I’m posting here because I’m really worried about my cat—I have two, Simba and Nala. They’re littermates and they have a bit of a scrap every now and then, but they’re inseparable. My sister noticed this afternoon that Simba has a hole in his leg, and looking closer, I realised it’s actually really deep. I’ve attached a photo for you to see... I’ve looked online and it might be a burst abscess, but I didn’t notice anything before because he’s just been going about his business as usual. I had no idea anything was wrong and I’m wondering how he could have got it? Maybe during a fight with his sister Nala? For info, they’re both neutered. I desperately want to take him to the vet, but my parents really can’t afford it this month and I won’t get my wages for another 3 or 4 days. I’m worried it’ll get worse if I wait until next week? I’m so anxious at the thought of losing him like the other two cats I’ve had, so if you could give me any advice or let me know what you think while I wait to take him, I’d be so grateful!
Note: I’ve put some Betadine on it for now.
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
I had the same problem is what I did is went to the veterinarian in pleasant view and applied for credit (care credit). N. They treated my cat n he is doing well now
Holes in a cat's skin are often caused by abscesses. These usually develop when a wound becomes infected, which can happen after a scrap with another cat, a dog attack, or even being hit by an airgun pellet, for example.
If you notice that your cat has a wound or a hole in their skin, the best thing to do is clean the area with some saline solution, use an antiseptic to disinfect it, and get them to a vet as soon as possible.
Hi there,
If it looks very similar to @Sianac’s photo... it looks a lot like a burst abscess. If your cat isn’t showing any signs of pain, is eating and drinking, playing, and behaving as usual, you can just disinfect the area and put some honey in the hole (it’s perfectly safe if they lick it). But at the slightest sign of infection, get them straight to the vet.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I’m going to take him to the vet as it’s actually quite deep, but it’s not infected at all—it’s looking quite clean, which is very odd.
I hadn't realised this thread was a year old.... it's best to start your own thread in these cases....
As already mentioned, this kind of wound could be caused by an injury—fights, bites, or getting caught on a tree branch or some barbed wire out in the country..
The best thing to do is see a vet if the wound is as deep as it looks in the photo..... at the end of the day it doesn't really matter what caused it, the main thing is getting the cat some relief.
The wound actually looks quite deep... it looks like a dog bite or a burst abscess. The best thing to do would be a trip to the vet so they can put in a stitch or two and get your cat started on some antibiotics. Otherwise, it’s going to take ages to heal and there’s a significant risk of infection.
Check if the wound is oozing any pus or pinkish fluid. In the meantime, you can certainly disinfect it with Betadine (the yellow bottle); it’s used for animals too. You could also apply a thick layer of good quality honey (like thyme or lavender)... it’s excellent for healing and perfectly safe if your cat licks their paw. Always use gauze pads, never cotton wool.
That wound is really deep. You absolutely must take him to the vet. Plenty of vets will let you pay in instalments or will agree to cash a cheque a bit later. I’m not sure if Betadine is suitable for a cat; they can react to products differently than humans do.
