Conference misery::feline

    Abcesses are more common in outdoor cats or cats that don't get along. 
    A cat's skin heals very quickly when it is punctured.  It heals so
    quickly that it traps the germs and bacteria inside the skin. The
    result is that the bacteria grows and forms an infection under the
    skin.  
    
    Abcesses need to be drained and the cat put on antibiotics.  If this
    isn't done several things can occur.  The abcess will burst on it's
    own, like a giant puss-filled eruption on the cat's body, or the
    infection will become systemic (septicemia) and possibly lead to death
    of the cat.
    
    There are a couple of things that you can do to prevent abcesses.  If
    your cat goes outside, neuter and spaying will help cut down on
    abcesses because altered animals are less likely to get into fights. 
    Another way to cut down on abcesses is to make the cat indoors only.
    
    If the cat is an indoor cat, things you can do include keeping all
    cats' nails trimmed regularly (so they can't puncture each other if
    they do fight or play rough). You might also consider separating
    combatant cats while no one is home to supervise.
    
    Hope this answers your questions.
    
    Jo

    Thanks Jo.  He is neutered, but VERY territorial about our yard. I have
    an appt. for the vet's tonight anyway. DOn't want to take any chances.
    The last abscess turned into major surgery for him, which included a
    drain and stitches, so I don't want to get into THAT again.
    Sarah

    Here's my abscess story:
      
    Our family cat, Kizzie, is a barn cat who lives with my parents.  She's
    about 14 years old (which I think is pretty old, but my parents don't
    agree).  Anyways... Last week she got some hay caught in the side of
    her mouth; it had actually pierced the inside of her mouth, and my mom
    removed it.  A few days later a couple of abscesses appeared; they were
    small and broke open.  My mom (who is a veteran animal caretaker and
    owner of 6 horses, 3 cats and 2 dogs) called the vet to confirm that
    she needed to keep the sores open and apply peroxide periodically. 
    Well the sores seemed to heal up, but a couple of days after that
    Kizzie's face started swelling.
    
    To make a long story short, I spent my weekend (the folks were away)
    shuttling the cat to the vet and back.  She had to have a drain put in
    her cheek.  It looked really painful; poor little Kizzie had tubes
    sticking out the side of her furface.  She took it better than I did,
    though!  She was rubbing and purring as if the side of her face wasn't
    shaved and "plumbed"!  She started scratching it so I had to get a
    collar (looks more like a cone) for her, but the crafty little devil
    learned that cupboard corners and box corner were useful for getting
    around the collar!
    
    I figured that the piece of straw splintered when my mom pulled it out,
    and the abscesses were the splinters working their way out.  Hopefully,
    there aren't anymore to cause more problems.  Does anybody have any
    experience with recurring abscesses?  What is the likelihood of
    recurrence?
    
    Thanks,
    --Michelle
    

    My impression is that abcesses recur if there's still something trapped
    that can cause infection, or if some infected tissue is trapped. 
    That's why the treatment includes making sure the abscess can drain.
    Hopefully Kizzie is out of the woods now.  When my cats went outside
    and got abscesses I found it paid to watch the area very closely after
    treatment (sometimes the "new" abscess is only visible as a slight
    swelling under the skin until it bursts - ack)  for a couple of weeks
    afterwards.  I assume the vet checked for remaining hay.
    

    Michelle,
    
    That is the same kind of abcess Onyx had the first week I got him
    in the house.  He had come in complete with foxtail up his nose.
    A few days later I had to run him to the vet cause his cheek was
    blown up like a balloon.  He came home with a punk hair do (shaved
    on one side) and a tube that stuck out in two places.
    
    I thought the abcess was some how related but the vet didn't think
    so.  He thought maybe his bully brother had injured him in the cheek.
    
    Hope Kizzie is doing okay now.
    
    Jan

    My big brut Barkley has had a few abcesses in his lifetime...but
    we have been lucky that once we start treating them...they have
    not reoccured.   
                             
    Good luck with your baby.

    Mom took Kizzie to the vet to remove the drain this morning, but I
    haven't heard from her yet.  I'm sure Kizzie will be okay.  The vet
    flushed the abscess twice before I brought her home Saturday, so,
    hopefully, he got any last irritating particles of hay.
    
    Thanks all for your concern and good wishes.
    
