My cat's leg wound won't heal and she keeps licking it. Vet visit?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). It may heal on its own, even though it will take few days. Disinfection may be done at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. If the wound will not heal/or at least improve in 5 days, a check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

That area looks pretty irritated, and abscesses (infections under the skin) are very common in cats due to the bacteria in their saliva. Misty will need to be seen by a vet in order to have the area cleaned, drained as needed, and a course of antibiotics given. You should also use an Elizabethan (cone) collar to keep her from licking the spot as it heals and causing further irritation. If you are having trouble affording veterinary care, this site may help give you some ideas to make it more affordable so Misty can be seen: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

Oh no, poor Cat! You may need to be a shirt on him to keep the dog from licking at the wound. Cats will fit into baby shirts, and you can find a cheap from an op shop. Usually an infant size 3-6 months will fit a cat. You can clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap, but I don't recommend putting any ointments 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. Keep an eye on the wound, and if it becomes red, swollen, warm to the touch, or has pus, it's infected and cat will need to see the vet for antibiotics.

That is a pretty large wound! That being said though, it looks like it is healing fine. It does not appear swollen or to have discharge coming from it. The tissue looks healthy. Having it stitched when it first happened which would have allowed it to heal faster. I am not sure how long it's been but a wound that size would take weeks to heal without stitches. If I were you I would keep applying a topical antibiotic cream and just leave it be. Stop using the Betadine. If he is licking it you must stop that behavior by using an Elizabethan collar (cone). As long as he keeps licking it will not heal. If you want it to heal faster you need to take him to a vet to have it stitched. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Hello, my name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. I hate to hear this lesion on Patch is not healing. I think the main thing to address is the licking. The first thing you need to do is stop the licking (since this can make it worse). Patches should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Remember that the collar must come out past her nose in order to be effective. Next, wear gloves to handle the lesion and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. Get pet wipes that contain Chlorhexidine. Cleanse the area twice a day. This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. Lastly, after the area is completely dry, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day. Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Neosporin is fine to use. Again, wear gloves or apply with a q-tip. Patches needs to be indoors at all times. Cats can't wear elizabethan collars outside as they are a choking hazard if they were to get hung up. She can only wear the collar if she is in a safe environment. If the spot is not much better in 1 week, if it gets worse at any point or if the lesion is not completely healed within 2 weeks, Patches needs to be examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Ok. I'm not 100% sure I know what you are asking so I hope I can help you. 1. This looks like a wound as you stated. There is no way for me to tell you how it happened. 2. I do not see any worm(s) coming out but that is actually not unheard of. I don't know if you have cuterebra in your country but we get them in the US. It does not, however, look like a cuterebra infection. 3. I think the Soframycin you were using was fine. I cannot read the name of the spray that was recommended to you so I can't really comment on it. If your vet recommended the spray then you are better off using that. 4. If your cat wants to lick you need to stop him by using a "cone" collar. If he continues to lick it, it will not heal no matter what use on it. If you cannot get one that is already made, you can easily make one at home by watching some YouTube videos. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1A5tzFwRqk ) 5. If you get him neutered he will be less likely to get into fights which may have caused his wound. I suggest you get him neutered. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Certainly a buster collar would avoid further scratching and an antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) will avoid any risk of infection. Even though a picture of the wound would help to determine the most appropriate underlying treatment more specifically, I think in this case a vet check up would be ideal. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!