My cat has a pussing wound. Should I use Neosporin or peroxide?

Poor Salem! You can gently clean the area with warm water and antibacterial soap. Hydrogen peroxide can be quite irritating to the tissue and actually causes healing to take longer in many cases, so I don't recommend using this. Neosporin should not hurt anything if you want to try it, but most cats will groom off any topical medication like this that you use. If needed, you can place an e-collar (plastic cone) on Salem so that he cannot continue to lick at the wound and make it worse. If it does not seem to be improving in the next 2-3 days, it would be best to see a vet as he may need prescription antibiotics to treat the sore.

typically an abscess forms after the scab traps the bacteria under the skin. Salt water will likely burn and betadine can be caustic. You are better to wash it with mild soap and water and keep Neosporin on the area just minimize the licking. If you notice swelling then you will need to see a vet for medicaiton

Poor M! I'm glad to hear that you're already using the e-collar because this will prevent M from scratching and worsening the issue. This lesion could be a result of a skin infection, ringworm, mange, flea allergy, among others. While you can use Neosporin, I do not typically find it to be overly effective for most wounds on pets. Instead, you can try a wound spray, such as Vetericyn (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25902). Also be sure that M is receiving a high quality flea preventative, such as Advantage, Bravecto, or Revolution regularly. If this lesion persists or worsens, he will need to go to his vet for further evaluation. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

The best things that you can do include cleaning the wound with an antiseptic soap (such as chlorhexidine or betadine) and keeping an e-collar (cone) on your cat to prevent any skin damage from scratching. If you do not have an e-collar at home, this link provides some tips to make one at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html. Your vet will be able to evaluate the extent of the wound and start antibiotics. I hope that all goes well!

Hi there, and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like Sophia is likely developing an abscess, which is a focal internal infection - the timing makes sense if she was in a fight 3 days ago.. If so, a topical product such as Neosporin won't help - she would need systemic antibiotics, either given orally or as an injection. I recommend having her seen by your vet so she gets the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, keep the area clean by gently washing it twice daily with soapy water. You can use a gentle dish soap such as Dawn. Hope this helps.

I would stop cleaning Moon Moon's sore with hydrogen peroxide. That's because it can actually damage tissues and interrupt the healing process. It is concerning that it's not healing, and the hydrogen peroxide could be part of the problem with it not healing. I would also refrain from putting Neosporin on it. Although quite safe on superficial wounds, cats groom and ingest most of the topical ointment you apply and therefore should be used only under direct veterinary supervision and if there are no other appropriate options. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed. I think it would be a good idea to take her into the vet to have her wound examined. The vet can clean the cut, and may prescribe an antibiotic to help it heal if it's infected.

Hello. First, stop squeezing the wound. Every time you do, you reopen & possibly re-contaminate the lesion. Pick up some Hibiclens ( chlorhexidine antibacterial skin cleanser ) at any pharmacy & gently scrub the area twice a day. It will take time, but eventually this should heal.. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.