First Aidit is a curious creature, your cat is likely to create an emergency situation. Even the best well-protected house cat is subject to dangers in the home. Although you can do your part by cat-proofing your home emergencies do arise.
First aid measures are not a substitute for veterinary care. If an emergency arises, always call your vet. In some cases, however, you may have to administer first aid before you can take the cat to the vet.
WOUNDS
Bites from other animals and cuts are probably the most common situations requiring first aid. The first step is to stop the bleeding and get the cat to the vets. The vet will clean the wound. It's hard to bandage a wounded cat without a helper to hold the cat, but do the best you can Aim for results, not for neatly applied bandage. To bandage a leg or tail, wrap a band of gauze around the wound. Bandage neck, chest or abdominal wounds with a many-tailed bandage a wide strip of cloth that has a fringe of one-inch wide strips. The length of strips is roughly a third of the length of the entire bandage. The bandage is secured by tying the strips together. If the wound is minor, you can clean it with hydrogen peroxide or a weak solution of water and salt or baking soda.
Dogs bites are usually lacerations (wounds with a torn or jagged edge), While cats bites are puncture wounds and often go undetected until the wound abscesses. Your cat will probably need antibiotics to ward off the danger of infection.
BURNS
A cat walking across a stove can accidentally burn itself, from the flame itself or from boiling water or cooking fat. Immediately dousing the burned area with lots of cold water will prevent tissue damage. A chemical burn from a caustic acid should be treated in the same way. Severe burns may send your cat into shock in which case treatment of the burn becomes secondary.
CHOKING
Try to prevent choking from occurring by keeping bones and small toys or objects away from your cat. If your cat is choking it will paw at its mouth, gag and drool. Open it's mouth and remove the object by holding your cat upside down and pressing in its chest with both hands. If that method does not work, try using a tweezers or needle nose pliers to remove the object. Exercise caution as the cats involuntary choking reflex could cause it to bite you. If you cannot easily remove the object, leave it to the vet. If your cat swallows the object, it may have to be removed surgically. Even if you successfully remove the object a trip to the vet might be in order as your cat's mouth or throat could be scratched.
BLEEDING
Jagged cuts or gashes, caused by contact with sharp objects on fences or walls or by animal bites, are responsible for most serious loss of blood by cats.
ARTERIAL BLEEDING
Arterial bleeding may be recognised by bright red blood which gushes or pumps out of the wound.
VENOUS BLEEDING
Venous blood is dark red or purplish, and either flows in a steady stream or oozes out.
FIRST AID
Apply pressure at once! most arterial and venous bleeding can be stopped by applying pressure directly to the wounds. Take a sterile pad, clean handkerchief or towel and place it on the wound; press down firmly. If you cannot stop the bleeding by applying pressure, apply a tourniquet if the wound is on the cat's leg. Use a belt, necktie, roller bandage or strip of strong cloth. A tourniquet about two inches wide is preferable. Apply the tourniquet close to the wound and between it and the cat's heart. Tighten the tourniquet sufficiently to check the bleeding. Wrap it around the cat's leg several times, knot it, and let it remain until the vet takes it off. Get the cat to the vets as soon as possible.
MINOR CUTS AND SCRATCHES
Most of the time, the cat can treat itself by licking minor cuts and scratches. When it cannot reach cuts or scratches with its tongue, you can treat them.
FIRST AID
Trim away any matted or bloody hair from around the wounds. Wash with mild soap and warm water. Apply an antiseptic powder or spray to the cuts or
scratches.NAIL PUNCTURES
Nail punctures (orally punctures) are dangerous and should be treated by the vet. Punctures close up quickly, thus permitting tetanus bacteria to go to work. If a veterinary surgeon is available, take the cat to him right away. If not, you must clean the punctures. Restrain the cat. Wash the punctures with warm water. Open up the punctures in order to soak the wounds with the warm water. Apply an antiseptic, working it into the punctures. Get the cat to the vet as soon as possible.
BULLET OR SHOTGUN PELLET WOUNDS
Some persons shoot cats on sight. If your cat has been shot, restrain the animal and check for bleeding. Do not probe for bullets or pellets. Apply antiseptic and bandage. Get the cat to the vet as soon as possible.
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