cat seen by your veterinarian. The doctor may also need to booster it for rabies, inform you of the need for quarantine and, depending on your jurisdiction, possibly have to report it to animal control. I hope it will all work out well.