Cats are very intelligent but also curious. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to keep them protected from things that can harm them, accidents can happen. That is why it is very important to always have a first-aid kit at home with everything we might need in those cases.
So let's see what is first aid for cats so we know how to react our furry ones have gotten into trouble.
Dehydration
If our cats are dehydrated We will notice it right away as your gums will be dry and sticky and your skin will have lost elasticity. To help them, We have to administer physiological saline or, if we do not have it, we will mix a small spoonful of sea salt in 250ml of water and we will give it to you with a syringe without a needle.
Wounds
In case of injuries we will see that they can become aggressive, so it will be important to put on gloves or even wrap them with a towel. They may have internal or external injuries:
- External wound: it will be easily seen. With gauze, we will press the wound for about 10 minutes. If it is not very deep we can use hydrogen peroxide to clean it; but if the bleeding does not stop or it is very deep we will have to take them to the vet.
- Internal wound: we can suspect that they have if they show pale gums, if they have problems breathing normally, if they have cold legs or lethargy. You have to go to the vet as soon as possible.
Airway obstruction
Sometimes they can swallow things they shouldn't, which causes trouble breathing. If they are conscious, we will calm him down and, with the help of another person and some tweezers, we will remove the object.
If they are unconsciousWe will lay them on their side and press with the hand from the throat to the head so that the object can come out. Another option is to place them face down so that it is visible and can be removed. Anyway, the visit to the vet is mandatory.
Poisoning
Whether they have ingested toxic plants such as cleaning products or other dangerous substances, their lives can be in danger. Depending on what they have consumed, we will have to act in one way or another:
- Toxic food or plant: you have to make them vomit by inserting a finger into their throat and pressing gently.
- Corrosive or acidic products (bleach, ammonia, etc.): we will give them milk to drink. If they do not want to ingest it, we will give it to them with a syringe without a needle.
If we do not know what they have ingested, we will not make them vomit or give them anything to drink as we could make their situation worse. What we must do is take them to the vet.
Fractures
If they have fallen badly, they will feel a lot of pain and will have difficulty moving. In these situations you have to keep them immobile, for example introducing them in the carrier or supporting them on a cardboard holding them to it with a towel.
In the case of an open fracture, we will put pressure on it to stop the bleeding. More information here.
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