Happy Pets

Cats are cautious and do not usually take unnecessary risks. They are also very curious and the world is full of dangers, from the juggernaut on the main road to the threaded needle on the carpet, the dog next door to the pot plant on the table. Every owner should know how to deal with minor injuries and administer first aid, though the untrained should not usually attempt more than that. If you do not know what to do to help an injured cat then it is better to do nothing other than see that it does not injure itself further and get professional help straight away. However, immediate first aid treatment can often make a minor contribution to its recovery.

Handling an injured cat

A cat that has been hurt in an accident or by some misadventure will be in pain and frightened. It will be defensive and not likely to be a co-operative patient, especially if you are a stranger. Even a cat that comes to you, its trusted owner, asking for help with a thorn in the paw, or some similar injury, may forget that you are trying to help and lash out with a claw because you hurt in helping. Naturally, you will talk soothingly to the cat and try to gain its confidence, but atowel or coat wrapped around it will restrain it and a pair of gloves will give protection from teeth and claws. A caring owner, dashing into action, may think a few savage bites and scratches small pains if he or she can help the cat, but such wounds should not be ignored. Cats‘ mouths often contain bacteria which can invade a bite wound and, especially if you have not had an antitetanus injection within three years, wounds should be soaked in hot water containing antiseptic and seen by a nurse or doctor. If infection does develop antibiotics may be needed.

Accidents

These come in all shapes and sizes, but those involving motor vehicles are usually the worst. An untrained person will not be able to tell what injuries have been sustained by a cat struck by a car and should not attempt to treat them except to stem any bleeding. Then get the animal to the vet as soon as possible - and not, if it can be avoided, the other way round. It is almost always quicker for you to take the animal to the vet, and if you have warned him that you are on your way he will have time to prepare for emergency action.

The first thing to do immediately after any accident is to keep the victim calm and confined; even a badly injured animal may try to drag itself away to imagined safety. There will almost certainly be shock, producing rapid, shallow breathing and a feeble pulse, often with dilated pupils. Quiet and warmth are the best treatment.

To move an injured cat, lift it by the scruff of the neck to avoid clawing if it is conscious, supporting its rump with your other hand. If the cat is lying on its side and offers no resistance, tuck your hands under its shoulders and pelvis. Either way, the important thing is to keep the cat as still as possible, to avoid exacerbating any internal injuries or causing new ones. Then lay the cat on a blanket or coat, folding it in if it struggles, and place the bundle in a basket or box if one is to hand. You should try to keep the animal’s head lower than the rest of the body to ensure circulation of blood to the brain.

Heavy bleeding can be staunched with a pad of cotton wool or a folded handkerchief. If this is ineffective apply a tourniquet, but do so on the way to the vet — don’t delay your journey by struggling with cloth or belt.

Cats are also at risk of falling from considerable heights. Such falls can often cause severe internal damage as well as obvious external injury and should be treated in the same way as other serious accidents.

Sometimes the cat may seem all right after a fall, get up and walk away, but look out for any sign of broken limbs. In bad falls a cat sometimes dislocates its jaw, which will be evident because it will not be able to close its mouth properly, or may fracture its hard palate. The injury to the roof of the mouth will probably not be evident until mealtime when the cat only takes a little food, then flicks its tongue up to lick food out of its nostrils. With the mouth open you may see a split in the palate which the vet will have to stitch together.

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 1:47 am and is filed under Cages, Cat Litter, Cats, Collars, Dogs, Drinking Fountains, Foods, Kennels, Scratching Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.