Cats love to explore the outdoors, to claim territory, play, and socialize. However cautious your feline companion is, the outdoor environment may pose risks. It is not uncommon for cats to return home with abrasions, cuts, bites, and wounds.
In these pages, you will find some tips to take care of these ailments:
- How to identify the type of wound: cuts, burns, abscesses, traumatic wounds and self-inflicted wounds caused by licking or over-grooming.
- What to do when you discover a wound on your cat: before acting, it is important to explore the wound and determine its extent and depth. If blood smears on the hair around the wound, a wound can appear larger than it is. Likewise, some wounds, such as puncture wounds, can appear very superficial and hide deeper damage.
- How to clean a wound: once the wound has been examined, it should be cleared of any debris or foreign bodies, and then cleaned. This step will facilitate the healing process.
- How to disinfect a wound: it is important to choose the right disinfectant product.
- When and how to put on a bandage: in some cases, it is useful to cover the wound to provide protection, avoid painful contact, and limit unwanted licking.
In some cases, especially if the wound is deep, extensive, or if your cat appears in pain or is limping then further treatment is required. If your cat is unwell, or if over time the wound takes on an abnormal appearance (color, odor, production of discharge) it is essential to seek advice from your veterinarian. In most cases a minor injury can heal with minimal intervention, however it is always a good idea to monitor the progress and act early to avoid any complications.
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