Pelushka Persians

                                                                                FIRST   AID

Accidents do happen, no matter how much care and attention you give to your cat or precautions you take, so it is a good idea to keep the name and address of your vet by the telephone, along with the number of a 24hour emergency service, so that you don’t have to waste valuable minutes searching for the number.  Every cat owner should also keep a well stocked pet-relevant first aid kit to hand and also ensure that they have some knowledge of how to administer basic first aid. Your veterinary practice should be only too happy to offer practical guidance and advice, and there are some extremely good cat books available which cover basic first aid.  Amongst these are:

First Aid for Cats:  What to do when Emergencies Happen  - By Bruce Fogle

HELP! By Michelle Bamberger (DVM)

Over the following weeks we will be adding to this page with Basic First Aid techniques and advice, so please keep checking the Announcements or Calendar for updates.

A basic First Aid kit for pets should include the following:

·         Petroleum jelly, such as 'Vaseline' and a Water Soluble Jelly

·         Fur ball remedy

·         Absorbent cotton balls to help stop bleeding

·         Blunt-ended scissors

·         Tweezers

·         Syringe or eye dropper

·         Non stick Bandages/Gauze rolls and pads

·         Gauze bandage roll for use as a muzzle

·         Adhesive tape for bandages

·        Iodine antiseptic solution

·         Sterile Saline solution for flushing wounds and eyes

·         Antihistamine for Insect Bites

·         First aid cream or antibiotic ointment

·         Silver nitrate pencil

·         An old towel or blanket

·         A copy of your cat’s medical records and vet details

N.B. Regardless of how minor an injury seems, always contact your vet for guidance once your cat is stable.

Approaching an Injured Cat

Any cat that is injured or in pain is very likely to bite or scratch you.  Even the friendliest of cats must be handled with care for the safety of all those involved. 

Knowing how to approach an injured cat safely is critical.   Before going to help, use common sense and remember that your safety comes first.  For example, if the cat has been involved in a car accident and is in the middle of the road, watch for traffic before running out to help.  Or if your cat has fallen, make sure that nothing from above is about to fall on you.  if your cat is covered in a toxic substance, don't touch him without some protection on your hands or unless you can cover him with some form of protective material.  If there is blood on the cat, again you should wear protective gloves, as although there are very few diseases that can be transmitted from animal blood, if the cat is not yours you have no guarantee that human blood has not been mixed in from someone else and spilled onto the cat during the 'accident'.

Use a soft,  gentle and calming voice as you approach the cat, and pay attention to body language and any sounds that he may be making.  Avoid direct eye contact as the cat may mistake this as a threat or confrontation. A frightened cat can be calmed by covering him with a blanket creating a calm, dark enclosure.

 Remember, keeping yourself safe is just as important as helping an injured cat, but if you are scratched or bitten, it is advisable to seek medical attention as cat bites can become infected quite quickly.

Basic Resuscitation

Position the cat on his/her side and check that breathing has definitely stopped, (hold a wisp of fur to the nostrils).  Open the mouth and pull the tongue forward checking for any obstructions, such as blood.  Be careful not to get bitten when removing anything from the mouth.  If breathing does not start, extend the head, pointing the nose forwards. Hold the mouth closed and blow into the nose about ten times per minute.  If you can't feel a heartbeat, push on the chest just behind the forelegs every one or two seconds.  Give two breaths into the nose for every 15 pushes on the chest.  If this is unsuccessful after three minutes, sadly recovery is unlikely.