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My cat's leg abscess burst. What aftercare is needed and vet visit?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I took my cat to the vet yesterday for a swollen leg. They gave him antibiotics and pain meds. The next morning I found out that it was an abscess, since it had popped and oozed all over his bed. There is a good sized hole and he licks it often. I tried to apply a warm towel, but he wouldn’t let me. I have been leaving him be. Should I do anything else? Do I need to take him back to the vet to make sure the fluid is fully drained and that it will heal? The size of the leg looks back to normal.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

Veterinarian

Published on November 7th, 2018

Hi, the medications should help fighting the infection and therefore there should not be any need to clean or drain the abscess as it burst on his own. For the time being, you just need to wash the area with salty water if you notice any discharge. If not, just monitor and make sure that swelling does not reoccurr. If you notice that the area is swollen or the discharge is not any better in the next couple of days then I would recommend to take him back to your vet to be reassessed. You should also have him rechecked if he is not eating or appears to be lethargic as this could mean he is running a temperature. Hope this helps and best wishes for a speedy recovery !

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 11th, 2018

    That could depend on your vet's recommendations. Usually it would be best to clean it daily to flush away the possible pus building up inside. Disinfection can be continued at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. If you provide a picture of the lesion you described we can give you more specific advices about it. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

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