Also, this bleeding is considered a sign of weakness by a rival. Cats can often get into fights with other animals, especially other cats, and they will have the wounds to show for it. My cat has been injured in a fight, what should I do? Never use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning a drained abscess, since this will delay healing and can worsen the problem. Blood tests can be performed to diagnose these viral infections. How do cats get infections? Cat bites leave small punctures in the skin which rapidly seal over, trapping bacteria beneath the skin of the victim. If you know that your cat has bite wounds from a fight, antibiotics given within 24 hours will usually stop spread of the infection and prevent the development of an abscess. It’s likely they’ve inherited this behaviour from their wild ancestors as cats in the wild who are suffering from an injury will often try to hide it in an attempt to dupe predators into thinking they’re not vulnerable. Different types of wounds require different methods of accomplishing these goals. Cats are very territorial. These wounds frequently result in an infection that can be quite debilitating, especially if left untreated. Locations + Hours × Lower Hutt Find Us. When cats fight, they use their teeth, which can lead to bite wounds. As a result fight wounds are common in cats. Just bear in mind this may lead to a dangerous delay in treatment in domestic cats. Cat Fight Wound Infections Cats are territorial animals and will fight with other cats to establish territory or to defend existing territory. In the process of defending their 'borders', cats often end up with wounds and in some cases the wounds become infected. If the wound is on your cat's paw of foot, swap out the kitty litter for newspaper, to avoid litter particles from irritating the wound or causing an infection. Cat bites and other fight wounds are so common in cats because cats are territorial by nature. Bite wounds can also take the form of punctures with little to no bleeding. If another cat invades this territory, he will defend it by fighting. Cat owners need to know why these wounds occur, what they can do to prevent these injuries, and how to handle wounds when they happen. If you heard a cat fight, or your cat comes back limping, then check the cat over for signs of trauma. Our vets regularly see wounds as a result of cats fighting with each other, although cats are also occasionally bitten by dogs and rodents. A persistent draining wound may indicate that a foreign body such as a broken tooth, a claw, or some soil is present in the wound and may require surgical exploration. Wear gloves when you care for your cat's wounds. … Learn more about keeping your cat safe from fight … Cats will be cats and wounds from fights with other felines are common. The familiar sounds of late night cries and squeals are often the first obvious sign that a cat f Fighting - cat wounds, infections abscess, cellulitis from feline fights | Pascoe Vale Vet Hospital VIC They fight with other cats to protect or acquire more territory. As soon as you detect a wound to your cat, you must disinfect it and, depending on the severity observed, you should go to the veterinarian. Bite wounds, especially small puncture wounds, are highly likely to become infected due to bacteria from within the cat’s mouth contaminating the wound. Other wounds can be severe enough to require sutures and more intense emergency care. Cats lick open wounds for a wide range of reasons. The most common injury of cats is the cat fight abscess. Swelling and pain at the puncture site are the most … Our emergency vets, vet nurses and support staff are all encouraged to provide insightful, evidence-based advice and content for our website. These wounds can remain hidden by hair. 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