what can i do for an abscess

[maxima952]

i have been caring for a stray cat - i believe it's owner moved and left him behind.

i noticed swelling on his upper limb the other day and over the weekend i noticed the swelling gone and hair missing in its place with puncture wounds - he must have been in a fight - the abscess has drained and it looks like it is healing. what should i put on it? hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial creme?

i can't afford to take him to a vet and my local animal shelter i believe will put him down. he's too good of a cat !

[Mary_NH]

should be on antibiotics to fight off the infection that caused the abcess in the first place. You can put something like neosporin on the wounds but that'll only treat the surface. If the punctures go deep that might not be enough. Don't use peroxide as that can kill healthy skin tissue.
If you really want to help this cat it should be seen by the vet - if you are going to take responsibility for this poor cat you have to take responsibility to ensure it's wellbeing including health.
What's worse...leaving the cat outside to be subject to fights, wounds, infections, parasites, elements of weather - or be PTS by the shelter.
I'd hate to do it too but I'd rather see any animal be PTS that be left outside to survive on its own. There's more to it than just putting out food. I know you are trying to do what is best for the cat...but it needs more and medical care is one of them.

[Chezza]

I agree with Mary on this one. ..The cat needs medical attention, I would also see if you can chase up the SO called previous owners and have them prosecuted... Nothing angers me more than dumping an animal, and they should be prosecuted. It is good that you are feeding the cat, but like mary said, it really needs more than that.. Can you try and catch it.Maybe if you explain to the shelter people that at this point in time you cant afford to pay for any medical treatment but you would like to keep the cat, maybe they might be gracious enough to help out.