Q. about Abscesses

Frank had an abscess on his shoulder about two weeks ago. The vet cleaned it
out, put him on antibiotics. We finished the antibiotics a few days ago. The
affected area looks really good; it's dry, scabbed over nicely and looks to be
healing. The curious thing is, the area still feels much warmer to the touch
than the rest of his body. Has anyone ever noticed that with an abscess?

Sherry

An abscess needs to drain and heal from the inside out. If it scabs over
too soon, it can trap the infection inside. A warm, wet compress will help
keep it open so it can drain. I think a call the vet is in order. He may
need to have it reopened and some more antibiotics.
Annie

I understand that. But when the vet opened it up, he debrided the tissue where
now it's just a hole. It's not red, not puffy. I really don't think there's any
more fluid in there. I guess I'll just call them. You may be right, another
round of antibiotics might be in order anyway. The warmness, I would think
would indicate some kind of infection. I just don't know if it's part of the
normal healing process for the area to remain warm.

Sherry

An abscess needs to drain and heal from the inside out. If it scabs over
too soon, it can trap the infection inside. A warm, wet compress will help
keep it open so it can drain. I think a call the vet is in order. He may
need to have it reopened and some more antibiotics.
Annie

I understand that. But when the vet opened it up, he debrided the tissue where
now it's just a hole. It's not red, not puffy. I really don't think there's any
more fluid in there. I guess I'll just call them. You may be right, another
round of antibiotics might be in order anyway. The warmness, I would think
would indicate some kind of infection. I just don't know if it's part of the
normal healing process for the area to remain warm.

Sherry

"Sherry " wrote in message
...
..... I guess I'll just call them. You may be right, another
round of antibiotics might be in order anyway. The warmness, I would think
would indicate some kind of infection. I just don't know if it's part of
the
normal healing process for the area to remain warm.

Sherry

Better to find out if there is a problem now than to have to deal with a
bigger one later. But, best wishes for Frank to be fine, after all, and not
have to take any more medicine.
Annie

"Sherry " wrote in message
...
..... I guess I'll just call them. You may be right, another
round of antibiotics might be in order anyway. The warmness, I would think
would indicate some kind of infection. I just don't know if it's part of
the
normal healing process for the area to remain warm.

Sherry

Better to find out if there is a problem now than to have to deal with a
bigger one later. But, best wishes for Frank to be fine, after all, and not
have to take any more medicine.
Annie

Are you sure it's not just that you can feel the warmth better at
that spot because there's no fur there? Alex's tummy used to feel
much warmer than the rest of him, but it was because he was bald
there. :-)

Laura
--
Well, duh. Double-duh. He has large shaved area around the wound. Put your
hand on his shoulder, and the entire shaved area is warmer to the touch than
the rest of the cat. Not just the wound area itself. I think that's exactly
what it is.

I'll just be shutting up now.

Sherry

Are you sure it's not just that you can feel the warmth better at
that spot because there's no fur there? Alex's tummy used to feel
much warmer than the rest of him, but it was because he was bald
there. :-)

Laura
--
Well, duh. Double-duh. He has large shaved area around the wound. Put your
hand on his shoulder, and the entire shaved area is warmer to the touch than
the rest of the cat. Not just the wound area itself. I think that's exactly
what it is.

I'll just be shutting up now.

Sherry

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav",
itty (Sherry ) artfully composed this message
within on 09
Jun 2004:

Are you sure it's not just that you can feel the warmth better
at that spot because there's no fur there? Alex's tummy used to
feel much warmer than the rest of him, but it was because he was
bald there. :-)

Laura
--
Well, duh. Double-duh. He has large shaved area around the
wound. Put your hand on his shoulder, and the entire shaved
area is warmer to the touch than the rest of the cat. Not just
the wound area itself. I think that's exactly what it is.

I'll just be shutting up now.

Sherry

Sherry it always helps to post your thoughts and get a "reality
check". I don't think too many would think to ask if the fur is
shaved. lol Purrs this is all it is.

--
Cheryl

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav",
itty (Sherry ) artfully composed this message
within on 09
Jun 2004:

Are you sure it's not just that you can feel the warmth better
at that spot because there's no fur there? Alex's tummy used to
feel much warmer than the rest of him, but it was because he was
bald there. :-)

Laura
--
Well, duh. Double-duh. He has large shaved area around the
wound. Put your hand on his shoulder, and the entire shaved
area is warmer to the touch than the rest of the cat. Not just
the wound area itself. I think that's exactly what it is.

I'll just be shutting up now.

Sherry

Sherry it always helps to post your thoughts and get a "reality
check". I don't think too many would think to ask if the fur is
shaved. lol Purrs this is all it is.

--
Cheryl

"Laura R." wrote

As a weird aside, I used to love to rub or kiss Alex's bald tummy
because it was just so soft and warm and cute (had grey spots on it,
just like when the fur was there

Cheeks has the mackeral tabby spots on hers, and the place they shaved her
for her spay is still bald four years later, pink and smooth and spotted.
After I had had her for a few months I was petting her as she lay on her
side and she threw her leg back, clearly wanting me to pet her belly. I had
never seen a cat do this. I think the people at the shelter must have petted
her tummy.