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Hi, My cat has a scratch on her head near her ear and it is quite swollen, it looks abit like a lump but its soft, she is ok in herself and happy but seems sore if you touch the scratch, will this heal or should I take her to see a vet? Thanks
Optional Information: Type of Animal: domestic shorthair Gender: Female Age: 11 Name of Cat: Mittens Already Tried: I bathed the scratch in luke warm water with a cloth and just keep giving her extra loving
Aloha! You're speaking with Dr. Michael SalkinUh oh. That soft lump is likely to be a bite wound abscess. These need to be lanced, drained, and flushed with an antibiotic solution such as chlorhexidine. Drainage may need to be established and systemic antibiotics administered. I assume that Mittens could have gotten into a fight. Please let me know if that's likely.
Hi Michael,
Thank you! It isn't common for scratches to cause abscessation. We ordinarily will find evidence of tooth punctures but those marks can disappear after a few days. Abscesses can fester for many days before an obvious pus pocket forms. In any event, Mittens needs to be seen by her vet. Abscesses can open and drain on their own so don't be surprised if that occurs - particularly if she starts to bother the area. Should that occur she'll still need to be seen because partial drainage won't suffice. Please continue our conversation if you wish.
Experience: UC Davis graduate veterinarian with 41 years of experience
Thank you for your kind accept. I appreciate it. I'll check back with you in a few days for an update.
Thank you, I will book Mittens in to see the vet first thing Monday morning, and thank you speak to you soon
Good! I'll talk to you soon.
How is Mittens doing now?