    --Michelle

We discovered an abscess on Tigger's tail a couple of years ago; the vet
shaved the spot to clean it out, and wrapped it in gauze.  He also gave us
some antibiotics (our first experience in pilling--Tigger didn't even notice
the pills camouflaged in the Tender Vittles. :-))

When it came time to remove the bandage, the sequence of events was grab
Tigger, unwrap, unwrap, grab Tigger, unwrap, unwrap, grab Tigger, unwrap,
unwrap, look in shock at remaining bandage (still wrapped up) in hand with
Tigger gone off to lick his wound!

Jill

    On Monday we notice our little Bucko was limping slightly.  As
    of yesterday AM..he was limping pretty bad....so off to the vets
    he went.
    
    Bucko had an infected leg that was pretty swollen from a cat bite.
    The vet gave him a shot and put him on pennicilan (sp??).  As of last
    night he wasn't limping half as bad!!  I'm sure this could have turned
    into an open Abscess if it wasn't treated.
    
    This poor kitty has had bad luck since we found him...but in reality he 
    has the best of luck because of all his hard-ship cases my sister is 
    falling in love with him.  She is temporarily "fostering" him for me..
    but I'm really praying she decides to keep him!!
    
    Sandy  (who's co-owner of Bucko!)
    
    
    

    Last night when I went home...I noticed Bucko was limping again
    pretty bad....so I immediately called the vet and he suggested
    soaking the leg with Epson Salt and if he still wasn't putting
    pressure on the leg by morning...to bring him back in.
    
    Well...I realize it was impossible to keep a cats foot under water
    to soak it...so what I did was soaked a facecloth in warm water and
    epson salt..and then applied the facecloth to the leg.  Bucko seemed
    to enjoy this at first...but then fought all the way!!  Is there
    another solution to soaking a leg.  (It's not the paw)
    
    He is also a terrible pill taker...he foamed at the mouth, shook
    his head, and the foam went everywhere.   Does this mean he probably
    didn't get the whole pill???
      
    BTW...he was still limping this AM so my sister brought him back to 
    the vet...and I haven't heard the results !!   
    
    Sandy
    

    My baby's been foaming at the mouth with pills this week. Found out
    that she was holding it on the back of her tongue, and it was foaming
    up! She looked like she had rabies! (and a foamy beard!) Anyhow,
    I found that the farther back I get the pill, the less like she was to
    foam!
    
    Good luck with the leg!
    
    Cheryl & crew

    Some cats will foam even if you get the pill down their throat.  If
    they start to foam, open the mouth and look to see if the pill is
    there.  If it is, remove it and start over with a new pill.  If it is
    not there, then the foaming is a reaction to the taste of the pill
    before it went down.  Foam is from saliva, which originates in the
    mouth, not from the stomach.  If you don't see the pill in the mouth,
    then the pill is in the stomach doing it's job.
    
    Jo

    Sandy,
    
    Get a small dishpan and place it on the floor (assuming it's deep
    enough, I don't know how big Bucko is!).  Now, get over the cat and
    hold him down.  Distract him with treats, toys, hugs, etc, but keep his
    leg in the water.  He'll understand that you are trying to help.  If he
    doesn't, smack him on the side of the head at least three times and
    threaten him with Van Gogh.  Mention such words as "feral", "another
    vet visit", "no more pounce treats", "back outside", etc.  :^)
    
    As far as pilling the cat goes, the best method is sneaking up on the
    animal.  (If I can pill Lea, anyone can pill a cat)  Sneak up from
    behind, grab the cats mouth open with your thumb and forefinger, (the
    palm of your hand will be covering his eyes) pull the cats head back
    (lifting the head up as if you were going to peak inside) and pop the
    pill in towards the back of the mouth.  Don't stick your fingers in the
    cats mouth while doing all this though cause you could get bitten and
    then you'll be mad at me!  :^)  The best plan of attack is surprise. 
    Lea never knows what hits her, heh, heh!  My record time for pilling
    all three of our cats is 46 seconds but they were all in the same room
    so that's cheating.  :^)  Once you get the knack, it's a matter of
    seconds.  I've had cats that were easy to pill by disguising in a piece
    of ham, and I've also had cats that had to be wrapped in a towel and
    fought with and then they foamed at the mouth.  The sneak up approach
    is by far the best method but you've got to be super quick!  Too bad we
    didn't live closer.  I'd give you a free demo (and I'd take Van Gogh
    home with me :^).  Better yet, show up at Jill's house tonight and
    we'll use a live cat to demo this procedure.  (just don't tell Jill!)
    
