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Treatment

Antibacterial shampoo will be used to cleanse the skin and hair, followed by the gentle removal of infected flesh or abscesses. One or two baths will usually be enough to begin resolving the condition. Consult your veterinarian as to which shampoo you should use.

Following the cleaning, your veterinarian may also prescribe antibiotics to be taken for 10 to 20 days, especially if the infection has become severe. The antibiotic most commonly used is penicillin, however, the following are also used, depending on the circumstance: tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, ampicillin, and amoxicillin.

Your veterinarian will want to see your cat again after two to three weeks, to be certain that the condition has been resolved. If the results are negative, another seven days of therapy may be prescribed.

Prevention

It is possible, though unlikely, that humans can become infected after having contact with an infected cat. If any of the members of your household have compromised immune systems, it is advised that your cat be kept isolated from such persons until the condition has cleared.