Mary Allen
If a cat is hit by a car, it is often – but fortunately not always – its death sentence. Quick, prudent action can save the lives of many accident victims.
One of the biggest enemies of cats, at least of those that roam freely, is the car. It is strong, fast, and occurs en masse in many cat territories. Young animals are particularly at risk – at least that is what a British study from 2003 suggests. Male cats, whether neutered or not, get under a car more often than their female counterparts. And most accidents happen near home, on busy roads, and at night.
Darkness is a problem in several respects. Firstly, because at night it is almost impossible for even the most cautious driver to spot four-legged pedestrians in time and then stop, even on a side street with a speed of 30 km/h. In addition, according to Irene Rochlitz, the author of the study, the consequences of a nocturnal accident are often more serious for the cat. That’s because fewer people witness the incident at night, it’s harder to find the injured animal in the dark when it’s holed up somewhere, and veterinary help isn’t as readily available as during the day either.
In Any Case, Go to the Vet
Especially in areas with a lot of traffic, it can make sense not to let cats outside after dark. Even with all caution, car accidents cannot be completely avoided for day-lovers. This is the bad news. The good news: a relatively large number of cats survive a collision with a car. In a later study by Rochlitz in Cambridgeshire, UK, 93 of 127 affected cats survived, of which 58 suffered moderate to very serious injuries.
How good the prognosis depends not only on how badly the animal was injured on impact. It is just as important that the accident victim is helped as quickly as possible. Since animals that appear to be intact at first glance can have life-threatening internal injuries or broken bones, the cat should be taken to the vet in any case. For the driver this means: stopping, securing the scene of the accident (breakdown triangle, hazard warning lights, fluorescent vest), and looking after the cat.
24-Hour Emergency Number Will Help
If the cat does not die on the spot (in which case you should inform the police or the municipality), the latter is often not that easy and sometimes involves a major search operation. “In the state of shock after an accident, even seriously injured cats often flee and hide somewhere,” says Jana Bauer from the “TierRettungs Dienst – Leben hat vorfahrt” foundation. “If the cat is no longer able to run away, its condition is often very critical. If she’s unconscious, carefully look into her mouth to check if her airway is clear. A rolled-back tongue means there is a risk of suffocation,” says Bauer.
First aid can be provided by holding the cat in the neck if possible, pulling the tongue forward, slightly out of the mouth, and removing excess saliva. Care should be taken when coming into contact with the four-legged accident victim because stress and pain can turn the gentlest cuddly cat into a small predator. To prevent scratches and bites, carefully wrap the animal in a blanket, towel, or jacket before picking it up.
The position of the cat should be changed as little as possible. “If available, the animal is placed in a softly padded crate or transport box. Alternatively, the trunk can also be used so that the cat is not free in the car, »says the animal rescue expert. Since animals in shock often have hypothermia, you should make sure that it is warm enough in the car.
Anyone who is unsure or does not know where the nearest veterinarian is can contact the animal rescue service on 044 211 22 22, a 24-hour emergency number. «If the finder cannot or does not want to help himself, we will send an animal rescue driver as soon as possible. Under certain circumstances, however, life-saving time can be lost,” says Bauer.
Time is also lost when the search for a cat that has disappeared in shock is unsuccessful shortly after the accident. In the best case, the animal will then be found in time by passers-by or it will walk home. In addition to obvious injuries, signs that the dog has been hit can include broken claws, dirty fur, and changed aggressive, apathetic, or particularly shy behavior.
By the way, the finder of an injured cat does not have to worry about being left with a horrendous vet bill. As a rule, the bearer is charged nothing or only a small amount. If the owner cannot be found in time to arrange expensive treatments, the veterinarian will decide how to proceed.