Pet Insurance Dog Insurance Cat Insurance Find A Vet About Us

Emergency First Aid (Cats)

In the event of your cat being involved in an accident or emergency you will need to be able to act quickly and decisively. Knowing what to do in a situation can mean the difference between life and death. This site is for informational purposes only, therefore if you do notice anything, don’t rely upon websites or books for diagnosis and treatment, instead contact your vet immediately.

Here are some tips on what do in case of an accident or emergency:

Car accident or a serious fall

1. If possible, remove the cat carefully from further danger, as they may have suffered internal injuries or broken bones.

2. Then look to make a ‘stretcher’, either from a coat or rug and gently slide the cat onto it, carefully supporting the whole body throughout. Note: be careful not to twist the body, especially if there is a suspected spinal injury. Hold the head a little bit lower than the rest of the body as this will ensure that blood still flows to the brain.

3. Then keep the cat warm until you reach the vet.

Note: when handling an injured cat, be aware that he/she will be in pain and may lash out at you. If possible wear a pair of gloves and keep your face well away. Approach the cat slowly and softly. Then, hold the cat gently but firmly by the scruff of the neck (for restraint) and place your hand under the hindquarters for added support. Wrap the cat in a blanket to prevent him/her from struggling before placing him/her in a carrier. If possible, telephone your vet to let him/her know you are on your way.

External bleeding

1. Apply firmly a cold compress over the wound to stem the blood flow. Do NOT use disinfectant.

2. Contact your vet immediately.

How to treat poisoning

1. Symptoms of poisoning include severe vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, staggering, convulsions and abnormal eye movements.

2. Contact your vet, and if possible, inform them of the type of substance your cat has consumed.

3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless your vet has advised it.

4. If your cat has ingested rat poison, then vitamin K injections are the antidote but they must be administered immediately.

5. If your cat’s coat has paint or oil smears on it, use petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to soften it, before bathing it in warm soapy water (or Swarfega), and rinse thoroughly.

Scalds and Burns

1. Rinse the burnt area with plenty of cold running water for several minutes.

2. Do NOT cover the burnt area.

3. Contact your vet immediately.

Near-drowning

1. After rescuing, the conscious cat needs to be kept warm by being wrapped in a towel.

2. If the cat is unconscious, you need to apply artificial respiration:

first, check for a heartbeat.
hold the cat’s head lower than its body in order to help drain water from its lungs.
lie the cat on its side, with the head lower than the chest.
clear any debris from its mouth and pull the tongue forward.
if this doesn’t initiate breathing, you will need to attempt artificial respiration by pushing down carefully on the cat’s chest, with the flat of your hand, giving a short sharp push. Allow its lungs to refill with fresh air and then repeat every 5 seconds until the cat starts to breathe.

3. If there appears to be no sign of life, after 30 seconds or more, you will need to try mouth-to-nose respiration. Tilt back the cats head, hold its mouth firmly and closed, and blow short, gentle breaths into both of its nostrils. Do this for 3 seconds to help inflate the lungs. Then pause for 2 seconds and repeat.

Be careful not to over-inflate the lungs. Continue this until the cat starts to breathe.

Insect bites and stings

1. If your cat has been stung by a bee, use a pair of tweezers to remove the embedded bee sting. Do NOT squeeze the bee sting as this will release more poison.

2. Bee and ant stings are acidic so bathe the stung area with an alkali, such as sodium bicarbonate (or ordinary baking soda), dissolved in cold water.

3. In regard to wasp stings, these are alkaline so treat with something acidic such as vinegar or diluted lemon juice.

4. If your cat has a bee or wasp sting in the mouth then this can be dangerous as it can cause the mouth, or throat to swell rapidly and so inhibit breathing. This can then lead to asphyxiation. In this scenario, ensure that your cat is seen immediately by a vet.

Choking

1. A chicken or fish bone, or even a sewing needle, can become stuck in your cat’s throat, or lodged against the roof of its mouth.

2. If this happens, firstly, restrain your cat by wrapping him/her in a towel. Then open their mouth but be careful NOT to tilt the head back as this may cause the object to drop into the throat.

3. If you can locate the object, use a pair of blunt-ended tweezers to remove it. Do NOT pull a visible thread as it may be attached to an object in the stomach.

4. If you can’t find the object, contact your vet immediately.

Electrocution

1. Before you do anything, turn off the power and remove the plug from the socket or you too will receive an electric shock. Then you can treat the pet.

2. If your cat has chewed through an electric cable or wire, the mouth and/or tongue may be burned. Electrical burns can result in cardiac arrest so it is vital that you contact your vet instantly.

Dehydration (how to deal with it)

There are various medical conditions that can cause dehydration. These include heatstroke, kidney disease, diabetes, severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

1. Pinch the loose folds of skin at the back of your cat’s neck, and then lift it up. If the skin falls back slowly, this shows that your cat is dehydrated. You may also notice that your cat’s gums feel dry and tacky in the early stages of dehydration.

2. Dehydration can cause fits and can ultimately be fatal so contact your vet immediately.

Other Articles that may be of interest:

FAQs

Articles