Below
are common feline emergencies and what you should do in
case something like this occurs. You should always get
your cat to the vet after any of these situations, even
if not stated in the instructions below. These should
be considered "temporary" fixes to keep your
cat alive while in the process of getting help. First
aid care for your cat before/on the way to getting professional
help increases the chances of a positive outcome.
Hit
by Car / Fall from Height
You need to move your cat out of any dangerous area,
using a towel or coat as a stretcher. Put him in a large
box or pet carrier to transport him to the vet. Cats
falling out of high windows is called "high-rise syndrome" and
is all too common - make sure you have secure screens on
all of your windows to prevent this.
Drowning
If your cat accidentally
falls into a pool or other body of water,
check to see if it is responding. If
not, hold it upside down, firmly grasping the back legs,
and vigorously swing the cat downward to remove water from
the lungs. If he is still not breathing, perform
CPR.
Choking
If your cat is choking (gasping for air or
pawing at its mouth), attempt to find the object with a flashlight
and remove it with tweezers or a spoon handle.
Burns
Clean burns gently with
soap and water and then apply a cold compress
for 30 minutes. Cover the
burn with a loose bandage and take it to the veterinarian. Do
not apply ice or ointment directly to the area.
Electric
Shock
Most common in
kittens. If the cord
is still in his mouth, unplug it. If that is not
possible, use a wooden broom handle to remove the cat away
from the live wire. Cats often go into cardiac arrest
- perform CPR if necessary. Take the cat to the vet immediately.
There may be burns around the mouth and pulmonary edema
(fluid accumulation in the lungs) often develops.
Frostbite
Paws, tails, and ears are
the most common areas affected, and the
skin will appear pale at first (it becomes
red, hot, painful and swollen later). Warm
the frostbitten area rapidly by immersing it in warm water
for 15 minutes. Cover the area with a loose bandage,
being careful not to rub the skin, and get to your veterinarian
immediately.
Hypothermia
Caused by exposure to cold
weather, hypothermia can cause a very slow
pulse and breathing rate, seizures, coma,
and death. Give the cat a warm bath, taking a
rectal temperature every 10 minutes. When the cat reaches
101 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from bath and wrap the cat
in blankets/towels slightly warmed in dryer.
Heatstroke
Cats with heatstroke will
pant, have bright red gums, and could collapse. Rectal temperature can
hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the cat in towels
soaked in cool (not cold) water to lower its body temperature,
monitoring body temperature every 10 minutes. Stop
cooling when the temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Seizure
Common causes of seizures
include heatstroke, low blood sugar, brain
tumors, liver disease, and epilepsy. If
your cat has a seizure, make sure to clear
the area so the cat does not hit anything
during the seizure. Don't
try to hold the cat's mouth open - obstruction of the airway
by the tongue is not common, and this could result in an
accidental, serious bite. Cats do not have control
of their actions when having a seizure and could accidentally
clamp down and not let go. Provide gentle restraint
during the seizure by holding a light blanket or towel over
the cat. Afterwards, confine the cat and monitor its
breathing and pulse. Call your veterinarian and schedule
an appointment, notifying them of what happened.
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