If you have a cat that’s injured, it can be quite a stressful situation. The first thing to do is get him or her to a vet as soon as possible. This guide will show you how to treat your cat’s wound at home until you’re able to see a vet.
Use an Antibiotic Cream on the Wound
Antibiotic cream is a mild antiseptic that can be used to help prevent infection. It kills the bacteria that cause infections and reduces inflammation in the area.
When using antibiotic cream on your cat’s wound, you should use a safe product like Triple Antibiotic Ointment for cats. You can also check with your veterinarian before applying any medication.
Apply a small amount directly to the wound and gently massage it into the skin around it. You should not use an alcohol-based product as this can cause further irritation or burning sensation for your cat and may lead them to lick off all of its furs.
Cover the Wound With a Clean Bandage
To cover your cat’s wounds, you’ll need a clean bandage, preferably made from a material that will not stick to the wound. If you don’t have any sterile gauze on hand, regular cotton or gauze can be used.
Make sure your bandage is dry and clean before applying it to the wound. It should also be loose enough for air to circulate your cat’s injury but tight enough that it stops bleeding and keeps dirt out of their cuts. Change this type of dressing at least once every day. If you doubt its condition or efficacy, replace it sooner than later.
Look For Other Injuries
If you find that the cat has suffered an injury, there are a few things to look for. Broken bones can be serious and require immediate attention from a veterinarian or, if you have the training, yourself.
According to PetMD, fractures of the thighbone are most common in cats, followed by shinbone fractures, pelvis, jawbone, paw, and tail fractures. Internal bleeding is also dangerous, especially if it’s severe enough to cause shock. If there are other wounds on your cat, they may also need to be treated.
Apply Pressure to the Bleeding
If your cat has a bleeding wound, you should use clean cloths or gauze to apply pressure. Don’t use your hands, as they can introduce bacteria into the wound. If you suspect the injury may be from a bite, don’t apply pressure.
If possible, you should also put some ice on the injury to slow down blood flow and keep pain levels low. If this is not possible or if it’s an open wound, then make sure that your cat stays warm while they recover from its wounds.
Keep Your Cat Calm
As per Science Direct, traumatic injuries are common in cats, and trauma-related deaths account for 17.2% of the total feline mortality rate.
A wounded cat can become very stressed and nervous, so follow this guide to ensure that you both stay safe until you reach a vet.
- Keep the cat calm: If your cat is injured, keep him in a quiet place where he will feel secure. This will help him recover from his injury more quickly because he won’t need as much energy for self-defense or escape attempts.
- Make sure he eats and drinks regularly but not too much at once: Cats are small animals that need a lot of food to stay healthy, but it’s easy for them to overeat when they’re stressed out or hurt, and the result could make their injuries worse. Make sure that if you give your cat some food or water, it’s in small amounts throughout the day. Not just one big meal all at once.
Get Your Cat to a Vet
According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are 121,461 vets in America.
If you can, take the cat immediately to a vet. If not, try to get them there as soon as possible. Call around and see if any vets are open or if they have after-hours services that can help you.
If not, call around and find out who is best equipped to handle an animal emergency. You may have to wait until morning before anyone can see you or your pet, so make sure that whoever answers the phone tells you this so that there aren’t any misunderstandings about whether or not they can help out today.
If it looks like someone is going to come over and help out immediately, great. But if no one seems like they’re able to right now, ask them what should be done before anything else happens. Do they want an exam done? Is there anything else we need?
Conclusion
After you’ve treated the wound, keep an eye on your cat and make sure that they don’t hide under the bed or go into a closet. If they do, try to coax them out with food or toys. A wounded cat can become very stressed and nervous, so follow this guide to ensure that you both stay safe until you reach a vet.
