My cat has a dry, hard chest wound. Is it serious or will it heal?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Blazko. Poor boy. This could just be from an injury. Given there is no sign of infection, I'd monitor it for now. If it does appear infected (pus, redness, swelling, warmth to the touch), then I'd have him checked out by a vet. I hope this helps!

It appears that the wound is healing properly. I think it unlikely that she will die from this superficial wound. Continue to clean it daily with warm water, and prevent licking since this will delay healing. You can use a topical ointment like Neosporin. If the area around the wound suddenly gets red, swollen, or it oozes a creamy discharge, then Tiger may need evaluation by a vet and a round of oral antibiotics.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is very hard to say based on the pictures alone. If he will let you I would try clipping the hair with clippers (not scissors or a razor) and clean the area with mild soap and water. If there is no open wound or any discharge you can continue to monitor the area. If it's open, oozing, or doesn't heal in 2 days, I would recommend seeing a vet for antibiotics. Also make sure he is eating, drinking, and not lethargic. Good luck and kisses to Charcole!

This could be from a tiff indeed. I would observe it for a few days. If it starts to swell or does not start healing you should have it examined by your vet. If it starts healing it should be fine. Do not put anything on it, just leave it be.

If it is not painful and it is not soft and squishy (like an abscess) and he is eating/drinking and acting normally then I would suggest that you just leave it alone. Looks like he healed up just fine! Best wishes!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is superficial enough that I think it is possibly going to heal on its own with more time. My concern is that it could also get infected. Try to keep the area as clean as possible and try to prevent her from scratching at it. If no improvement is noted in the next few days or it is worsening, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is very hard to tell from the photo what is going on. It is uncommon for cats to get general wounds just by rubbing up against something or scratching themselves - usually a wound is due to direct trauma like a bite from another cat. If he goes outdoors this could very well be the case. This wound may turn into an infection (abscess). At this stage I would just monitor the wound. Do not put anything on it. If you notice any of these things then you need to get him to your vet ASAP. * swelling around the wound * discharge coming from the wound * wound is hot to the touch * Casey stops eating/drinking or becomes lethargic * vomiting or diarrhea Hope this helps. Best wishes.