Has your cat got a wound?

Treatment of wounds on cats

You open the door and your cat comes in, looking a little disheveled after being outside in the sun. It's always a good idea to check your cat's entire body from nose to tail tip every day. The first thing you should do if you spot a wound is to assess its severity. Does it look large and deep? Is it bleeding a lot? In the case of acute injuries such as dog bites and serious accidents, just contact your vet as soon as possible while you try to stop the bleeding with a pressure bandage. At the vet, your cat can get painkillers and assess whether the wound needs to be stitched or a skin graft is needed. For small scratches that do not affect the cat much, you can take care of them yourself. Here it is important to keep infection away by keeping the wound clean.

How to clean wounds on cats?

1. Dried blood residue in the fur can be dissolved with a little lukewarm water. If there is a lot of fur in the way, you can try shaving off some of the fur. If you are cutting with small scissors, you must be extremely careful not to cause damage to the skin.
2. To clean the wound, you can use something called physiological saline. This is a solution that is gentle and safe to use for cleaning more sensitive areas like the nose and eyes. Pour the saline onto the wound to rinse it or soak a cotton pad with the solution and clean it gently.
3. As a follow-up treatment, you should keep an eye on the wound. If you notice swelling or more redness, you should contact your veterinarian. You can apply a wound cream or ointment, preferably honey ointment, which is not toxic or harmful if the pus gets into it.
4. Cats' mouths are full of bacteria, and so are their claws. If your cat can't stop licking or scratching the wound, it's important to wear a collar, bodysuit, or paw socks until the wound has healed.

Can I use chlorhexidine or pyricept on cats?

We do not recommend cleaning the wound with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine and pyrisept. These are medications that are not formulated for use on animals. Although they kill bacteria, they also kill the cells that are healing. Alternatively, it can be diluted slightly with water, but consult with your veterinarian first to ensure it is safe for your cat's specific situation.

Common wounds in the cat

Injuries in cats are often noticeable if they are located clearly visible around the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. If you have a cat with a lot of fur, it may take a little longer before you notice any injuries. Common wounds in cats include bite wounds and injuries that have occurred due to persistent scratching or sores on the paws.

Minor bite wounds on cats

One of the most common causes of wounds in cats is bite wounds from cat fights. But other animals can also attack the cat. If it is unlucky enough to encounter a snake on one of its adventures, it will usually be bitten on the paw or face. If it is bitten on the head, you will see that its face becomes swollen. If you suspect a bite wound from a viper, you should contact a veterinarian.

Sores on the skin due to itching

If your cat has scratched so much that it has developed skin sores, there could be a number of reasons for this. Have you changed cat food or tried a new brand of cat litter? Then the itching could be due to hypersensitivity or allergic reactions. Skin sores can also be caused by tick bite or when the cat scratches a lot in one place because of flea bites. By ear mite the cat can get sores on the ear, but also come away with the sharp claws near the eyes due to the intensive itching in the area.

Sore on the paw

Cats sleep a lot, but they also spend a lot of time on all fours. Their paws are used extensively during all outdoor adventures, walking over rough rocks, thorny bushes and shells. This can lead to wounds on the paws, such as small cuts. Cats can also start to limp if a foreign object is stuck under their paw. Also read our blog post about cats limping.

Cat boils - when the wound becomes infected

Is your cat swollen, hot and red in one place? This could be due to a boil on your cat. These can vary in size and be painful. They can also cause your cat to limp if the boil is located on the leg. Boils on cats occur when bacteria have entered a skin wound that has then closed. A buildup of pus forms under the skin that can eventually burst on its own. To prevent the infection from spreading, you should see a veterinarian so that a new boil does not form.

Symptoms of boils

1. A noticeable lump or swelling under the skin, often filled with pus.
2. Redness, warmth, and tenderness around the affected area.
3. The cat may lick or scratch the area a lot.
4. Poor general condition such as lethargy, reduced appetite and in some cases fever.

Treatment

If your cat has a painful boil, you should see a veterinarian. Treatment usually involves opening and draining the boil, which may require anesthesia. Afterwards, your cat will be given antibiotics to fight the infection and possibly painkillers. It is important to keep the area clean and follow your veterinarian's instructions for further care.