    Promise me you won't hit Bucko on the side of the head now, ok?  I was
    only kidding (except for the part of stealing Van Gogh!)  :^)  Hope
    Bucko gets better soon.

>>    mouth, not from the stomach.  If you don't see the pill in the mouth,
>>    then the pill is in the stomach doing it's job.
    
    Or the pill is in a strategic hiding spot, such as under the radiator,
    couch, etc. or under his paw!  Make sure the cat does indeed swallow
    the pill and isn't pretending to have swallowed it.  Some cats are
    professionals in this category.  :^)

    
    Ahh threatening with Van Gogh...I never thought of that one!!  It
    would be enough to scare any kitty!!!!
    
    I'm usually pretty good with pills...but out of 10 cats...I never
    saw a foamer!!
    
    The first pill we tried...we did use the sneak attack and it worked
    well....but the second pill we tried...he saw it coming and was 
    ready for us!!  And if you miss the first time...that it the foam
    starts!!  We even tried to hide the pill in smelly tuna...but he
    was too smart for that.
    
    Don't worry...I won't smack him...he's too cute!!!!
    
    Sandy
    

    It's sometimes teh particular medicine in the pill that causes the
    foaming.  Holly looked like Niagara Falls with one, and the vet
    switched her to something else.
    

    Having been blessed with knowing some of the sneakiest felines
    in the business when it comes to hiding pills instead of taking
    them, I have found the mortar and pestle method to be most effective.
    Grind up the pill and mix the powder with something entirely 
    irrisistible, such as baby food.  Not only does it work, but kitty
    is convinced your lavishing him/her with affection not medication,
    and a calm kitty is less likely to regurgitate medication all over
    the carpet 5 minutes later ;-)
    
    Mary-Michael

    Ah bless my mortar & pestle! Yup, I too grind up those nasty ole' pills
    and them put it in anything soft (tuna, grated cheese, baby food). My
    two now are pretty easy to pill. It's my horse that's a poop about it.
    His pills I *have* to grind up. He is good about taking them in
    applesauce but forget jelly unless it's a jelly donut....I once caught
    him picking out a jelly donut from a boxed dozen. He left all the
    others in tact. But when he bit down on the donut the jelly oozed out
    the other end. I think he would've given anything for fingers then!
    
    Sandy, how about putting some warm water in the sink or bucket (deep 
    enough to soak the leg but not the whole cat - oh yeah, he's not a 
    whole male anymore ;^)  Let him hang his front paws over the edge, 
    and entertain him. Or you may want to hold his two hind legs together
    with one hand and dunk Bucko in the sink or bucket. Make sure you water
    proof the area and wear armor! (Might want to get a helper too)
    
    Good luck!
    Roslyn

    
    I spoke to the vet about the pill I was trying to give Bucko...
    and he laughed and said it was one of the most bitter tasting pills
    but he needed it.  (no liquid available)  So...it didn't work grinding
    it up in Tuna (he smelled it and walked away) so we coated it with
    butter...surprised him and popped it in!  It has been working...and
    he hasn't limped since last Thursday!
    
    Any time we put Bucko near water...he flipped so we continued to
    use the warm face cloth with Epson Salt.
    
    And your right..Bucko is no longer a whole male!!  (smile)
    
    Sandy
                                            

    I recently taught a friend, June, how to pill a cat.  Her cat "Crash"
    was being treated for enteritis.  June was doing pretty well with the
    pilling most of the time (for a beginner).  The larger pill went 
    down pretty easy, the pill that had to be given in quarters was the 
    toughest.  June had to keep changing her methods of pilling because 
    Crash would catch on to each method and figure out a way around it.  
    
    It was near the end of the treatment that Crash figured out she could 
    hold her tongue up against the roof of her mouth and keep it there when
    June opened her mouth to give her the pill.  June tried everything to
    get around that tongue but Crash was not going to have another pill if
    she had any say in the matter.  June finally ended up giving up on the
    pills for that day.  
    
    I'm happy to report that Crash has recovered from her enteritis.  I'm 
    not sure if June will ever recover from this pilling experience though.
    
