My cat came home with a swollen, bleeding, pus-filled leg wound—what to do?

The cat’s wound now shows a purulent infection, and without prompt professional care it could develop cellulitis or even systemic sepsis. First, take an X-ray to check for a fracture causing the exposed infected wound; if fracture is ruled out, treat the wound: shave the surrounding fur, rinse debris with saline, then disinfect with hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine, apply antibiotic ointment, and finally give oral anti-inflammatories 2-3 times a day while using a collar and restricting movement. If maggots appear, tissue dies, or the wound is large or deep and hard to heal, seek debridement and suturing at a clinic.