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My cat has a burst abscess. Can I wait to take her to the vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 lbs

How should I go about treating a small abscess on the skin? I recently came home from school and noticed a cat we'd taken in to rehabilitate has developed what appears to be a burst abscess. I can not take her to the vet for now as I am only home this week but I will be able to make her an appointment to see a nearby clinic after this week.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 6th, 2017

Unfortunately, an abscess cannot be treated at home, Shivers has to see a vet for it. If it's ruptured, it needs to be flushed sterilely to prevent further infection from entering the area, and she needs antibiotics to treat the infection which are available by prescription only from the vet. She does have to see a vet as soon as possible for this, and it truly cannot wait until next week. I would see if a family member can take her to the vet this week since you are only home this week from school.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 29th, 2017

    Yes, you are absolutely correct that Bobo needs to see a vet if he has an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of infection that is actually very painful to a cat, and it needs to be drained and flushed sterilely, and he will need antibiotics to treat the infection. Please bring him into a vet today for it.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 20th, 2019

    An abscess cannot be treated with a home treatment, he will need antibiotics and this can only be prescribed by a vet. in some cases the abscess needs to be lanced and empty from all the puss as well.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 16th, 2017

    Unfortunately no, this cannot be treated at home. Wolfie needs to be seen by a vet to have the abscess drained and flushed, and antibiotics will need to be prescribed to treat the infection. He should see a vet today to have this treated ASAP.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My cat has a burst abscess. How to treat it at home without a vet?
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!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat has open abscesses. Can I wait a week to take her to the vet?
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. What you are doing is fine and she should be ok to wait to see the veterinarian, especially if they are becoming smaller. One other thing you can do is purchase betadine and dilute this with water until you have a light brown solution. I would use this solution to clean the abscesses twice daily until you get to your vet. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat has a skin abscess after surgery. Can I wait for the vet?
It looks like it may be healing. If it isn't big, full of pus, painful to him, he's eating, and isn't lethargic, you can wait until Monday to have him seen. Otherwise, take him into a vet immediately.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat has a ruptured abscess from a fight. Is it an emergency?
It's hard to say if it can wait. Once an abscess is opened and draining, much of the risk of lots of pain and deeper infection is reduced. If you decide to wait, Mr. Fox needs to wear an e-collar to prevent further licking of the wound, since that will delay healing and spread infection. You can apply Neosporin or clean with warm water rinses, but don't use alcohol or peroxide.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat's burst abscess from a fight: When should I see a vet?
If Felix got out, he may have gotten into a fight with another cat, gotten bitten, and it turned into an abscess. It sounds like the abscess has burst, but if it's painful, he does need to see a vet. I would take him into one first thing in the morning.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat has a tail abscess. Can I treat it at home without a vet?
Hi. Unfortunately there isn't a way around not going to the veterinarian for this. It won't go away on its own unfortunately. The good thing is it should be fairly easy and shouldn't be too bad cost wise. Good luck
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
What to do if my cat's paw abscess isn't bursting? How long to wait?
If your cat lets you do it, you can bathe her paw in a warm epsom salt solution twice a day. This should help ripen the abscess. Since I have not seen the abscess, I cannot tell you , how long it should take until it bursts, but I think by the latest on Monday, it should have opened.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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