My feral cat has a recurring cheek bump after a fight. What can I do?

Most likely Charlotte has an abscess on her cheek which is a pocket of puss under the skin. This is most commonly due to a scratch from another cat. You can apply a hot compress to the area to bring in the blood supply to help heal the area. If there is a scab try to remove it so the infection can drain. once the puss is draining continue cleaning the area and try to massage it to remove all the puss. If it won't drain you will need to bring her to your veterinarian to have it cleaned, drained and to get antibiotics for Charlotte to treat the infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Charlotte.

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!

This could be a cat bite abscess. Your kitty may have been in a fight. If she lets you you can put a warm compress on it with warm epsom salt solution which may make the abscess burst. If it does not burst by tomorrow, take her to your veterinarian who can lance it. In case it is not an abscess your vet can then examine the lump or injury and treat it accordingly.

This is likely to be an abscess that bursts open. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any). If not resolving in 4 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!

Even though the swelling is non-painful an abscess would be most likely. It is also possible that Cik Ning has a skin growth or an enlarged lymph node in this area. A warm compress certainly wouldn't hurt, and I think that is probably the main thing you would be able to do at home to hopefully help with comfort before your visit.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rilian. He will need to see his veterinarian as he most likely has developed an abscess under his skin. Cat teeth are very sharp and puncture the skin introducing bacteria deep inside. The overlying skin heals quickly trapping the infection underneath. A visible swelling will develop. This is what I suspect has happened to Rilian. Most cats will develop a fever and may stop eating. He will likely need antibiotics and possibly to have the abscess lanced. In the meantime, it is fine to shave the overlying hair. I would not apply anything topically aside from water to cleanse the wound though. You can apply warm compresses for 5 minutes 3 times per day if he will tolerate it as well. I hope this information helps!

Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent rubbing or pawing. Apply a warm compress for 5-10 minutes several times daily to promote drainage. Keep the area as clean and as dry as possible. Monitor for lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or fever. He will likely need antibiotics. Your vet may explore the wound to rule out foreign body or deeper abscess.