Absesses
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An Abscess develops when germs get caught under the skin and there is nowhere for the infection to drain as it festers. An injury or sore that breaks the skin can easily cause an abscess.
Dogs aren't affected quite as often as cats. Dogs tend to get abscessed anal glands more often than cats do though. When a cat is bitten or scratched by another cat, the wounds leave tiny holes that seem designed to abscess, because cat skin heals very fast and seals in the bacteria from the injuries. Cat abscesses are almost always on the head, rump or paw, depending on whether the cat won or lost the fight. Often, you won't even notice the abscess until the pet limps because it will be covered well by the fur.
With an abscess, pets often develop a fever of 104-106 degrees. They will have a hot, red, swollen area, or the sore ruptures and drains smelly yellow, green or bloody pus.
Abscesses are extremely painful. They can also eat away the surrounding tissue and leave nasty scars if they aren't treated promptly. In rare cases, the abscess can rupture inward instead of outward and infect the entire body.
An abscess is more dangerous in the summer months when flies are around more. Flies are more than just a filthy nuisance, especially for pets who have draining cuts or wounds. Flies lay eggs in open wounds, and within 12 to 24 hours, the tiny larvae, hatch. It only takes 4-5 days for maggots to grow from 1 to 2 millimeters to an inch or more, since they eat so much. They live off the drainage and dead tissue from infected wounds. At any sign of an abscess, you must get your pet to the vet. The wound will need properly cleaned, and the animal may require antibiotics, such as
Cephalexin, as well. Most pets with an abscess need antibiotics for 10 days.
Depending on how deep or large the abscess is, your vet may stitch the wound or put a soft latex tube drain under the skin. The drain ensures that the wound won't heal over and abscess again. Stitches should stay in place for 1 to 2 weeks, and the drain should be removed in 24-72 hours, depending on the amount of drainage.