My cat has a large cheek bump. What can I do before seeing the vet?

You can apply a warm compress to the swelling. If he will let you, hold it there for 5 minutes. Do this a couple times a day and hopefully if it is an abscess (infection) it will burst open to drain. If it doesn't and the swelling gets larger then he should see a vet.

You can clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. I would then take a hot wet washcloth and massage the area. The heat and massage will improve the blood supply to the area so it will heal more quickly. If there is a pocket of puss the goal is to get the scab off so the infection can drain. If there is an open wound then I would apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it afterwards. If she becomes lethargic and not eating then I would bring her in for an exam as she may have a fever and need antibiotics. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

I am sorry to hear Charlotte has been uncomfortable! She is a very beautiful cat! I recommend having her screened for ear mites, ear infections and external parasites. Regardless of the underlying cause, medications may be indicated at this point. If they do not find an underlying cause on exam, I would also consider requesting a flea prevention, a prescription food trial and changing her food bowls to stainless steel and washing them daily as some cats can have sensitivities to parasites, food and plastic. I would keep a close eye on it to ensure the problem does not turn into a chronic issue! I hope this helps and she feels better soon!

That is very oddly discolored gunk for sure. I would certainly clip (if you're able) around the area to see if it looks infected or can be kept clean at home (clean washcloth, Elizabethan collar to prevent pawing at or licking it, keeping the area trimmed and dry). If Gremlin won't let you look at it or clean it properly, more discharge is coming from it, or it's very large/rapidly changing in size, a vet visit is a good idea. They can safely clip back any hair to make sure there aren't other pockets of infection, can clean the area, and may suggest taking samples if they suspect something more than a clogged pore or minor abscess.

You didn't include a picture so I cannot say for sure but the most common cause of leaking bumps on a cat would be an abscess, which is a pocket of bacteria, fluid, and inflammatory cells that is often caused by a wound (sometimes from a bite or scratch from another animal). I cannot rule out something like a cyst or a tumor that has grown too large and the skin has gotten stretched and broken open, or even a self inflicted injury from overgrooming, but the most likely answer is that this is an abscess. Pebbles should definitely be seen by her veterinarian, who will probably clean and flush the area and may recommend a culture of the area. They may also prescribe an antibiotic and maybe a pain medication, however in the meantime you can use warm compresses over the area to help it drain and to keep it clean if she allows you to. If you have an e-collar you can place that to prevent her from licking at the area and causing more bacteria (from her mouth) to enter the area. Good luck, I hope I could be helpful!

I would recommend having your vet examine Mochi to see what is going on. It looks like there is a little hair loss as well. If your other cat scratched her and some of the bacteria from the claw punctured the skin, you may not see any blood, but she may have an abscess under the skin that needs to be treated. An abscess can be red and painful, so that may be why she does not want it touched or inspected. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. She will need to see her veterinarian to have the swelling evaluated. It is likely another abscess. She will need to have it lanced to allow the infection to drain out. She will need oral antibiotics as well. I hope this information helps!