Chronic Abcess Infections

[blackpanther2731]

Hi - My male 5 year old cat has been prone to abcess infections after being involved in cat fights.  In 2007, he had an abcess in July and then again September.  I had him tested for feline leaukemia and FIV in September; both tests came back negative.  Yesterday (January 1st 2008), he got in another cat fight......I noticed immediately upon his return indoors because he had blood dripping from a puncture wound in his right armpit area.  I had left-over Clavamox on hand from his September ordeal, so I started him on that right away.  I also applied Veriton cream to the area so he wouldn't lick the wound.  Although it remains to be seen if he develops an infection from this latest wound, I am still confused as to why his wounds deteriorate to abcess infections with regularity?????  If he does not have an immune deficiency, why is this the case???  Are there other tests I can do aside from leaukemia and FIV????  It seems to me that my little guy shouldn't be getting such bad infections if he is otherwise healthy.  I have had cats my whole life, and my cats have always been outdoor cats, yet none of the other cats developed abcess infections from their cat fight wounds.

I am so sick and tired of having him on antibiotics every few months.  It breaks my heart, it causes me incredible worry, and it takes a toll on both of our quality of lives.  Please do not tell me to stop letting him outdoors - that is not an option - for various reasons that are too much to explain.  I will say that he is only allowed outside during daylight hours, he is only allowed outside when I am at home, and he has never sustained any of his cat fight wounds while being left to roam at night.  I am diligent about never leaving my house when he is outside, so the night time cat fighting theory does not apply in this case.

I just need to know why he gets sooooo sick from a cat fight??????  Again, we have had tom cats in our family ever since I can remember, and none of them ever needed the amount of vet care this cat needs!  Also, why doesn't he learn his lesson?????  I believe there is a female cat on my street that is responsible for my cat's significant wounds.....so, why doesn't he stay away from her?????  I cannot continue to keep spending $500-$600 every 3-4 months.  If my cat has some form of immune problem - I need to know.  Should I have him tested again for leaukemia and FIV - even though his test results for those were negative in 2007?  Are there other diseases that could be the culprit for his chronic abcess infections?????


Thanks

[Cuddles01]

don't they have shots to avoid feline leaukemia? I could of sworn that they did? I'd have him checked again for it and ask if there's a shot to prevent him from getting it. I think it needs to be done yearly?
My mom's cat died of feline leaukemia and that was the worst i've ever seen. Poor cat was walking in circle, falling down, it was heart breaking. They say there's no cure once a cat gets it, but I swear I thought there was a shot for it. Sorry if that's wrong. My cats never go out due to that disease, but I understand that many cats love the outdoors and understand why cat owners let them out.
Anyways, good luck to you and your cat. Please, ask your vet if there is still a shot for FL.

[aligator79]

Getting them neutered does not always stop the fighting.  It's never stopped any of mine from fighting in the neighborhood- one really likes the raccoon that used to hang around- they foght all of the time.

[feralfriend]

If you get him neuter he won't fight. It's a pretty simple solution. Yes, get him tested again. The virus takes a while to show up on a test. It's a horrible virus, I've watched many cats die from.  Everytime he gets in a fight he risks contracting the virus.  Get him neutered as soon as possible and you will see how much better of a pet he will be.

[Savas]

Cats are prone to getting these types of abscesses, it's a normal, very efficient way of dealing with wounds for them.
I'm not sure what you're calling *alot*, if few times a month from constant fighting wouldn't be alot, considering.

Have you tried letting them heal without the antibiotics? One problem is continual use of antibiotics will depress an animal's abilty to deal with infection over time.

As long as the abscess doesn't appear painful or is going away in a week or two, I wouldn't worry.

You may want to get him fixed if he isn't to curb his aggressive tendencies.