my wee cat oliver got attacked by a neighborhood cat and got a big infected wound on left leg, he is having to wear a surgical collar to stop him licking wound, but what i thought was strange is that they leave the wound open and today at the vet visit she removed the scab and wound is now open again? Is this normal practice to leave the wound open???

He is also surprisingly fine with the collar but i feel so sorry for him so sad but he being good about wearing it. But did think its strange they leave the wound open but he is on antibiotics so i assume that will stop infection on open wound.

the wound has been left open because cat bites can cause awful absesses (sp) if they had closed the wound the infection would be stuck inside. Best left open.

I would say its perfectly normal thing for the vet too do. A cats teeth have so much bacteria on them so keeping the wound closed will keep bacteria in. Taking the scab off helps healing it up. It encourages new growth under neath it as the scab was still there the new skin under neath wouldnt heal properly. I had the same problem with one of mine. He wasnt in a fight but he as alergys and his scabs had too be taken off he also wore a collar. I am sure he will be ok

Yes, as others have posted, this correct and normal in these circumstances.
It allows the wound to drain of any pus and avoids trapping nasty anerobic bacteria inside where they can very rapidly multiply as these type of bacteria are killed by exposure to oxygen in the air,
Keeping it open also allows it to be flushed if necessary to further avoid infection.
If it was covered or stitched you would be enclosing all the crud (technical term ) and infection pushed in by or from the other cat's teeth.

Hope he recovers soon, glad he's not upset about his collar

Thanks to all, makes sense now to why they leave the wound open, poor wee soul is so bored and just wants to go outside but cant until vet gives the all ok,He even purrs loudly when i put his lampshade collar back on after a feed and a clean...He probably knows its for his own good...

I agree with the above posts, my vet also ripped the scabs off, I was alarmed but he said the same as previous posters have said.

He also suggested I cleaned the wounds with salt water, helps the healing. Mine was upset about not going out, but, as you say, I think they know it is for their own good. He will be as good as new soon.