My kitten has a hole on her belly near her back legs. What is it?

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor Carmy! I am assuming Carmy is an indoor-outdoor kitten. The hole could be from a fly that deposited an egg and now a large worm is in the hole. It is called a cuterebra. The best thing for her is to go to the Vet so they can check her out and if there is a cuterebra present remove it, flush out the wound and send her home with antibiotics. Good luck

Hi, and thanks for your question. Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. 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! If the swelling is at the belly button, is soft and non-painful it is likely an umbilical hernia. The herniation is usually fat through the body wall. Sometimes they can be pushed in (but come back out) or are permanently out. We usually fix them easily when they are spayed. Your Vet can examine it soon when you bring her in for her first exam and vaccines. Have a great day! Also feel free to post a picture.

I am so sorry for your cats injuries. Please take her to your vet to have these injuries cared for properly. These are too extensive for at home treatment. Until you can get her in to your vet for much needed wound management and antibiotics; it is best to clean this with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water to help antiseptically clean the area. You can also try shaving the hair around the wounds to help remove dirt from the area, but only do so if your pet tolerates it. If not, then its best to just let your vet do it, as this is a crucial step in allowing these areas to heal well. I do hope that you are able to seek medical care for Kiara soon! Best of luck and take care. : )

Ouch, poor Darkness! This is a good size hole, and that white thing inside could be a cuterebra or it could be part of her internal body such as bone if this is around her ribs. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain. I can say this looks bad enough that it likely needs stitches, and she has to see a vet. A vet can also diagnose what the white thing is definitively. Please take her into a vet now. Best of luck.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rocky. Is he allowed outdoors at all? I worry that he may have been in a cat fight and the holes are bite wounds. In this case, he would be very painful and not want to use his hind legs. Cats will also stop eating in this case. He would need to see his veterinarian for evaluation of the wounds and medications. If this is not the case, he could have a fly larva known as a cuterebra. In this circumstance, the larva will poke its head up for air. So watch for this to happen. Either way, he will need to see a veterinarian as soon as you are able. In the meantime, keep the area clean and dry. Do not let him lick. I hope this information helps!

It could have been caused by an injury or Midnight could have been bitten by another animal causing the hole. I would have her seen by a vet now if the hole is deep, as it will need to be cleaned and sutured. She might also need antibiotics in case of infection. I would take her into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her now.