What is an abscess?

An abscess is a pocket of pus.

Many pet owners will be familiar with abscesses in the skin, which are the most common type
seen in our pets.

Abscesses can form anywhere in the body: tooth roots, anal sacs, behind the eyes, or in deeper organs in the chest or belly.

Why do they happen?

Abscesses form when bacteria get into the body tissues.

Depending on the type of bacteria and how deep it is, an abscess may develop.

Bite wounds are a common cause of abscesses, especially in cats!

Infection can be caused by stick wounds or other penetrating injuries, diseased teeth, ear infections,
impacted anal sacs or inhaled objects such as grass seeds.

The abnormal tissues of a tumour can also be prone to forming abscesses.

Signs that your pet has an abscess will vary depending on where the infection is.

Most pets have an obvious area of painful swelling that is warm to the touch.

It may feel firm, or soft and fluid.

Sometimes the swelling may burst, leaving a wound with discharging pus and blood.

Abscesses that form in the chest or belly are more difficult to diagnose with vague or non-specific symptoms such as reduced appetite, tiredness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or changes to their breathing.

These pets will usually need blood tests and scans to diagnose the abscess.

How is it treated?

Treating an abscess requires removing the pus and treating the infection.

Skin abscess can be lanced and flushed, while other types of abscess may require surgery to remove a foreign body, diseased tooth, flush an infected anal sac, or remove deeper tissues.

Pets will usually have antibiotics for anywhere from a week to several weeks depending on where the abscess is and what has caused it.

Pain relief is always necessary as abscesses are painful.

Although any pet can develop an abscess, cats are notoriously prone to them.

This is often due to fights with other cats, but may also be due to wounds and injuries picked up when they are out and about or hunting.

In most instances an abscess is straightforward to treat and most abscess are usually a one-off infection.

There are some cases where a pet may get repeated abscesses:

• untreated dental disease
  
• repeatedly impacted anal sacs
  
• if they have a foreign body within the tissues (ie a grass seed or
  piece of stick)

In these cases, or where an abscess is found deep within the chest or belly, further treatment and surgery
may be required to resolve the infection.

Cats and Abscesses

Although any pet can develop an abscess, cats are notorious for them, probably due to their lifestyle.

Injuries from fighting with other cats, wounds from prey while hunting, or injuries picked up while prowling through shrubs and woods are all prone to starting an abscess.

If your cat is prone to abscesses then you will be familiar with the signs.

It may help to check your cat daily for any wounds.

If you find one, do your best to keep it clean, even flushing it if possible.

This may help to reduce or prevent an abscess forming.

If you do notice swelling or pus then get him checked over by the vet.

Tooth root abscesses form when bacteria enter through a chipped or fractured tooth.

Severe gum disease can also allow bacteria to infect the tooth roots.

Signs include pain when eating, reduced appetite, a lump on the face and bad breath.

Your vet can identify the abscess after an exam and dental xrays.

Treatment requires removal of the infected tooth as well as pain relief and antibiotics.

Checking your pet’s teeth regularly and brushing them daily can help reduce the chance of him developing a tooth root abscess

Anal Sac Abscess

This is an infection in the small sacs which sit on either side of a dog’s anus.

These sacs should empty when the dog goes to the toilet, but if they become blocked and impacted, or if bacteria enter the sac then it can become infected and develop into an abscess.

Anal sac abscesses are extremely painful and most dogs will need strong pain relief before
they will tolerate being examined.

Anal sac abscesses are usually treated by flushing with sterile saline to remove the infection and then a course of antibiotics and pain relief.

Sometimes vets will flush antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops into the anal sac to help treat the infection.

If you notice your dog is uncomfortable with his anal sacs then take him to have them emptied quickly to reduce the chance of an abscess forming.

Key Points

• An abscess is a pocket of infection caused when bacteria get into the body tissues.
  
• Abscesses can occur anywhere but are especially common in the skin, teeth and anal sacs.
  
• Signs of an abscess include pain, swelling, and a discharge of pus and blood.
  
• Although any pet can develop an abscess cats are especially prone to them due to their lifestyle.
  
• Treatment of an abscess requires draining the pus and flushing the wound as well as antibiotics and pain relief. Abscesses in deeper tissues may be more difficult to identify and require scans and surgery to treat.