EMERGENCY huge lump on Marshmallow's cheek

[sirrahved]

She's absolutely going to the vet as soon as I can get her there. I don't have much money, but I'll pull out all the reserves to make her better.

I feel extra bad because I just brought home fosters today. Like a sick cat needs fosters bothering her and stressing her out more!

[sirrahved]

Is it "normal" for an abscess to get this large? It would help me so much to get through till tomorrow to be fairly sure that it's an abscess.

It feels squishy slightly. Maybe like a very filled water balloon?

[Catty1]

Yes, that is MY experience, I can only speak for myself, I am not a vet. Squishy water filled balloon sums it up for me.

Can you look at the flaky spot? Does there seem to be any pus buildup there?(Don't pick at it unless you know what you are doing!)

Is Marshmallow comfortable? That's the most important thing.

Caseysmom had a good point about getting some starter antibiotics - if your vet knows you well, shouldn't be a problem.

If M isn't scratching at it, good. If so...the oil I mentioned may ease the itching.

[Karen]

Is it warmer than the rest of her?

[sirrahved]

I feel so much better.

I'm almost certain it's an abscess. It's quite warm and the back of it is sensitive.

My first thought was that she had cancer... and how LONG this must have been growing... how could I have missed it?

Marsha is my best friend... I can't even imagine what I would do if something happened to her.

Thank you, everyone, so much for your help. I couldn't find anything on the net. I was crying hysterically (still am!) and typing in every phrase I could think of with no results. Your fast and knowledgeable responses helped so much!

It seems to be originating from her mouth, not the little scaly spot. It's most swollen on her jawline.

Now if I can just make it until our vet opens.

[Karen]

Now if I can just make it until our vet opens.

You can do it mom, I know you can. Remember - you not sleeping is not going to help her at all.

[kimlovescats]

I would almost bet that it is an abscess from all the scratching she has been doing! Or maybe another kitty scratched her. They fill with pus very quickly! It will most likely be lanced and drained and she will be put on antibiotics. She is most likely running a fever while her body is fighting the infection. It will be rather nasty and oozing once it is opened, but it will feel much better and heal rather quickly. You will probably get some wound care antiseptic to put on it as well!

edit: Oh yes, you probably need to find out why she is scratching so much. If not fleas, it is most likely earmites!

Hugs to you and kitty!
Kim

[caseysmom]

She will be fine untill morning. When I took potter in he has some scabs on the back of his neck and the vet said to watch for absess, he said that cats can absess very easily from wounds from anther cat.

I know when my rb gigi was bitten by another cat and I took her in they started her on antibiotics before she got an absess.