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My cat has a burst abscess. How to treat it at home without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

My cat has a hole on the side of his chest, right under his neck, pumping out pus and missing fur as well. Looks like an abscess but I'm not sure and cannot go to the vet. What should I do?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 5th, 2018

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That does appear to be a burst abscess. Without examining her it's impossible to know for sure, however it resembles and has acted like an abscess.

Ideally she would be seen by a vet, they would flush it out with warm (not hot) salt water (1 teaspoon in 1 cup of water- your vet would use sterile saline) and then likely get antibiotics and pain meds. An E-collar also prevents Littlecloud from licking and introducing more bacteria into the wound.

If you cannot go to a vet, I recommend flushing it/cleaning it with salt water. Do not use any topical creams, just leave it open to drain. Clean it twice a day with the salt water, and try to prevent Littlecloud from licking at it or chewing at it.

The main pain has now gone since the abscess has burst (the pressure is relieved) . Do not give any human pain medications as these are often very toxic to cats.

Best of luck with Littlecloud!

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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