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My cat's eye is swollen and oozing after a fight. Does she need a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Turkish Angora | Female | spayed | 3 years and 2 months old | 8 lbs

My cat Calypso got into a fight with my other feline and she was scratched above the eye less than 24 hours ago. Her eye is now swollen almost shut and there is a lump about the size of an acorn that has exploded and is oozing smelly, yellow puss

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 26th, 2018

It appears that your kitty has a so-called cat bite abscess. You should take her temperature and if she has a temperature of over 103F she will need to be seen by your vet and the abscess needs to be drained properly. She will also need antibiotics, If she does not have a fever, the abscess is draining nicely (you can put gentle pressure on it and remove the discharge with a tissue) and does not refill, then it might heal by itself. However since this abscess is close to the eye I strongly recommend you taking Calypso to your vet tomorrow for an exam and treatment.

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    Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 30th, 2018

    Meow face is so cute! When eyelids swell like that, it could be an infection from virus or bacterial, it could be an injury to the cornea, it could be allergies, or a contact irritant. She will need to be seen and most likely will need eyedrops for comfort and infection. Good luck.

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