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My cat's surgical wound is leaking pus, what should I do immediately?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Birman | Male | neutered | 1 year and 9 months old

My cat developed absces 7 days after hip surgery(leg perthes)… i was at vet yesterday around 6pm and they opened stiches, cleared the wound and left it opet so it can drain.. they gave me antibiotics for cat Now is 4am and the wound is getting filled with so much absces that I dont know what to do.. I am trying to clean it with sterile gauze My vet opens his clinic at 8:30am.. I am alone with cat and dont know what to do with this leaking

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 15th, 2023

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry that you and Pablo are dealing with this situation. Please understand that we are not an emergency service so we cannot guarantee a quick reply. If he is leaking a lot all you can do is keep the wound clean the best you can and keep him in a confined area, like a bathroom, where it will be easy to clean up after him. Be sure he gets his antibiotics as scheduled. Unfortunately, the area where the incision is located is not an area that can be easily bandaged. Some people will fashion a human baby onesie (bodysuit) over the cat and put a maxi pad or something similar over the wound to catch the drainage. I do not know if that is something you can access easily. If you are not comfortable with the situation you can ask the vet to keep Pablo at the clinic until his condition is more manageable for you. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

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    Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 6th, 2018

    Yes, this will heal more quickly if you keep it draining. You can use a hot moist compress on the area to massage out the fluid and keep a scab from forming. Do this twice daily until there isn’t fluid under the skin. After you’ve cleaned the area you can apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on the wounds. It’s best if he doesn’t lick the area. I expect this to fully heal in a few days to a week. If the area becomes painful, he stops eating or it isn’t healing then please take him right in for an exam and treatment. He would then probably need oral antibiotics. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.

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