When cats are curious about their surroundings, they may get hurt. Veterinarians from the cat wound care centers discuss the most frequent wounds seen in cats, their treatment, and when it’s best to take your feline friend to the Vet.
Wounds Sustained by a Cat
Cats, curious and exploratory creatures, are just as liable to get hurt indoors as when they venture outside. These injuries are common in cats that have fought with other felines, trod on something sharp, or had an object lodged in their paw. Some cuts and scrapes are light enough to heal at home, but anything more serious requires the attention of a vet.
Even minor wounds can become infected if bacteria and viruses are allowed to enter, so if your cat gets hurt, it’s best to remain calm and get medical attention immediately. Wounds that go untreated might progress to more severe conditions.
Signs of Cat Wounds
When a cat is hurt, it cannot be easy to tell. As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to keep a close eye out for physical symptoms of harm, such as:
- Limping
- Bleeding
- Skin tears
- Tenderness
- Pain
Untreated wounds can progress or become infected, leading to further complications and symptoms like the ones listed above if not caught in time.
- Abscess
- Fever
- Pus/Discharge
Common Wounds in Cats
It’s possible that your cat has one of the following conditions if it’s showing any of the above signs:
- Scratches
- Hotspots
- Cuts
- Ulcers
- Scrapes
- Burns
- A Rash Appearing on Your Skin
- Bug Bites
How to Take Care for Cat Wounds?
An injured cat’s immune system immediately goes to work to fix the damage and fight off any infections. On the other hand, this isn’t adequate. First aid varies by injury. To properly administer first aid to a cat wound, you should get advice from your veterinarian, who can tell you precisely what has to be done.
If your Cat is Injured, You should Immediately
- Get in Touch with Your Vet- If your cat sustains an injury, don’t wait to contact a vet. They will give you instructions based on the severity of your cat’s injury and the amount of bleeding. Don’t underestimate the significance of carefully carrying out these directions.
- Look for Infection in the Wound- Infection may have occurred if your cat’s wound is more than a few days old. Abscess, fever, obvious discomfort or pain, changes in behavior, and pus discharge are all symptoms of infection.
- Determine the Level of Injury- Your cat’s wound is probably still fresh if you haven’t seen any signs of infection. The extent of the injury should be evident at first glance. If your cat needs a cast, stitches, or surgery, contact your regular Vet right away or take her to the nearest emergency vet clinic.
- Control the Blood Loss- Successfully administering first aid care and controlling any bleeding is essential when treating a small open wound on a cat. Applying direct pressure to the incision with sterile gauze or a clean towel may help stop the bleeding. A blood clot can form in a wound in about 10–15 minutes, depending on its size and location. An emergency veterinarian must immediately see your cat if a blood clot isn’t forming.
When Should you Take your Cat for Checkups?
Take your cat to the Vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms listed above (infection, severe bleeding, broken limbs, fever, or other severe damage).
Typical Reasons, Why Feline Skin Wounds Occur?
Cats, particularly outdoor cats that have not been neutered and hence are more likely to fight with other cats and animals, can sustain injuries during these encounters. However, injuries can also be caused by being hit or falling.
As with humans, cats can get burned, and we may also have to treat wounds caused by some cats’ stress-related behavior of excessive scratching or licking. Next, we’ll go over some primary cat wound care for felines, including how to clean the area and administer any appropriate home remedies.
You can also read Dog Wound Care.
How do You Handle a Life-Threatening Injury?
In cases where it is immediately apparent that the wound is severe, prompt veterinary attention is essential—disfiguring eye injuries and damages that refuse to heal rank among the worst possible outcomes. Therefore, it is recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible for treatment.
Suggestions for Keeping Wounds Tidy
After attending to any wound, no matter how slight or severe, the surrounding area must be kept clean. Your pet may refrain from licking the damage due to the discomfort associated with its treatment. Cover it with a bandage, or get your pet an Elizabethan collar from the pet store to stop it from getting to the cut.
- Anatomy of a wound: You’ll be better able to decide what to do in the face of an accident if you can first determine what kind it is. Minor wounds in cats may usually be treated at home, giving you a chance to use your cat wound care skills.
- Minimal cuts and scrapes: A cat’s hair can be rubbed off if it rubs against anything harsh. Any pointy object in or around the house or yard is fair game for your cat’s scratching needs. Scratches and abrasions may seem innocuous, but they can cause significant agony to your cat. The application of an antibiotic ointment helps speed up the healing process and prevent further swelling and infection.
- Wounded by a sharp object: Your pet may have been stabbed if it’s been in a fight. If the victim is under enough pressure, bruising can occur at the bite site. A puncture wound is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can quickly cause a life-threatening infection. If your cat has been punctured, you should take it to the Vet so a drain may be put in to assist the wound healing.
Conclusion
Puncture wounds from a battle necessitate prompt veterinary attention. Cat wound care is complicated by the requirement for an experienced veterinarian to clean the injuries and the mystery of what kind of animal the catfights. You may not know if the other cat or dog was vaccinated correctly or if they encountered a potentially rabid animal while outdoors.
Owning a pet is a duty that requires you to know primary care and treatment of ailments such as wounds. Approach treatment gently, knowing your pet is under stress and potentially in pain. Your role as a pet owner is to care for your pet when necessary and seek veterinary aid when issues are likely to occur.
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