Wounds in cats - First aid

Cats have a very wild essence and they love to do activities that require a certain risk, even if it is inside the house. And although they are very intelligent and cautious, it is very common for accidents to occur that cause certain injuries.

A good human companion must know that these types of events can happen, so they must be informed and have all the necessary knowledge, in first aid, to heal wounds or prevent them from getting worse before running to the vet.

The good thing is that most of them can be treated directly at home. Below in this Blog article, we present a list of the most common injuries in cats and their corresponding first aid.

Read More: http://blog.collaborate.uw.edu/2010/06/capstone-2010.html?sc=1655408013465#c6070329916682010385

Torn and broken nails

The nails of cats are very important, it is one of the features that most identify them and that make them able to play, hunt, climb, mark territory and even walk. A torn or broken nail is considered an injury that must be treated and healed.

It is an injury that at first glance can attract attention because, depending on its depth, it can cause little or a lot of blood to come out. If you notice that your cat is limping, he leaves drops of blood behind, chews his paw or licks himself too much, it is because he has a torn or broken nail. Cats' nails are very delicate and have many nerves, so to any discomfort or injury, the feline can react electrically or even aggressively, when treating it.

If it is allowed to heal, you will need to do the following:

• Stop the flow of blood.
• Dilute peroxide or betadine solution, clean the wound, and then remove all traces of the chemical from your pet's paw.
• Apply baking soda, styptic powder, or flour to seal the area
• If necessary, place a bandage for 12 hours.

 

Insect bites and stings

Although it may not seem like it, insects can also bite other animals, especially cats. And as in humans, this can cause them a lot of discomfort. If your cat is stung by an insect such as a bee or wasp, first aid is based on:

• Patiently search for the stinger and then remove it.
• Apply a cold compress to the area that is inflamed to reduce swelling.
• Observe his behavior and progression in order to see if he is not too listless, his inflammation increases instead of stopping, or he has respiratory problems as an indication of an allergic reaction that deserves to take him to the veterinarian.

If everything is under control, you can make a paste of oatmeal, flour and water, and apply it to relieve itching. You can also use milk of magnesia or aloe vera.

 

Animal bites or puncture wounds

Cat and dog fights are common, but cat-on-cat fights are even more popular. In these fights, some cats come out with strong and damaging bites that result in perforations in the animal's skin. The same happens if they are pierced by some glass on the ground or if they accidentally fall on something sharp.

In these cases, the most important thing is to check the entire body of the cat to find the wounds, because if they are not identified in time, they can form annoying abscesses or be perfect accommodation for all kinds of bacteria. Upon finding the area in question, the first aid protocol will be:

• Clean the area thoroughly
• Apply antibiotic ointment or cream and continually check for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, increased pain, discharge from the wound, and even difficulty moving the injured area.
• Deep wounds may require sutures and oral antibiotics, for these cases, do not try to do it at home and go to a specialist.

General First Aid

So that you feel even more prepared in the event of an accident, we give you a list of general recommendations, depending on the case. Write this on a piece of paper and stick it on your refrigerator as if it were the supermarket shopping list and always have it in sight.

• In case of scandalous blood, stop the bleeding by compressing the wound. Do not use a tourniquet unless it is a serious injury, which should be placed between the wound and the heart, releasing it for a maximum of 10 minutes.
• Before disinfecting wounds, cut the hairs around it, so they don't touch it and stick to it.
• Have an Elizabethan collar or booster stored at home, in case you have to put it on because your pet won't stop licking or moderating the wound.
• If the injury has been near the eyes or other sensitive organs, do not do much, just cover the wound and run to the vet.