    Jan                                          
    

    Re: .20
    
    Sigh.  Sweetie has figured out that if he wiggles his tongue up and
    down very quickly a pill has almost no chance of getting in.  Got a way
    around that one?
    

    Isn't it a natural reaction for a cat that has had it's head tilted
    backwards to drop his/her mouth open and also to relax the tongue?  I
    just tried it on two out of three of ours and sure enough, you can see
    right in.  Lea is still trying to figure out what I was doing looking
    inside her mouth.  She's probably mad that she didn't think fast enough
    to bite my fingers off.  :^)
    
    Sounds like we need 4 hands each and a tongue depresser (maybe a
    popsicle stick) to hold the tongue in place.  Better yet, liquid forms
    of medicine or drugs that taste like treats.  Then again, that's too
    logical!  Another trick we used to try was a small piece of lunch ham
    wrapped around the pill.  It works the first two or three times but
    then they catch on.  The trick is to find new surprise attacks at least
    three times a week.  :^)

    I find that blowing very gently on the cat's nose once the pill is in
    their mouth will cause a reflex swallow.  Voila, no more pill to worry
    about. :')
    
    Jo

    re: 23
    
    It's a good thing I do this in private .... :-)
    

    Also, tilting the head up and massaging the throat works too.
    
    Mr. Misha takes even the bitterest pills ground up in baby food.
    Guess I've got it made! :-)
    
    Mary-Michael

    re: .23
    
    sure that method works great for getting the pill down....but it sure
    dosen't keep it down ;^)
    
    Michele & Nippa (Who_can_barf_on_command)
                             

Boy, am I lucky!  Both Biff and Beth are very, very easy to pill.  With Biff,
you just open his mouth, pop in the pill, close the mouth, then give him a
kiss.  It's the only thing he does calmly.  Beth is the same way--I guess it's
something they both got used to as kittens.  Beth, however, is eternally
grateful that I no longer muck with her eyes...

Mary

    re: .<a few back>
    
    You want liquid medication instead of pills?  Overall that's probably a
    good idea, but let me tell you a little story...  I had to give Kizzie
    liquid amoxicillin after her drains were installed (:^)).  She did not
    like is at all. She kept turning her head, and ended up with pink
    liquid running down the collar/cone she was wearing and into her fur. 
    After the first time, it was easier; I had to hold her body between my
    knees and gently steady her head with one hand while putting the
    dropper in her mouth.  Of course, I didn't think about putting it in
    her food.  She's a little piggy, and would have eaten it for sure!
    
    When Blaise had an URI, he was a little angel when it came to his
    ??cillin; it was in a gelled liquid form and he loved.  He would just 
    lick it right out of the dropper/syringe.  But as soon as he was
    feeling better, he didn't like it anymore -- he must have known that it
    was helping him get better.
    
    re: .27
    
    You think you have an easy time pilling your cats, but I bet it's not
    as easy as pilling my sister's dog!  Shasta (the dog) has to have
    Primidone twice a day (to control seizures).  Well, I was sitting on
    the couch and she was in the dining room when it was time to give her
    the pill.  I said, "Shasta, you want your pill?" and I tossed it to
    her.  The dingy dog got up and ate the pill!  Sometimes she chews them,
    but usually (because they're small) she just swallows them.  Too bad
    the cats aren't this easy!!
    
    
    --Michelle

    
    My adopted 12 year old neutered male was just diagnosed with an
    abscess.  The vet gave him both an antibiotic inkection and a rabies
    booster immediately and some "CLAVAMOX DROPS" (Amoxicillin, etc) for me
    to give him every 12 hours, along with periodic application of hot
    compresses.
    
    I have a couple of ignorant owner questions - first, the directions say
    to "reconstitute" the medication by adding water and refrigerating. 
    I've done both, but the vet didn't specifically mention my having to do
    that, and the nervous novice in me needs confirmation that the "RTFM"
    (in this case "RTF bottle") method was correct although not specified.   
    
    Secondly, I had been away all last week, and noticed both my cat's
    lethargy and the rather large sore the minute I got home last night,
    which prompted this morning's emergency visit.   When I called my cat
    sitter, she said that she had noticed a "small bite" on Tuesday
    (today's Saturday) and that he had been "quieter than usual" all week.
    My vet mentioned that he should have been brought in sooner, and that
    he may need surgery because of the delay in seeing him.  He had a very
    high fever when I brought him in this morning.
    
