An injury, poisoning, worrying symptoms... how should you react to your cat's pain? How to give them First Aid effectively? How to make sure you don't make it worse?
Here are the answers to those questions so that you can take your cat safely to the veterinary.
A wound or cut : clean and disinfect
Everything depends on the size of the wound and its location. If it is a superficial cut, you should first clean it. You should avoid mercurochrome and instead use water and soap or Betadine. Then apply an antiseptic spray, sealing with a plaster that is not too tight. These products should all be present in a First-Aid kit for cats which you can assemble yourself or buy in a pet shop.
The wound should be cleaned regularly and the bandage redone every two days until completely healed.
Be careful: any change in behaviour in cats with wounds means that you should consult a veterinary.
If the wound is deep, with or without blood, you should consult a veterinary right away. If there is a hemorrhage, you should apply pressure to the wound and not change the bandage, but rather place a second over the first.
A large hemorrhage should have pressure applied on the artery in question until examination by the veterinary.
Poisoning: what you should not do
There are many different types of poisoning.
If it is from contact, there may be irritation or swelling. Before taking your cat to the veterinary, you can wash the affected area with water.
With poisoning through ingestion, the symptoms are varied and do not necessarily appear at the same time which can cause a delay in response: vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, coughs...
All medication on your part should be avoided even if you know what caused the poisoning. You should also not make your cat drink - especially not milk!
Do not try to make your cat vomit. This may accentuate the effects of the poisoning and aggravate or cause lesions.
Clues to help the vet with a diagnosis
Any clue as to poisoning could help the veterinary with their diagnosis and put in place adequate treatment. If could be the casing of a product, a medicine, a piece of plant... don't neglect anything in this case.
In case of poisoning, warn your veterinary that you are coming so that they can take care of your cat all the more quickly.
Burn: evaluate the degree
A burn, however small, requires a lot of attention.
First, cool the burn under cold water. Then, delicately dry the affected area. Neither grease nor ice should be applied to the wound. You should also not use cotton to dry, but gauze.
Pay attention to your cat's reaction. Just like a fracture after a fall, you should touch your cat carefully and gently, staying calm. Pain can make a cat act aggressively even if they are usually very docile.
According to how large the burn is and its degree, hospitalisation may be necessary. This will be paid for and reimbursed according to your animal pet insurance just like any other accident or illness.
A fall: be gentle
You should avoid touching your cat as much as possible in this case. On the way to the veterinary, place a warm cover around your cat.
You should also drive very gently once your cat is placed safely in your car.
Call your veterinary in order to determine your following actions as some mistakes can have grave consequences for your cat.
Diarrhea, vomiting: when to worry and what to do
If the vomiting and/or diarrhea are accompanied with blood, you should consult a veterinary immediately.
Vomiting and diarrhea in cats may be transient but if your cat's state does not improve after 24 hours you should take your cat to the veterinary immediately.
