BY DR. KAREN ZELINSKI
Columnist
Patient: Sid, a five year old neutered male cat.
History: Sid is mostly an indoor cat, but he goes outside for a
few hours each day. He lives in the suburbs and has had his
routine vaccinations (feline distemper and rabies) regularly.
Sid’s owner noticed that he was limping on his left rear leg for
two days. He also seemed a little lethargic. Sid’s owner
decided to take him to the veterinarian.
Exam: The doctor examined Sid and found that he had a fever
(his body temperature was 104.5, while the normal body temperature of a cat is 99-102.5
degrees Fahrenheit) and Sid’s left rear leg was swollen and painful. The doctor also
detected two tiny puncture wounds on Sid’s left rear leg.
Diagnosis: Sid was diagnosed with a bite wound — abscess.
Treatment: Sid was anesthetized to have his wound treated. The sore left rear leg was
shaved to allow better visualization of the wounds and to facilitate cleaning. Scabs were
removed from the puncture wounds and a large amount of pus was released from the
wound area. The wounds were flushed with an antibacterial solution and during this
process additional infected material was removed. A drain was placed to allow more pus
to leave the wound area. Sid was treated with antibiotics and pain relief medication.
A blood test was performed to check for two common feline viruses, called Feline
Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). The test results were negative. A
follow up test was recommended in six months.
Sid also received a rabies vaccine booster.
Outcome: Sid was discharged from the hospital the same day. His owner was instructed
to give him antibiotics at home daily. He returned to the veterinarian’s office four days
later and the drain was removed. At that point his body temperature was normal and he
was using his leg more. Another follow up visit two weeks later revealed that Sid’s
wounds had healed well and he was back to normal. Sid’s owner was going to try to
keep him inside in the future.
Discussion: Cats that go outdoors are at risk to be bit by other animals. Most often cats
experience bite wounds from other cats in the neighborhood, but wild animals can also
attack cats. Bite wounds frequently become infected. Once the wound is sealed by a
scab, infection becomes trapped under the skin forming an abscess. An abscess is a
localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. This is a caused by a bacterial
infection and is a very painful condition. Often it is difficult to see these infections in cats
because the wounds are hidden by their hair. The veterinarian may need to shave the
hair and place a drain as part of the treatment of an abscess. A drain is a plastic tube that
keeps the wound site open for a few days, while pus is released.
In addition to bacterial infections, another problem to worry about in cats with bite
wounds is viral infections. Rabies is transmitted via saliva and therefore it is extremely
important to keep your cat’s Rabies vaccination up to date. Your veterinarian may still
need to booster the vaccine if your cat has a bite wound. Other serious viruses are
transmitted by bite wounds such as Feline Leukemia and FIV. If your cat goes outdoors
you should discuss vaccinations to prevent these illnesses, based on an assessment of
your cat's risk of exposure.
It is always best to have a veterinarian treat bite wounds in pets as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent your cat from getting bite wounds and abscesses is to keep your
kitty indoors!
Columnist
Patient: Sid, a five year old neutered male cat.
History: Sid is mostly an indoor cat, but he goes outside for a
few hours each day. He lives in the suburbs and has had his
routine vaccinations (feline distemper and rabies) regularly.
Sid’s owner noticed that he was limping on his left rear leg for
two days. He also seemed a little lethargic. Sid’s owner
decided to take him to the veterinarian.
Exam: The doctor examined Sid and found that he had a fever
(his body temperature was 104.5, while the normal body temperature of a cat is 99-102.5
degrees Fahrenheit) and Sid’s left rear leg was swollen and painful. The doctor also
detected two tiny puncture wounds on Sid’s left rear leg.
Diagnosis: Sid was diagnosed with a bite wound — abscess.
Treatment: Sid was anesthetized to have his wound treated. The sore left rear leg was
shaved to allow better visualization of the wounds and to facilitate cleaning. Scabs were
removed from the puncture wounds and a large amount of pus was released from the
wound area. The wounds were flushed with an antibacterial solution and during this
process additional infected material was removed. A drain was placed to allow more pus
to leave the wound area. Sid was treated with antibiotics and pain relief medication.
A blood test was performed to check for two common feline viruses, called Feline
Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). The test results were negative. A
follow up test was recommended in six months.
Sid also received a rabies vaccine booster.
Outcome: Sid was discharged from the hospital the same day. His owner was instructed
to give him antibiotics at home daily. He returned to the veterinarian’s office four days
later and the drain was removed. At that point his body temperature was normal and he
was using his leg more. Another follow up visit two weeks later revealed that Sid’s
wounds had healed well and he was back to normal. Sid’s owner was going to try to
keep him inside in the future.
Discussion: Cats that go outdoors are at risk to be bit by other animals. Most often cats
experience bite wounds from other cats in the neighborhood, but wild animals can also
attack cats. Bite wounds frequently become infected. Once the wound is sealed by a
scab, infection becomes trapped under the skin forming an abscess. An abscess is a
localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. This is a caused by a bacterial
infection and is a very painful condition. Often it is difficult to see these infections in cats
because the wounds are hidden by their hair. The veterinarian may need to shave the
hair and place a drain as part of the treatment of an abscess. A drain is a plastic tube that
keeps the wound site open for a few days, while pus is released.
In addition to bacterial infections, another problem to worry about in cats with bite
wounds is viral infections. Rabies is transmitted via saliva and therefore it is extremely
important to keep your cat’s Rabies vaccination up to date. Your veterinarian may still
need to booster the vaccine if your cat has a bite wound. Other serious viruses are
transmitted by bite wounds such as Feline Leukemia and FIV. If your cat goes outdoors
you should discuss vaccinations to prevent these illnesses, based on an assessment of
your cat's risk of exposure.
It is always best to have a veterinarian treat bite wounds in pets as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent your cat from getting bite wounds and abscesses is to keep your
kitty indoors!
| Case Study - It's Risky Business For The Outdoor Cat! |
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| Dr. Karen Zelinski is affiliated with Animal General Veterinary Hospital at 725 River Road, Edgewater. She graduated from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Dr. Zelinski has two Dalmatians and three cats. |