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One of the most common accidents is a cut or laceration that causes bleeding. Bandage material, cleaning agents and anticoagulant powder (for nails that have been cut too short) take care of most minor wounds. Larger wounds should be seen by a vet.
WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO
If a cat is bleeding the principle is the same for pets and people. Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. It is best to use gauze or a clean bandage, but anything available -- including your hand -- will do if necessary. Release the pressure after a couple of minutes.
If the bleeding stops, access the wound. Use clippers or scissors to remove hair from the area, then take an iodine-type soap and clean up wound. Rinse it out again with hydrogen peroxide. If there is a lot of hair surrounding the wound, before you clip the hair; coat it with water-soluble KY jelly. The hairs will stick to the jelly and not to the wound and will be much easier to wash away. Cover minor wounds with gauze and reassess them the next morning. Always give your vet a call just to be sure.
If the bleeding doesn't stop, continue applying direct pressure to the wound while on your way to the vet. For foot wounds, once the cat has been treated by your vet, placing a clean sock over the paw helps keep the dressing clean. Use adhesive tape to secure the sock in place.
If you think your cat might bite you because he is hurt, scared, and in pain, protect yourself by wrapping her head in a towel. Don't leave the towel on too long or wrap it too tightly.
FACT: An Elizabethan collar helps prevent cats from traumatizing a wound but most cats don't like them.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY
HERBAL REMEDIES
Calendula (Marigold) lotion- 6 drops of Calendula tincture in 2 tablespoons of water. Apply to the wound, cover with gauze, and tape the gauze to the skin. This will decrease pain.
Calendula-hypericum ointment applied to a minor wound will promote healing. Leave the wound open.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Calendula 6x is often recommended for superficial wounds. One tablet twice daily promotes healing.
Arnica decreases bruising.
If the wound becomes infected, Hepar sulphuris helps to heal the infection.
Rescue Remedy, 1-2 drops in your cat's mouth or food or water dish is calming and will help him/her to relax.
Comfort. A little tender loving care (TLC) can help calm your cat and spead the healing process.
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- Nice to know that the article is not an infomercial, i.e., helpful information whose primary agenda is to promote a particular product or brand.
- Many times, consulting a vet during regular hours or for non-emergency matters after-hours will end up NOT being worthwhile in cost.
Sure an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and "penny wise but pound foolish". At the same time, with simple vet consultation rates becoming ever more costly (yes, even the so-called "low-cost" clinics!), it pays to treat the injured cat with relatively low-cost, over-the-counter, easily available items rather than opting for veterinarian-ensured treatment.
- Hate to have to mention this, but for some, it's better to try treating the cat with SOMETHING helpful, using advice such as in this article, than with nothing at all. Not treating pets at all can and does lead to such questionable acts as euthanasia (=humane death) or just plain abandonment of our sweet Gd-given animal companions!
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