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My kittens have pus-filled swellings. Is it serious and contagious?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Exotic Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 17 days old | 16 lbs

Few days ago, we saw a big swelling on 1 of my kitten's hand. Green and yellow pus was coming out from it. Then, we cleaned it by betidine & closed it with tissue every day. But the pus is still coming. Today, I saw a smaller one on the 2nd kitten's hand. I checked the 3rd one & it had one with white pus on its fit. We mixed an Amoxicillin500 pill in their milk. We can't visit a vet. Is it so serious? Did they share a disease? Can they transfer it to humen? What shall we do?Is closure affective?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jeffrey Milner

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on May 7, 2017

If there is green and yellow purulent material coming out of any area on the body, this is a definite sign of infection. If several cats are showing similar clinical signs, then I would say there is a very good chance they are spreading some type of transmissible disease among each other. There is no way of knowing what it might be without a bacterial culture. I can't say whether or not it can be communicable to humans, but probably not. I would still handle them with care until you have managed to clear up the issue. In terms of medication, depending on their size an Amoxicillin 500 is most likely a significant overdose. While penicillin antibiotics might be effective, a much lower dose will be required for a small kitten. The antibiotics will also be needed for an extended period of time versus just a single day. In terms of covering the area, I would not keep it closed. Allowing the material to drain from the area is probably best at this point. I would continue to try and keep it clean, but don't cover it completely. Hope you are able to clear things up.
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