My feral cat has a recurring cheek bump after a fight. What can I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
There is a semi feral cat that likes to sleep in our garage. He got into a fight one night and I checked him over, he only had a scratch on his nose and a small bump on his cheek. The bump went away in 2 days and I left for about 4 days for a trip, and it was back. I’m not sure what it is, because I didn’t see a bite or anything on his cheek. It is kind of hard, but it moves a bit when you press on it. It doesn’t seem to hurt him, he is still energetic, drinks and eats well. What can I do?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 14th, 2019
You can apply a warm compress to the swelling. If he will let you, hold it there for 5 minutes. Do this a couple times a day and hopefully if it is an abscess (infection) it will burst open to drain. If it doesn't and the swelling gets larger then he should see a vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 23rd, 2017
Swelling in this area is unlikely to be related to vaccines. Other possible causes for swelling in the cheek area is an abscess (infection), infected tooth, or trauma. I recommend that Gus get this swelling checked out by a vet. If there is an abscess, it will often need to be lanced to release the pus and pressure so that antibiotics can get to the source of the infection.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Recently noticed a fairly large bump on my cats cheek, about half the size of a golf ball. I know i need to bring her in and have it looked at, but is there anything I can do for her until I am able to have her looked at to help?
Most likely Charlotte has an abscess on her cheek which is a pocket of puss under the skin. This is most commonly due to a scratch from another cat. You can apply a hot compress to the area to bring in the blood supply to help heal the area. If there is a scab try to remove it so the infection can drain. once the puss is draining continue cleaning the area and try to massage it to remove all the puss. If it won't drain you will need to bring her to your veterinarian to have it cleaned, drained and to get antibiotics for Charlotte to treat the infection. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Charlotte.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
A week ago my cat had a fight with some other and received 2 scratches,1 on forehead and other on cheek.The injured area got swollen and 3 days ago the lump on her forehead bursted. Abscess and other discharge start ooz out of it that I cleaned thoro
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. She will need to see her veterinarian to have the swelling evaluated. It is likely another abscess. She will need to have it lanced to allow the infection to drain out. She will need oral antibiotics as well. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat's cheeks has been swellen, since 3 days. Not sure what is the reason. My cat is not much cooperative to take it to Vet. Please suggest a medicine or remedie to cure. We had applied tumeric powder to avoid infection. Please find the attached pi
This looks like an abscess or pocket of infection from a cat fight. You can hold a hot wet cloth on this area and massage several times a day to remove the scab and get the puss inside to drain. Once it’s draining your cat will feel better and his fever will resolve. If it doesn’t drain he may get very sick from the infection and will need oral antibiotics and the area drained under sedation. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Whity.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a lump on her side near her hips/spine. It also has a scab over it like she was biting to itch or something. I try and touch it and she doesn’t want me to. I really can’t get her to the vet right now. It feels soft and squishy and is the s
This could be a cat bite abscess. Your kitty may have been in a fight. If she lets you you can put a warm compress on it with warm epsom salt solution which may make the abscess burst. If it does not burst by tomorrow, take her to your veterinarian who can lance it. In case it is not an abscess your vet can then examine the lump or injury and treat it accordingly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my cat is a 1 yr old he started with a little bump on he's cheek now is really swelling it's looks like it's afecting his eye he's very well eating and playing what should I do you think it can be alergies or gingivitis thank you for your help
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I think this is likely due to dental disease as you smartly pointed out. Sometimes cats can develop tooth root abscesses that can look very similar at least based on this picture. Another possibility is a growth or an allergic reaction of some sort. I recommend that you have Leo evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to examine this more closely and determine what would be best to treat him with. Good luck and have a wonderful new year!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello sir/mam, my cat has a swelling on her left cheek.She is not doing well from quite some days.She is an outdoor cat.She stays with us from long tym around 8 years.She will not allow anyone from outside to touch her and we cannot let her come with
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! Swelling on the left cheek could indicate a dental or tooth infection, abscess, oral mass, enlarged lymph node, or perhaps a cutaneous fungal infection. It is hard to say for sure without examining her first. Unfortunately there is really nothing that can be done at home for this and it is very hard to determine what medication would work without getting a diagnosis first. I would recommend she see a veterinarian for an exam so a diagnosis can be made and he can start receiving the most appropriate medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my cat had a bad absess drained at vets 48 hours ago.. He wouldn't leave it alone and made it bleed by scratching it so we had to rush to a pet shop to get a cone so he can't scratch it. The staff helped us as it was so swollen it was bleeding ev
The main thing here is that the pus was drained from the abscess at your veterinarians clinic. Once the infected material is flushed out, there can still be fluid accumulating at the site of the abscess. You can apply a warm water washcloth to the area to keep it clean. I would just dab the area and not "scrub" to keep it clean. If it becomes as swollen as it was prior to your veterinarian's treatment, I would take him back in and have it looked at. I am hoping he was placed on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory as both these will help in the healing period. Keep the cone on until this heals fully as well. Please feel free to contact me with any questions / concerns you may have.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
He got into a fight with another cat a week ago now he looks like this and he is in pain
That is a very nasty abscess! These are extremely common in cat fights and bites as cats can carry a lot of saliva that cause infection under the skin. It would be best to seek care as soon as you can as they usually require drainage and thorough cleaning under sedation from a vet, as well as a course of antibiotics to help it heal. You will also want to keep Chuckles from licking or chewing at it with the use of an Elizabethan (cone) collar. If he'll let you, wiping any debris away with a clean washcloth can help, however if it is that badly swollen and painful already, seeking vet care ASAP is needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Swollen bump that is leaking slightly under my cat’s jaw? I’m unsure if it infected or not but it was not there yesterday. It is quite large and has swollen quickly.
This is likely to be an abscess that bursts open. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any). If not resolving in 4 days a check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Hi there I was just wondering what I could do to help this stray cat out that has been staying around my place for almost a month now their is other strays out there but he has been attacked badly and his right cheek is swollen and his eyes all weird
I am sorry to hear about this kitty! I would be concerned he could have an abscess https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951328 caused from a bite from another animal or possibly an infected tooth. Unfortunately this isn't something you can treat at home and he needs a veterinary examination. The abscess may need to be opened/drained and he may need medications to help treat it and make him comfortable. If you are unable to take on his care perhaps animal control or the humane society in your area would be able to help.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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