How to Ensure Smooth First Aid for Cats and Kittens

(Last Updated On: October 9, 2021)

First aid for cats and kittens is very crucial to avoid any unwanted situation. Every pet owner must learn about first aid for cats in order to ensure a healthy and safe life for the pet. In this article, I am going to talk about first aid tips and guidelines for cats or kittens.

How to Ensure Smooth First Aid for Cats and Kittens?

A cat can’t tell you what’s wrong with him, as you may know. And when he’s scared or hurt, he’s prone to fleeing. If you’re not prepared, you may have to confine the cat to provide help, risking scratches and teeth by dint of first aid for cats.

The following are the objectives of all feline first aid:

Keep life alive.

Reduce the amount of pain.

Encourage recovery.

Reduce the severity of an injury or sickness until a veterinarian can take care of it.

Examining Vital Signs for Normalcy

In an emergency, it’s critical to collect the cat’s vital signs, such as his temperature, pulse, and breathing rate, as soon as possible.

Cats’ normal temperature ranges from 100.4 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pulse rate: 160-240 beats per minute

Respiration rate: 20-30 breaths per minute

Because your cat’s temperature is taken rectally, have someone assist you in immobilizing the animal. You should never do this alone, especially if the cat is agitated due to an injury or sickness.

Press your two fingers on the inner of your cat’s upper hind leg to find its pulse. The femoral artery is located here. Make sure you count for a minimum of 60 seconds.

The shock might be indicated by an extremely rapid pulse.

You can monitor your cat’s breathing by looking at their chest. For one minute, count your inhalations and exhalations.

In an emergency, what should you do?

1. Get rid of the source of the damage, such as any weight on the cat.

2. Make sure the cat’s airway is clear so it can breathe. If there is a collar, take it off. Remove any foreign objects or obstructions from your nose and throat. Place the animal in a position that allows for the most effective respiration.

3. If your cat has stopped breathing, administer artificial respiration.

4. Perform CPR on a cardiac arrest victim by striking the side of the chest right behind the shoulder with a forceful blow. CPR should be continued until the cat is able to breathe on his own.

5. The bleeding must be controlled as soon as possible. Apply pressure, bandages, or tourniquets to the affected area.

6. Apply clean and dry dressings to the wounds.

7. It’s important to keep the patient as warm as possible.

8. If it’s not absolutely essential, don’t relocate your cat. They might be suffering from inside ailments that you aren’t aware of. If you must move, try slipping a blanket or board beneath the cat before doing so.

9. Place your cat’s head slightly lower than his body if he’s unconscious. Do not give the wounded cat any fluids, medications, or food.

10. Take your cat to an emergency veterinary clinic or your regular veterinarian as soon as possible. If at all possible, have someone call the vet ahead of time so that he or she can be prepared.

11. Time is critical, so don’t rush. Additional injuries can be caused by high-speed or jarring motions.

First Aid Kit (Basic)

The following is a list of goods to include in a customized first-aid kit for your feline family members. In addition to basic home products like scissors, blankets, mineral oil, bicarbonate of soda, and mineral oil, the list includes the following. You’ll also want to make sure that you have towels or a blanket on hand to confine your cat

Gauze bandages, 1″ and 2″ rolls (I each)

Large gauze dressing pads (8)

Adhesive medical tape (1)

Roll of cotton wool (I)

Tweezers (I)

Triangular bandage (1)

Rectal thermometer (1)

Cotton balls (6)

3% hydrogen peroxide (2 oz)

Kaolin mixture (2 oz)

Milk of Magnesia tablets (10)

Activated charcoal tablets (20)

Antibacterial ointment – for eyes and skin

Putting a Restraint on a Cat Who Has Been Injured

Even though your cat has complete faith in you, he might cause you to harm if he is wounded or unwell. A cat’s natural tendency is to escape from pain, and they are likely to attack you, even if they are seriously hurt.

You’ll need to gently immobilize your cat’s claws by tying the two front legs together in one hand just above the foot and wrapping adhesive tape over them (to avoid further harm). Then secure the back legs in the same way (unless they are obviously injured). You may now inspect your cat without fear of getting scratched or clawed. Hold the head tightly to avoid biting.

Choking

If your cat is choking, try reaching into the throat with tweezers or your fingers and removing the impediment. If the obstruction is deeper, turn the cat over and place the heel of your palm under the final rib, pressing hard while angling slightly upward. Then try again with four rapid thrusts.

Breathing Difficulties

If your cat is having trouble breathing, take off his collar, open his mouth, and bring his tongue forward to avoid blocking the throat. Pull his head and neck forward, then place your hands on his ribs and apply a quick downward pressure. Release.

This should clear the lungs of stale air and replace it with new air. Close your cat’s jaws and place your mouth over his nose for approximately three seconds, blowing forcefully (but not too hard – you’re not trying to inflate him). Repeat after a two-second break. Continue doing this for 30 minutes or until your cat is breathing properly.

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If your cat’s heart isn’t beating, try the following:

1. Place your thumb at the point of the elbow on the cat’s chest and your fingers on the other side of the chest cavity with one hand.

2. Squeeze at a pace of one compression per second, softly yet forcefully. Follow the techniques for artificial breathing above after five compressions without pausing the compressions.

3. Keep an eye on your cat for indications of life, such as breathing or a heartbeat.

CPR can be performed for up to 15 minutes before there is a minimal probability of survival. If at all possible, have someone drive you to the veterinarian while you perform CPR.

Bleeding

Direct pressure, as usual, is the most efficient technique to stop bleeding. Apply firm, even pressure with a sterile pad immediately on the wound. Remove the pad if blood flows through it.

Because you don’t want to interfere with any clotting, simply lay another over it. If a limb is bleeding, it can be elevated to reduce the bleeding, but only if it is not broken.

If direct pressure fails, apply indirect pressure to the arteries supplying blood to the area. These may be seen on the inside of the forelimb and hind limb top surfaces, as well as the underside of the tail base.

A tourniquet should only be used as a last resort. A tourniquet should never be used around the neck.

Once the bleeding has been stopped, take your cat to a veterinarian or an emergency room as soon as possible.

Shock

You must be aware of the indications of shock in the event of an accident or injury. A loss of consciousness, pale mucous membranes (gums, rims of the eyes), a slow or fast pulse, shallow or rapid breathing, and the body feeling chilly to the touch are all possible symptoms.

If your cat appears to be in shock, don’t offer him any water, even if he asks for it. In situations of severe shock, the digestive system may not be able to absorb the water properly, causing your cat to inhale rather than swallow it.

Intravenous fluids and medicines provided by a qualified veterinarian are the best methods to treat shock. It’s important to remember that shock can last for up to 12 hours following an accident or injury.

Bones are broken

Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones seldom result in death. However, you should immobilize the injury to prevent it from getting more serious.

Without an X-ray, determining if a bone is sprained, broken, or dislocated can be difficult; nevertheless, there may be swelling and your cat may be unable to use his limb. If the spine is damaged, none of the legs will be able to function.

Apply a splint to the affected region if at all feasible. Sticks work best, but a rolled-up newspaper or towel can suffice. Make sure it reaches beyond the damaged region so that the joints above and below are also immobilized. Tape it in place, but not so tightly that circulation is obstructed.

As quickly as possible, take your cat to the veterinarian. You might wish to have someone call beforehand so that the staff is prepared. This is true for any of the injuries discussed here in this article.