    I intend to be direct with my cat sitter about all of this, and I
    probably won't use her again, but I wonder what others' experience with
    cat sitters has been, and am I over-reacting to have expected a more
    immediate reaction from her?  I always leave an account "open" with my
    vet when I'm away.
    
    The vet warned me that he wouldn't begin acting better for at least 12
    hours, so I'll be watching him closely, but I wonder if someone can
    give me advance warning about what the necessary surgery would be, and
    how an "older middle-aged guy" like my 12 year old will do. Any do's
    and don't's of anesthesia with an older cat?
    
    Thanks for any info - and yeah, this baby is an indoor cat from now on,
    whether Mom's home or not!
    
    Wendi

    
    Rippin (the cat in .-1) is doing a ton of sleeping, only getting up to
    use his box, and only eating when I bring food to him.  His sore looks
    like a human bruise, (black and blue) but I have been able to get the
    antibiotic in him, and his wound  might be less swollen, hard to tell. 
    He is limping when he does move.  Referring WAY back to .1, what are
    the indications of a systemic infection?  This guy hates having his
    temperature taken but the vet could tell he was feverish the moment she
    touched him.  He doesn't feel warm to me now, but are there places that
    would be particularly warm if he was still very feverish?  Because I
    think if the fever is still high this afternoon, he's going to the
    Animal E-room.
    
    This is the first time this guy has been this sick since I've owned
    him, and he's behaving way "sicker" than I've ever seen a kitty behave.
    
    Again, war stories, ideas welcome; I'm going to err on the side of
    caution regardless.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Wendi

    Before I learned how to treat them myself (from my vet), my cat had 4
    surgeries for abscesses.  He has very long hair, so I didn't see the
    lumps until it was too late.  The surgery consisted of lancing the
    wound, and inserting a hollow tube (drain) into the wound to keep it
    open.  I had to flush the wound several times a day with hydrogen
    peroxide.  After 10 days the vet removed the drain and instructed me to
    continue to scrub the area and remove any scabs.  The idea was to keep
    the wound open to allow any fluid build-up to drain and prevent a
    recurrence of the abcess.  Cats get them easily from puncture wounds
    from claws, usually, but also bites.  The punctures heal rapidly, since
    they are small, and the fluid builds up under the skin and gets
    infected.  My cats first abscess was very serious - he had been a stray
    and was suffering for several days before I could catch him and get him
    some medical attention.  He was quite lethargic and sick, but within 48
    hours the antibiotics got hold and he improved rapidly.
    Sarah

    My vet adds the water to the amoxycillin before giving it to me.
    If there was no water in it then yes, you were probably right
    to add water.  If it was already a liquid then you may have diluted
    it by adding more water.  Call your vet's office and ask if you are
    unsure if what you did was correct.
    
    Jan

    
    Thanks for the info - Rip is much better - he turned the corner on
    Monday morning, and we went for our reheck today; fever normal,
    wound beginning to lift and heal.  He's still not eating as much as
    usual but the vet says that's normal too.  
    
    re: -1
    
    I actually did call the animal emergency room on Saturday once I saw
    that the seal was broken on the amoxycillin and it was liquid, and got
    a new supply.  Ny vet had already "put it up" for me.
    
    Rippy and I thank you for your help,
    
    Wendi

    Poor Spike, 20+ pound Maine-Coon wannabe, went in for abscess surgery.
    He got out of the house Wednesday night, and immediately got into a
    fight.  The wound is just under his jawline, so a cone can't be put on.
    Spike is huge, and long-haired.  You wouldn't believe how funny he
    looks with his head and neck shaved!  When he was checked out prior to
    surgery, they discovered a few more punctures and scratches hidden in
    his fur, so they shaved it all off to treat all the spots.  Imagine a
    large, long-haired cat, and substitute a tiny shriveled apple where it's
    head should be.  That's Spike!  I swear he's embarassed.  He was also
    dusted with anti-microbe powder all over his head and neck in case he
    scratches at the healing wounds, so his shrunken head is also
    fluorescent yellow!  
    A quick question - when I flush the drain, am I flushing THROUGH the
    drain, or along the sides of the drain?  Seems like I should be
    flushing along the length of the drain to actually get the peroxide
    INTO the wound.  Flushing the hole in the drain only cleans out the
    tube. I should be more concerned with cleaning out the wound, right?
    Right now I'm doing both. (when in doubt, do everything!)
    Sarah

    
    Yes, you should flush out around the drain and make sure that you can
    move the drain.  (Wiggle it or rotate it so it doesn't get stuck to the
    wound.) You should also flush the drain itself to prevent any "build-up
    from clogging it.
    
