My cat has an oozing lump under her ear. What should I do?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from your description and the fact that she is an outdoor cat, I would suspect what you are seeing is an abscess. I would recommend getting her to a vet if possible to have the lump examined so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you know who the owners are, I would try to discuss this with them before taking their cat to the vet for treatment. 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.

Yes you should take Lani to your veterinarian for an exam. You are doing a good job with your care but I don’t like the look of that red area in the ear from the picture. They will check to see if there’s something in the ear causing the problem and can treat the growth and ear infection. She could have a mass that will need to be removed. This looks uncomfortable so continue with your treatment but get her in soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lani.

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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see well in the pictures. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From your picture I do not see a wound, it looks like bleeding under the skin or is a bruise. If there is no wound then it doesn't need surgery and the blood should reabsorb like bruises do. If Maya is not acting normal and/or there are other areas of bruising on her body that she see a veterinarian to be sure she doesn't have a platelet or clotting disorder. Now if the ear has a fluidy lump on the ear pinna that is likely a hematoma. Ear hematomas can form from shaking the head and breaking the blood vessels. This is most commonly from an ear infection or ear mites. If she has a lot of dark brown or black wax in the ear and is shaking her head or scratching her ears she should see a Vet. Otherwise there is not much to do besides give it time to go away. I hope this helps and I wish Maya the very best!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect this is either allergic reaction or developing abscess. Please, take Sweet to your local vets for an appointment as she will likely need treatment with either antibiotics (for abscess) or anti-allergic medication (steroids or antihistamine medicine).

Thank for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It does sound like a small pustule with pus. If it was small and it is now drained and there is no inflammation present then it is probably fine to just keep an eye on her. If a discharge develops or it becomes warm to the touch or painful, have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as antibiotics are likely going to be needed. Good luck and have a good night!