Meow Don’t Feel Good

Written by Karma Cat Foster, Socializer, Crafting Guru, and Blog Writer, Jacqueline R.

This blog is meant to offer only the most basic information about some possible scenarios where first aid might be necessary at home.  As always, consult your vet and follow their advice.

While we hope to never have any emergencies or accidents at home, especially with our beloved pets, stuff happens.  And when it does, well, better to be prepared instead of panicking.  Here’s a few things to keep in mind if your kitty has an encounter of the ouch-ey kind.

• Post a list on your refrigerator with the phone number and address of your vet and at least 2 other emergency vets in your area.  Better yet, put them in your phone and in your phone/ car’s navigational system.
• Remember, safety first! A hurt, scared cat may strike out, even at people they love. In their fear and pain, they may also run away and hide.
• Be very, very careful to avoid touching any potentially contaminated body fluids or blood.
• Warning! Human painkillers can hurt or even kill your cat. Never use human pills, ointments, disinfectants, or adhesive Band-Aids unless explicitly directed by your veterinary team.

When Accidents Happen

• Contact the emergency vet and let them advise you of the best course of action
• Gently swaddle your cat in a blanket or towel to help keep them warm and contained — you don’t want your hurt and frightened pet doing more damage by struggling or trying to get loose.

For Bites, Cuts, Burns, and Wounds

Don’t try to probe the wound or do a deep clean yourself. Gently remove any sticks, leaves, or chunky dirt around the wound and rinse with clean water.  If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean towel or cloth.

For Broken Bones

Keep your cat warm and contained. swaddled them very gently.  Do NOT try to splint the break yourself — leave that to the vet.

If Kitty is Choking

The ASPCA recommends first looking/sweeping your fingers in their mouth to see if you can remove the blockage.  If not, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver as demonstrated here.

For Eye Injuries

You can try a eye-specific saline rinse to remove any loose debris or an irritant, but if you are unable to remove it or there is an injury to the eye, it’s time to get to a vet.

For Heatstroke

Cats and dogs that have been left in hot cars or rooms can overheat. Look for excessive panting, drooling, and collapse. Get the pet into the shade, and while getting to the vet is your first priority, according to VCA animal hospitals, you can temporarily help by applying cool water (NOT cold) over the head, stomach, armpits and feet, or cool cloths can be applied and replaced on these areas.

For Poisoning

Don’t wait. If you suspect poison, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.

For Seizures

Advice from the American Veterinary Medical Association is that you should not touch or try to restrain your pet during a seizure. Clear a safe area around them and time the seizure if you can. Note that they may appear disoriented afterwards; keep them warm and quiet while getting to emergency vet care immediately.

Shock and Internal Bleeding

Blunt trauma, like a bad fall or car accident, can cause incredibly dangerous internal bleeding or life-threatening shock. If you spot lethargy, panting, coughing up blood, a distended belly, or pale gums, rush to emergency care.

ASPCA Checklist for a Kitty First Aid Kit

We hope this helps you to prepare for an emergency. Just remember – prepare by knowing who to call or where to go ahead of time, stay calm, and get an injured kitty to a vet asap!