Often, the original wound or opening in the skin through which bacteria have penetrated, can be seen. This damage will likely only be detected clinically, later on in the cat's life. It will also shorten the cat's lifespan by a substantial number of years. Sometimes, such Septicemias become overwhelming and actually cause the cat's death at the time of the abscess. Bite wounds in the tail or the limbs may set up a bone infection necessitating amputation unless treatment has begun early.
Bone infections are extremely difficult to treat.
Ear abscesses often spread to the brain causing convulsions and a slow, painful death. Abscess wounds on the flanks or other areas where the skin is loose, may lead to what is called a Cellulitis condition. This means that the abscess, instead of localizing in one lump, spreads under the skin throughout the loose tissue areas. This type of infection is difficult to treat and is often let pass unnoticed by the cat's owner because no definite lump forms as a warning. By the time it becomes evident that the cat is ill or does need veterinary attention, deep infection of a large area may have already set in.