    Feline Helpful,
    
    (Hope Spike is better, don't forget to tell him how wonderful he looks,
    because he *really is embarrassed* (I swear they know somehow!) and he
    will be fine, fingers and paws crossed for a speedy recovery!)
    
    Sue & Crew

EG, we use a beige-collored, very flexible tube (whose name escapes me now but
I could have told you a week ago ;-), or smaller, hard plastic tubes for
hematomas. In both cases the drain has no holes so things can't build up inside
of 'em. The drains are usually sutured into the skin to prevent them from
falling out, so the "wiggle" will work better than the "rotate."

						Trace

    Thanks!  This one is the flexible tube, sort of like a super-thick
    latex glove finger.  It doesn't appear to be sutured to the skin, but
    there are stitches around it to keep it snug.  
    Sarah

    Well, Spike's abscess looks pretty good, nice and clean. And he's
    getting his meds on schedule.  But I couldn't get him out from under
    the bed this morning, and he never goes under the bed (too big - don't
    know how he managed).  He had the surgery on Monday. Shouldn't he be
    feeling better by now?  He goes back in on Saturday for the drain
    removal and check-up, but I'm a bit concerned about his hiding.  He did
    eat yesterday, but not this morning.  He also had all his booster
    shots, so maybe he's just still feeling lousy from all the meds and
    the surgery?  
    Sarah

    Sarah....I would call the vet just in case an infection has
    set in!!  Is he already on antibiotics??  In my experiences with 
    abscesses, normally the kitty feels "much" better once the abscess 
    has the drain in it.  Of course...there are probably exceptions!!
    
    Anytime one of my furfaces hide...I always "think" the worse because
    that is NOT normal behaviour for my crew!!!
    
    Sandy

    
    
    Aside from the obvious that there might be infections an all, in my
    expereince, I know that cats are very consious of their looks and 
    cutness ;-) I mentioned in the rathole not when our Ziba was sprayed
    with flea spray and her coat turned real mangy, she was no where to 
    be fund. She was hiding in closets and under the bed etc. She was 
    also only eating enough to sorvive and go back into hiding. One 
    nice shampoo to make her pretty and fluffy again and she was out on 
    the bed grooming again.  Poor baby Spike, keep asuring him that he is
    still cute and a hunk, it might take a while before all the hair 
    grows back. 
    
    Shaw 

    Spike is on antibiotics - that pink stuff 3 times a day. His eyes are
    clear, and he purred up a storm as I chatted with him under the bed. He
    just wouldn't come out.  That's usually Brutus' spot, so maybe there is
    a territory thing going on that I missed?  Brute' has been extremely
    upset by Spike's appearance and smell.  He has been growling at him
    since he came home.  Maybe Spike is launching a peaceful sit-in to
    force Brute' to recognize him?
      
    Gee, maybe Shaw is right.  Maybe he got a look in the mirror? 
    
    I hope he's just having a "blue" day with the surgery and booster shots
    and medication, and it's raining like crazy out. Maybe he has an upset 
    stomache?  My husband is home today, so if he takes a significant turn
    for the worse I'll run him in tonight.  
    

    
     
    Sarah,  if he smells different, then Brute and maybe the other cats
            might not accept him easily. It might not be a bad idea
            that once his infection has dried up to wash all cats with 
            same fragrance shampoo. 
    
    Shaw

    Yeah, he smells like the vet's office!  The dogs and the other cat are
    horrified by that smell.  That automatically makes him an outcast!
    Sarah 

    I think I'd call the vet just incase. I'm a little puzzeled though that
    the cat got his shots whenhe is on antibiotics. I brought Harry in for
    shots and chack up a coupld of weeks ago. He broke a tooth and as a
    result, had a mild infection with a fevor. The vet put him on
    antibiotics and didn't want to give him his shots until the after the
    pills are all gone.
    
