My cat has a skin tear from a hair mat. He's licking it, what to do?

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!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Stormy! I would shave the fur away from the wound then clean it well with water and a mild soap (avoid hydrogen peroxide). Then apply triple antibiotic ointment twice daily. The most important thing is to have Stormy wear and E-collar to prevent licking and keep him indoors. He should see a Vet as soon as possible to at a minimum get antibiotics but to also see if surgery is required to close the wound. I would call your local SPCA to see if they offer a low cost Veterinary clinic. I hope this helps and I wish Stormy a speedy recovery!

Ouch! That looks like a large bit of skin was taken. It if is larger than 2-3 inches in size, I would have your vet suture it with a drain to keep it from getting infected. If it's smaller than that, keeping the area clean and dry and keeping Leroy from licking it is best to prevent infection. Signs of an infection starting include oozing or debris, swelling, pain, or heat/swelling around the area, which needs to be treated with antibiotics from your vet.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lilly! Is the wound right by his penis? If so that is a very hard location to bandage without covering his penis. The skin around the wound is very swollen and red. i am concerned about an abscess or a warble/cuterebra, which is a fly larvae under the skin. I recommend that you take him to the Vet Monday to have the area evaluated and to start antibiotics. Otherwise he needs an E-collar or cone to prevent licking. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The first thing you need to do, is to stop Milo from licking the wound. Head collar will be best. Then you should clean the wound with warm, boiled water 2-3 times a day. However, if the would is swollen and thickened (it does look a bit like that on the photos), your Milo may need to be seen at your local vets to get a course of antibiotics. It is hard to say what happened, it could have been a piece of glass, barbed wire, metal sheet that cut the skin.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Shu! I have seen this many times. It really depends on how deep the wound is. If it deep then sometimes it needs to be closed with staples, stitches or surgical glue. If it is not full thickness then it could scab over on it's own. Be sure she can't lick the wound and keep it clean. You can always post a picture, I wish you the best!

Please trim the fur so you can keep an eye on the wound and so the fur doesn't get stuck in it. Clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. I can't tell from the photo but if there is dirt in it you can flush the area with warm water. I wouldn't put anything topical on it if Truffles is licking the area. Using a restraint collar will stop the licking and then you could apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it, not deep into the wound. Keeping the area open and draining for a few days will prevent an abscess, a puss pocket under the skin. If Truffles stops eating or the area is very red and painful then he will need a veterinary exam and antibiotics. These wounds are not usually sutured as that traps in the infection. Cat wounds usually heal quickly when they are clean and open to the air. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Truffles.