Several factors must be taken into account: the type of wound, its size and depth, the amount of blood, the general condition of your cat and the injured area.
Superficial wounds, such as scrapes and shallow cuts, can be treated at home. Take care of them by following the recommendations made here. This type of wound should heal within 24 to 48 hours. If this is not the case or if the area becomes red, hot, swollen or painful to the touch, it is advisable to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
If it is a deep cut, with or without a foreign body, it is advisable to go quickly to see your veterinarian. Indeed, this type of wound must be sutured or sealed with staples.
Abrasive-type wounds (friction burns) usually occur in car accidents. It is necessary to see a veterinarian as soon as possible, even if your cat seems to be doing well and moving normally. This type of injury is also painful and takes longer to heal because the surrounding tissue has been compressed. They require rigorous treatment under the supervision of a professional and potentially antibiotic treatment. Other types of burns also require veterinary supervision.
Bites should be quickly checked by a veterinarian. First, because these wounds are dirty, the bacteria from the mouth having penetrated deep into the wound. The bites can cause large and deep lesions, which can even affect internal organs. It is therefore an emergency!
In some cases, the management becomes surgical, that is, your veterinarian will have to debride and drain the wound to remove the dead tissue and ensure the best possible basis for good healing. Abscesses usually need to be drained and flushed out.
If your cat loses large amounts of blood, is painful or even unconscious, it is urgent to consult your veterinarian!
Finally, some areas are more complicated than others to heal or are subject to secondary infections: the spaces between the digits, the face (and more particularly near the eye), the area around the anus, the tail, the fold of the groin or the armpit. If your companion is injured near any of these areas, it is recommended that you schedule a visit to the vet.
