Cat First Aid

First Aid for Cats: An Overview


cat_illnessTry as you might to keep your cat healthy and safe, but the unthinkable can still happen. Your feline could suddenly fall ill or get hurt. If this were to occur, would you know what to do?

First Aid is the care provided to a sick or injured pet until professional help is at hand. First Aid does not take the place of proper veterinary treatment. But when used appropriately, it could make all the difference for you and your cat.

It’s important to be prepared for an emergency before one arises. Know these First Aid instructions, have a first aid kit ready, and keep important phone numbers handy. Learn how your veterinarian handles urgent care, particularly after hours. Some veterinarians are available to meet you at the hospital if you call after closing; others refer directly to a local emergency hospital. It’s always smart to know the name and location of the local 24-hour emergency hospital wherever you are (see box). Always call ahead before your rush to the vet hospital with your sick or injured pet. This way the staff can prepare or further instruct you as necessary. With a good plan in place, you and your cat can get the help you need…when you need it.

For a listing of 24-hour emergency veterinary clinics worldwide, visit the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) online directory.

The following are common feline emergencies and instructions for first aid:

Bee Sting

Any bee sting or insect bite has the potential to cause problems ranging from a minor local reaction (pain, swelling or itching) to a more serious one (hives, facial swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing, and in rare cases, collapse). If you suspect your cat has been stung or bitten by an insect:

What to do:

What not to do:

Bleeding

Bleeding is often associated with injury, and so recognizing and controlling blood loss is an important part of first aid. Bleeding can be external (exuding from a cut or wound on the surface of the body) or internal (concealed inside the chest or abdomen). Severe or ongoing blood loss can lead to shock, collapse, and even death if not treated promptly.

What to do for external bleeding:

Internal bleeding is a life-threatening emergency. But it’s not always apparent, since you may not see any blood. Internal bleeding can occur with blunt trauma, such as a serious fall, or being hit by a car.

Don't get hurt!

Even the gentlest cat will lash out when injured and in pain. Approach an injured cat with extreme caution to avoid getting hurt yourself.

Signs of internal bleeding may include:

What to do for internal bleeding:

Breathing trouble

Breathing trouble (dyspnea) is characterized by increased breathing effort, noisy rapid breathing, or trouble inhaling and exhaling. Panting, while normal in dogs, is a sign of respiratory distress in cats. If blood oxygen gets low, the gums and lips may turn blue. Dyspnea is a medical emergency, and such patients can be extremely fragile.

What to do:

How to Perform Rescue Breathing

Rescue breathing is performed on a pet that has stopped breathing and become unconscious. It is the same as “mouth-to-mouth” in people. Do not attempt rescue breathing if your cat is still conscious.

  1. Clamp your lips over your cat's mouth and nose.
  2. Exhale with enough force to expand the cat’s chest as it would during a normal breath. Be careful not to over-inflate.
  3. Give three to five breaths.
  4. Pause to see if your cat has started to breathe on her own.
  5. Repeat as necessary until you reach help.

Burns

Burns can result from exposure to heat, flames, electricity, or caustic chemicals, and can occur anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth (electric shock, chemical ingestion). Burns are extremely painful, tend to worsen before they get better, and are highly susceptible to infection. Severe burns can require intensive care and reconstructive surgery.

Here’s what to do:

What not to do:

Choking

Choking occurs when a foreign object is lodged near the opening of the trachea (windpipe), blocking the flow of air into the lungs. Luckily, choking is quite rare in cats. Choking and coughing can be hard to tell apart. The important distinction is that a coughing cat can inhale relatively normally, but a choking cat can not. A choking cat may seem frantic and the lips and tongue will start to turn blue. This may progress to unconsciousness if the blockage is not relieved.

What to do if your cat is conscious:

What to do if your cat is unconscious:

Fever

If your cat is acting sick and her face and ears feel hot, it’s possible she has a fever. Take your cat’s rectal temperature using an electric fever thermometer. A cat’s normal resting temperature is from 100.5° to 102.5°F. A temperature of 103°F or above constitutes a fever. A fever of 105°F or above is a potentially life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.

What to do:

What not to do:

Fracture

Symptoms of a fracture (broken bone) include pain, inability to use a limb, or a limb that is bent at an odd angle. An open fracture is one that is associated with an open and bleeding flesh wound. With a closed fracture, the surface skin remains intact.

What to do:

What not to do:

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a condition in which a cat’s body overheats. Cats usually are smart about hot weather, and know to lounge in the shade. But a cat left in a poorly ventilated space such as a car or attic, even for a short time, can be exposed to dangerously high temperatures.

Signs of heat stroke include heavy breathing, drooling, and agitation, which progress to weakness, confusion, and collapse.

What to do:

What not to do:

Paralysis

Paralysis is the loss of ability to move parts of the body, for example the legs or tail. This may occur due to a traumatic injury (such as a serious fall or being hit by a car) or a certain serious heart problem that causes blood clots to lodge in the extremities.

What to do:

Poisoning

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

(888) 426-4435

This is a trusted resource in any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is staffed by a dedicated team of veterinary specialists. A consultation fee will be charged to your credit card for using this service.

Poisoning can result from ingestion, inhalation, or contact with a toxic substance. Examples include household chemicals or cleansers, prescription medications, antifreeze, toxic plants, or even toxic foods.

What to do:

Seizures

A seizure is a burst of uncontrollable body movements caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can be as dramatic as violent whole-body tremors (a grand mal seizure), or as subtle as a repetitive facial twitch or a brief period of disorientation (a partial seizure). There are many causes of seizures, some benign, some serious.

What to do:

Snake Bite

If your cat was bitten by a snake, it’s always safest to assume the snake was poisonous. This determination depends partly on what snakes are common in your area. Antivenin treatment may be needed.

What to do:

What not to do:

Vomiting

Vomiting is a common symptom. Repeated vomiting, especially when combined with diarrhea, can rapidly lead to dehydration, especially in very young, old, or frail cats.

What to do:

What not to do:

Wounds

Wounds come in all shapes and sizes. A deep wound fully penetrates the skin and may expose underlying muscle, fat and bone. It requires emergency treatment by a veterinarian. A superficial wound does not penetrate all the way through the skin, and home care may suffice. Bite wounds should always be treated by a veterinarian, no matter how superficial they seem. There is often more damage beneath the skin than meets the eye. Bite wounds in cats readily form into large abscesses. Rabies exposure is a serious concern if the bite came from an unvaccinated (or wild) animal.

What to do for a deep wound:

What to do for a superficial wound:

Minor wounds on the extremities can be bandaged (if your cat will allow it):

With luck, you’ll never need to perform First Aid on your pet. But if an emergency strikes, you’ll be prepared.

You May Also Like These Articles:

First Aid for Cats: An Overview

First Aid for a Cat That Isn\'t Breathing

First Aid for a Cat with No Heartbeat

Essentials for Your Feline First Aid Kit

First Aid for Coughing and Choking in Cats

First Aid for Chemical Burns in Cats

First Aid for a Cat with a Broken Bone

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with CatHealth.com.