    Deb

    Spike is apparently on the mend.  When I got home last night, he met me
    at the door, meowing his head off (he wants to go out - in your dreams,
    Spikey!!!).  He was chasing the dogs and cat around, playing with his
    toys, eating like a pig.  Guess whatever was bothering him has passed.
    He was purring while I cleaned the drain last night and this morning.
    Happy to be feeling better, I guess!  Thanks for the notes and
    encouragement, here and off-line. 
    Funny, with his head shaved and all, I notice just how many scars he
    has from the various fights he has been in.  He was a stray before I
    took him in 5 years ago.  He was already neutered, so somebody
    somewhere took responsibility for him before he showed up at my house.
    Maybe neutering only takes the fight out of the cat if he always has a
    safe haven? I guess I'm saying a neutered cat who has to fend for
    himself as a stray will learn to fight, diminished hormones or not?
    Sarah

    Well...it's been a few years since I have had to deal with
    Abscesses...but Barkley came home Saturday night with this
    huge bump on the outside of his ear.   It seems this abscess appeared 
    out of nowhere!!!
    
    So off to the vets we went last night, but while we were in the
    car the abscess broke and started to drain on it's own. (which is
    actually good news)  The vet put him on antibiotics and recommended 
    that we clean it twice a day with warm water and Epson Salt.   The
    key to an abscess is to keep it open and let it heal from the outside
    in!!   This isn't the hard part because Barkley lets us handle him
    with no difficulty...the hard part is keeping him inside for a few
    days to give it a chance to heal.  If the wound starts healing to
    quickly...we will need to have the vet put a wick in it....
    
    Sigh...it's always something at my house!!
    
    Sandy
    

    Hi Sandy,
    Lucky it opened up on it's own!  Saves that surgery bill $$$
    I wonder why Epson salts?  Maybe it's a drying agent?  My vet always
    insists on hydrogen perodixe, for everything.  That bubbling really
    bothers poor Spike, more so that any other part of the process. Maybe
    I'll try Epson next time (I'm sure there will be a next time - that's the
    way my luck runs : )
    Sarah

    My vet also tells me to use hydrogen peroxide, too. For what it is
    worth, if your cat has an abcess, often a hot compress will open it up
    for you. It is worth trying that before going to the vet (just to save
    the surgery cost; you'll still have to get antibiotics).
    
    good luck,
    Deb

    I have used Epson Salt on other abscesses and it worked wonders...
    I believe it helps keep the wound open and draws out the infection.
    I did specifically ask if I should use the peroxide on it to
    clean it out completely...but the vet recommended just staying with 
    warm water and epson salt.  
    
    So far the bump is gone...and it's just an open wound!  He's being
    such a good boy too.....
    
    The sad part is I probably could have saved on the vet bills because
    I have amoxicilian at home...but Barkley was due for his retesting
    for Feluk/FIV and all his shots, so we brought him anyway.  As well as
    at the time I only saw a bump...and of course my mind thought tumor!!!
    It's been awhile since I have dealt with abscesses!!
    
    Sandy
    
    
    

My vet. has told me that most abscesses are caused by bites (bacteria in mouth)
where I always thought it was from claw-punctures....

I've found most often I can find that little tuft of fur that's attached to
the little scab that's formed over the little hole where that damned tooth 
went in and when I pluck the tuft-n-scab off the abscess will drain through 
the same hole that started it.  From that point on it's warm-n-wet compresses 
to keep it open and hydrogen peroxide.

-

After a stay at the vets while we were on vacation one of our cats had a 
"don't touch me" spot on his fore-leg.  I felt no abscess so off to the vets for 
a quick exam., an anti-inflamitory shot and some antibiotics.  He seemed to 
recover almost immediately but......... a week later I found a nickel+ sized
furry-scab on his fore-leg from what MUST have been an abscess.  Well he wasn't 
tender to the touch at all, I clipped the fur all 'round and then shaved the 
sight for a good look-see, soaked the scab with warm water/wash cloth for 
fifteen minutes but it was well enough attached that, although all the edge 
was lifted, it would not come off.  I soaked it daily for three days and ended 
each soaking with Hydrogen-P.  On the third day enough of the edge had lifted 
so that I trimmed all 'round to remove the free-edges and the next day he'd
done the rest.  I'm just hoping that the anti-biotics he was on (and has had 
again for the past five days) were sufficient to prevent an infection from 
healing within the wound 'cause THIS one definitely healed from outside to 
in.......