Mary Allen
The greatest enemy of the outdoor cat is road traffic. Countless cats die every year as a result of being hit by a car. Quick help can save many a cat’s life. Read how to provide help in an emergency.
Many cats fall victim to road traffic every year. The cats are not always dead immediately after a collision with the car. The cat’s life could often even be saved if help was provided quickly. Read here how to act correctly in an emergency.
Cat Hit By Car – What to Do?
If you witness an accident, take heart. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – the worst mistake is to do nothing.
Above all, keep calm. Hectic, thoughtless action is of no use to the cat and puts the accident victim, other people, and, last but not least, yourself in danger.
If the accident victim is in a dangerous place, e.g. on the roadway, first secure the accident site before you turn your attention to the cat.
If at all possible, you should contact a veterinarian or animal hospital now.
Approach the Injured Cat
The cat must be in shock from the pain and fear after the accident. If you have one, have a blanket or jacket ready when approaching the animal. Because the cat may be beside himself with pain and fear. She might try to flee or attack you. With a blanket, you can not only hold the animal better, but the cover also has a calming effect on many cats. The blanket also protects you from biting and scratching attacks.
Always approach an injured cat slowly, using gentle, soothing words. You can also determine whether the cat is conscious and how they react to your approach.
Provide first aid: Cat is unconscious
For unconscious cats, apply the ABC rule:
- clear airways
- ventilation
- circulation
Clear Airways
So first clear the airways. If you cannot remove a foreign object because it is lodged deep in the cat’s throat, pick up the cat by its hind legs and pat its chest.
Check Breathing and Ventilate if Necessary
If the airways are clear, check whether the animal is breathing evenly. If this is not the case, give the cat ventilation by blowing air into its nose about every three seconds (you can also use a handkerchief).
Check Circuit
To check the circulation, listen to the heart or try to feel the pulse in the middle of the inner thigh.
In cardiac arrest, place the cat on its right side and perform a cardiac massage. To do this, press your thumb rhythmically on your chest just behind your elbow. Don’t use too much force as the cat’s rib cage is very tender and you could break its ribs. It is best if ventilation is continued at the same time as the heart massage.
Don’t give up too quickly – sometimes ventilation and heart massage are still successful after ten minutes.
Treat Injuries First
Then turn to the injuries. The most important thing is stopping heavy bleeding with a pressure bandage. If you don’t have any bandages at hand, try to control the bleeding with your finger.
Always to the Doctor Even Without Injury
If possible, cover open injuries to the cat after an accident with a light bandage. If you suspect a broken bone, don’t waste too much time trying to splint the fracture. Cats usually resist such painful attempts vigorously. The animals could injure themselves even more severely.
It is now much more important to organize transport to the vet as gently as possible. If at all possible, let him know about your arrival now at the latest. A transport basket padded with a pillow or blanket or a cardboard box is ideal. Second, best is a stiff but padded surface, such as aboard. Even a blanket or jacket is better than nothing.
Always take your cat to the vet after an accident. Even if the animal seems to be completely fine. Because it could go into life-threatening shock or suffer from serious internal injuries. Once you get to the vet, he takes over. As hard as it may be for you, try to relax now.
A cat that has been hit should always be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible – even if it doesn’t appear or show any injuries at first glance.
Aftercare After an Accident
Do not let your cat out of the house for the first few days after an accident – even if it appears completely unharmed. Because that’s the only way to keep them under control. This can be very important if the animal has internal injuries that could not be detected during an initial examination.
Observe your cat’s behavior:
- is she eating
- does she have a bowel movement
- Can she urinate?
- Are your posture and gait normal?
- Is she avoiding jumps?
- Does she often bite or scratch a part of her body?
- How does she react to touch?
- Are there any signs of pain?
Check for swelling at least once a day. If the cat has open wounds, check the bandage or sutures. An unpleasant smell, oozing, or pus indicate a wound infection that needs to be treated by the vet.
If at all possible, check the oral mucosa several times a day. It should be pink. Also, measure your cat’s body temperature every day so that you can quickly identify a fever. The normal body temperature in cats is between 38.0 °C and 39.0 °C.
If your pet is injured, your veterinarian will also provide you with additional aftercare tips and instructions. If an uninjured cat shows no symptoms within three days after the accident, you can usually assume that nothing has really happened to it – nothing stands in the way of a return to the normal daily routine.