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Cat Wound Care

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Cat Wound Care

Whenever the skin is broken, bacteria and other debris have the ability to contaminate the area. Therefore treatment of the wound is important to reduce the chances of an infection taking hold.

Cats can be difficult to handle when they are injured. If your cat is displaying signs of fear or aggression, it is safer to take him to the vet for treatment.

It should also be said that you should only ever treat minor wounds at home. Here's what to do:

  • Before you handle any wounds, wash your hands well. Wear disposable gloves if you have some.
  • Stop the bleeding. Fresh wounds will bleed, often quite profusely. Grab some clean, sterile gauze and place over the wound. Bandage snugly. If you don't have gauze, place a sanitary pad on the wound.
  • Clip away the hair surrounding the wound being careful not to drop hair into the wound. If you have any, a water soluble lubricant such as K Y jelly can be applied to the fur around the wound to keep it away from the area.
  • Using a syringe without the needle, irrigate the wound with clean tap water or saline solution.
  • After flushing out the wound, apply an antiseptic solution such as Betadine. It should be diluted 1 in 10. Use a spray bottle to apply, if you don't have a spray bottle, apply to cotton wool balls and dab onto the wound.
  • Once you have disinfected the wound, dab it dry with gauze pads.

When to see the vet:

  • If the wound is a puncture wound.
  • If it is bleeding profusely.
  • If the wound becomes inflamed, painful or contains pus.
  • If the cat is difficult to handle.
  • If the wound is longer than 1 inch (2.5 cm) it will require stitches.
  • If your cat is not eating and or appears lethargic.

What not to do:

Don't use bleach, dettol or hydrogen peroxide on wounds.

Also see:

First aid kit for cats