• Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Transferring Medical Records
    • Gentle Handling for Your Pet
    • New Client Form
    • New Patient- Dog
    • New Patient- Cat
    • New Patient- Other
    • Refill Requests
    • Pet Records Sign-up
    • Pet Records Sign-in
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Reviews
  • Services
    • Wellness Care
    • Dentistry
    • Medical and Surgical
    • Radiology
    • Health Certificates
    • Microchipping
  • Veterinary Resources
    • Veterinary Topics
      • Pet Health
        • Chronic Conditions
        • Digestive and Oral Health
        • Diseases and Viruses
        • Pests and Parasites
        • Orthopedics
      • Today's Veterinarian
      • Choosing Your Pet
        • Finding Your Pet
        • Cats
        • Dogs
        • Exotics
          • Amphibians
          • Birds
          • Reptiles
            • Lizards
            • Turtles
        • Small Mammals
          • Ferrets
          • Rabbits
          • Domesticated Animals
            • Prairie Dogs
          • Pocket Pets
            • Chinchillas
            • Guinea Pigs
            • Hamsters
            • Hedgehogs
            • Rats
        • Livestock
          • Cows
          • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
          • Goats
          • Pigs
          • Poultry
          • Sheep
      • Living With Your Pet
        • Bringing Your Pet Home
        • Children and Pets
        • Providing Care
        • Travel
        • Saying Goodbye
      • Newsletter Library
        • Tips for Pet Owners
        • Seasonal Topics
        • Nutrition & Food
        • Recognizing Illness
        • Visiting the Vet
        • Equine
        • Cats
        • Keeping Pets Healthy
        • Fleas & Parasites
        • Pet Dangers
        • Behavior & Training
        • Newsletter Archive
          • Fun with Pets
          • Unbelievable Pets
      • Video Newsroom
        • Health Topics
        • Technology and Science
        • Other Interests
      • Client Survey
      • Pets4Kids
    • Online Store
  • Payment Options
  • Contact Us
City Pets Vet

3521 SE Division St

Portland, OR 97202 US

503-206-4163

  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Does Your Pet Have an Abscess?

Does Your Pet Have an Abscess?

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Cat with an abscess on its neck

Identifying and Treating Abscesses in Pets

Abscesses are caused by bacterial infections that can make your pet very sick. Unfortunately, unlike people, pets don't usually complain when they're hurt or don't feel well. In fact, you may not be aware that your pet isn't well until symptoms become severe.

Learning about abscess risk factors and symptoms can help you spot the signs of the infection and get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

What Do Abscesses Look Like?

A strange swelling or lump on your pet's body may be an abscess. Abscesses may hide under your pet's fur and be hard to spot. If the abscess bursts, you may see oozing pus on your furry friend's body or smell a bad odor. Abscesses can also form deep inside the body where they can't be seen.

How Do Pets Get Abscesses?

Abscesses can have many causes. Your pet may have been injured if it tangled with a wild animal or had a fight with one of your other pets. Breaks in the skin from scratches or bites, even small ones can get infected if bacteria enters the wounds. (Rough play fighting could also lead to scratches or cuts that become infected.)

Some pets are more likely to develop abscesses than others. English Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Chinese Shar-Pei are at increased risk. These breeds have short hairs that can become ingrown easily, according to Dogtime.

Other causes of abscesses include:

  • Impacted anal glands
  • A damaged or decayed tooth
  • Blood infections
  • Sinus or ear infections
  • Pneumonia

What Are the Signs of Abscesses?

Abscess signs vary depending on the location of the abscess. In addition to pus or a foul smell, you may notice:

  • Redness. The skin around a crusted-over wound may look red and feel warm.
  • Licking. Your pet may constantly lick the abscessed area, which can cause hair loss.
  • Fever. The bacterial infection that caused the abscess could cause your pet's temperature to rise.
  • Coughing. Coughing and trouble breathing could be signs that your pet has a lung abscess.
  • No Appetite. When you have an infection and feel awful, food probably doesn't seem very appetizing. Your pet may feel the same way.
  • Facial Swelling. A tooth abscess could cause a lump under your pet's eye or on the lower jaw, depending on the location.
  • Scooting. If an impacted anal gland becomes abscessed, your pet may scoot its bottom along the floor or ground in an attempt to relieve the pain and pressure.
  • Pain. Abscesses can be painful, particularly if they get in the way when your pet walks or moves. If the abscess affects a limb, your pet may begin to limp.
  • Fatigue. Your pet may seem much more tired than usual due to the infection.

How Are Abscesses Treated?

If the abscess hasn't broken open on its own, your veterinarian will perform a minor surgical procedure to drain the pus. Antibiotics will also be needed whether the abscess burst or the veterinarian drained it. The medications kill bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading throughout your pet's body. In some cases, your pet may also need intravenous (IV) fluids or anti-inflammatory medication.

When a diseased or damaged tooth is the source of the infection, your veterinarian will remove the tooth and treat the infection underneath.

How Can Abscesses Be Prevented?

It's not always possible to prevent an abscess, although you can reduce your pet's risk by:

  • Treating Wounds Promptly. If you notice that your pet has an open wound, clean the area with warm water and apply antibiotic ointment. Take your pet to the veterinarian if the wound is deep or won't stop bleeding.
  • Keeping Your Cat Indoors. Fights with other cats are common in outdoor cats. Keeping your pet inside reduces the likelihood that your cat will develop an abscess, be hit by a car, or be accidentally poisoned.
  • Expressing Your Dog's Anal Glands. Clogged anal glands can become infected if they're not expressed. Your pet's veterinarian or groomer can express (unblock) the glands or teach you how to do it at home.
  • Taking Your Pets to the Veterinarian for Dental Care. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar and prevent tooth decay. Severely decayed teeth are at risk of developing abscesses.

Do you think that your pet may have an abscess? Call our office to schedule an appointment for your companion?

Sources:

Dogtime: Abscesses in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

PetMD: Abscesses in Cats, 4/1/16

Animal Planet: Tooth Root Abscess

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Meet the Team

    Read more about our wonderful and caring doctors and staff!
    View Forms
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
    Schedule Now
  • Payment Options

    Learn more about our different options for Payments!
    Learn More

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

Read What Our Clients Say

I love these guys! I was referred to them by my usual vet when they were completely booked and I was in a jam to get my sick kitty checked out before I left town. City Pets Vet worked me in immediately, gave my kitty great care, were very reasonable on pricing (did not ever try to upsell me on services or products), and were SO friendly to deal with. I will definitely go back! I have every confidence in their services.

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More
  • Gastroenteritis in Pets

    Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice ...

    Read More
  • What You Need to Know About Antibiotics

    Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet. ...

    Read More
  • Training Tips for Your Pets

    Has training your pet been a frustrating experience? These training tips may help. ...

    Read More
  • World Rabies Day

    Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28. ...

    Read More
  • Why A Vet Is Your Best Defense During A Zombie Apocalypse

    Could your veterinarian help you survive a zombie apocalypse? ...

    Read More
  • 8 Common Reasons Why Your Dog is Snoring

    Do you know why your dog snores? ...

    Read More

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map