Mary Allen
It happened so quickly. A careless moment, a protruding nail in the wall, broken glass on the floor, or a short fight – a cat can get injured anywhere. Read here how to clean and treat minor wounds in cats.
In general, any injury to cats that is larger than a scratch or abrasion should be shown to a veterinarian as soon as possible – even minor wounds. Because only he can decide whether a wound suture or an antibiotic treatment is necessary. Also, think about your own protection. If possible, wear clean gloves when holding or picking up the cat.
How to Stop Excessive Bleeding From Wounds
If your cat has a large, deep wound, stopping the bleeding is the first and most important step. However, there are two differences here:
- Blood is dark red and is slowly oozing out: venous oozing bleeding – can sometimes be staunched with cold, running water.
- Blood is bright red, squirts out of the wound, the cat is bleeding profusely: make sure to put on a pressure bandage
Putting Pressure Bandages on Cats
To apply a pressure bandage to the cat, cover the wound with sterile gauze. You fasten this with gauze bandages and then press a “printed object” (e.g. a packaged gauze bandage) onto the wound surface. You wrap all of this tightly with an elastic bandage, and now as quickly as possible to the veterinarian or to the veterinary clinic! But don’t forget to call them first. This is the only way you can be sure that the practice is occupied when you arrive there with the injured animal.
Cleaning and disinfecting minor wounds in cats
If the cat’s bleeding from minor wounds has stopped without a pressure bandage, cleaning and disinfection follow. Use scissors, preferably rounded-tip bandage scissors, to trim the hair around the wound. It is best to use running water to clean the wound. If available, drizzle a liquid disinfectant on the edges of the wound. Please do not use powder. Then protect the wound with sterile gauze and a light bandage.
The superficial disinfection of the wound edges does not replace a trip to the vet! He has to probe the wound to determine its extent. If it is really only a superficial small injury, he may only rinse and bandage the wound thoroughly. He has to sew up deep, gaping wounds.
Proper care of sutures in cats
The vet can only sew up a wound in the first four hours after the injury. After this period, he must touch up the wound before he can sew. In the case of injuries in which the surrounding tissue has been affected, he has to operate on the cat. The torn or bruised tissue is removed and the wound is sewn up.
If the wound heals without complications, the stitches can be removed eight to ten days after the stitches. At the same time, antibiotic treatment is indispensable. Because despite careful cleaning and disinfection, germs could remain in the wound, which can complicate the healing of the wound and endanger the health of the cat.
The seam or the edges of the wound itch during the healing phase. Your cat will attempt to lick and nibble at the wound and sutures. She can easily pull the stitches and the wound gapes again. A funnel from the vet prevents the cat from doing this and protects it from itself. However, the funnel is extremely annoying and the animal patient will try to get rid of it. Stay firm and comfort your cat during this time with extra attention and distraction.
Be Sure to Take Cat Bite Injuries Seriously
Bite wounds on cats often look more harmless than they are. The tiny hole in the opponent’s tooth is the entry point for germs of all kinds, and it is not uncommon for a cavity to form between the skin and muscle tissue at the site of the bite. This cavity is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can cause blood poisoning. So check your cat closely for these small and inconspicuous holes after each fight.
Foreign Objects in the Cat’s Skin
Be careful with impaled foreign bodies. B. wooden sticks. If the foreign object cannot be removed easily, leave it in place. You could tear blood vessels and nerves if you pull them out by force. Stabilize the foreign body with a light bandage and leave it to your vet to remove.