My cat has a wound. Does she need a vet or can I treat it at home?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female | spayed | 12 years and 4 months old | 4 lbs
Hello, our indoor cat has a wound and I wanted to see if I can treat it at home or if I need to take her in to the veterinarian. We aren't sure how she got it and suspect she was in a fight with our other cat. She seems to be acting completely normal and unfazed. She licks it but doesn't appear to be in pain. I discovered it last night. Took photos, treated it with warm water and saline solution followed by triple antibiotic ointment. I was going to do the same tonight but wanted advice
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 7th, 2021
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like a deep, inflamed wound. Antibiotic ointment may not by enough to treat it and Collic possibly will need a course of antibiotic in form of tablets to get back to normal. I would recommend Collic to be checked over by your local vets to fully assess the wound and to recommend the best treatment option.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 10th, 2018
Hello. This looks like a bite wound abscess, most likely from an altercation with another cat. You have done a very good job treating the wound, but they almost always need antibiotics to heal the quickest. I would try & see the vet at your earliest convenience to start Bo Diddle on an appropriate medication. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on October 22nd, 2017
Poor Boobie! I think you are quite right that it has been caused by a bite from the other cat. This wound looks typical of a cat bite abscess that has burst out. She will actually feel much better now it has burst as the pressure will have reduced. You can try cleaning it with chlorhexidine in water or iodine if you have them. If not salty water would do the job. You may find she really resents you touching it, if so just leave it until you go to the vet tomorrow as she will be better when she gets some pain relief. The collar is a great idea. Tomorrow at the vet they will clean and clip the wound, then likely give her an antibiotic injection and antinflammatory medication. You will also need to clean the wound regularly to stop it closing over before all the infection is resolved.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 11th, 2017
I am so incredibly sorry this has happened to your cat Gulabo. I would start by placing an e-collar on her straight away so she can't bite or lick the wound. This will cause further tissue trauma and may introduce infection. It appears to be Cat bite woulnd, unfortunately these types of wounds are very likely to form an abcess. Which is an accumulation of Bacteria and dead and dying white blood cells. This forms puss and accumulates when wounds close over infection, under the skin, until it bursts. Due this high likelihood for an abcess, as well as the fact that the would is currently open and bleeding, I would advise taking Gulabo to the veterinarian as soon as you can. The vet will clean the wound by flushing it with saline. The vet may need to place a surgical drain in order to prevent pus building up and an abcess forming. The vet can also prescribe medications such a as antibiotics, pain relief, and anti-inflammatories to make Gulabo comfortable and help the healing process. If this is not possible at the moment here are some tactics to attempt at home; E-collar to keep wound clean Clean the area with warm water Place a small tshirt on Gulabo if you do not have an ecolllar Watch for signs that the infection is progressing such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, inappetance, creamy discharge or foul odor. I hope this information was helpful and that Gulabo heals well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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