Male cat health question

Question
Our cat was away for a few days. He is neutered and less than a year old. When we went to pick him up he felt like if he has bubbles between his skin and body. No puncture wounds, but he is sensitive near the front part of body near leg. He kind of feels like tons of small bubbles under his skin.

Answer
First let me apologize for my late reply, apparently they were sending all my questions to spam since I got back from vacation!

He has what we call dermal emphysema. It is a crackling sound under the skin and it is from a puncture wound (most likely a cat fight) but not just from 'air' in there. He could have a potentially serious infection from a clostridial bacteria.

He needs to see a vet asap as this bacteria spreads and cause some serious tissue damage.

Please let me know what happens to him after he goes to the vets.