Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo
  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My outdoor cat's leg wound drained pus. Can it heal without stitches?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male

This is an outdoors cat that showed up with an injury to the left rear thigh. It was smaller than pictured & after a few days grew a scab. The next day it had reopened & drained pus. It has since stopped draining & looks as pictured. We have the cat on 50mg penicillin 3x a day (if we can catch it) my question is, it is possible for this to heal without sutures? Can will not stay indoors nor wear an e collar & it's impossible to bandage. What will happen or how can we heal this without stitches

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Debi Matlack

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on May 10th, 2021

It sounds like he had an abscess from an injury, probably an altercation with another cat. A veterinarian would likely not suture it anyway to avoid trapping any contaminants and causing another abscess. It looks pretty clean with healthy granulation tissue forming. The antibiotics, even intermittent have probably helped keep further infection at bay. Keep an eye on it, if he will let you, clean it gently with a damp clean washcloth and keep any debris or infected material cleaned out. It should heal from the outside of the wound to the inside, gradually shrinking and closing over the open area. As long as he continues to eat and drink and behave normally, and and the wound continues to look clean with pink and healthy tissue, he should do fine. He needs to eat, going without eating for more than a few days will cause liver problems in cats which would require a vet visit to be treated.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share

Styled arrow button