Abscess in a Cat's Cheek

If your cat has a swollen lump on its cheek, it may suffer from an abscess due to an injury or a dental problem. When you touch the cat's swollen cheek, it will feel hot to the touch and cause the cat discomfort. Abscesses in cats require veterinary care to eliminate them and provide your cat with relief.

  1. Identification

    • An abscess is a pus-filled sac caused by a buildup of bacteria, parasites or foreign matter under the cat's skin, according to PetPlace.com. Signs of an abscess in your cat's cheek include swelling and redness in the area, a fever and a reduction in the cat's appetite. An injury, such as a bite from another cat or an infection of a tooth, can cause an abscess in the cheek. The cat's white blood cells react to the bacteria or other foreign matter and accumulate in the area, filling the sac until it ruptures and the pus drains.

    Diagnosis

    • To deal with an abscess inf the cheek, bring your cat to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis, as the lump could also indicate a tumor, cyst, hematoma or insect bite, according to the Pawprints &Purrs website. The veterinarian will examine the area, possibly taking fluid from the abscess with a fine needle to test it. He will also inspect the cat's mouth for signs of an abscess under one of the cat's teeth. In some cases, he will perform blood tests to check for other underlying medical conditions that could predispose the cat to an abscess, such as feline leukemia or the feline immunodeficiency virus.

    Treatment

    • A veterinarian treats an abscess of a cat's cheek by draining the pus from it to help clear the infection. He puts the cat under anesthesia and makes an incision in the lump to drain it or may insert a surgical drain; either way, the wound is left open, through the drain or a hole for the infection to seep out. For a dental abscess, he will also remove the tooth after draining the pus. After the procedure, you will need to administer pain medication and antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria from the wound, as directed by the doctor, for usually between seven to 10 days, according to the Vetbase website.

    Warnings and Prevention

    • While the wound drains, protect it from your cat's scratching with an Elizabethan collar. As the infection clears, the wound will close and begin to heal; the veterinarian will remove the surgical drain. Keep your cat indoors to prevent injury from fighting with other cats that can lead to an abscess. Spay or neuter your cat to reduce aggressive fights between cats in a multiple-cat household, recommends the ASPCA. Have your cat's teeth inspected by a veterinarian during its annual check up and have its teeth cleaned as the doctor recommends, to prevent poor dental health.