How to Treat a Cat Puncture Wound
Cats normally jump around like they are invincible creatures but they are very susceptible to wounds and cuts just like the rest of us, particularly when they are outdoors. This is because cats can get involved some sticky situations including fights with squirrels, dogs or even other cats. Other ways they can get puncture wounds is by running into any sharp object or suffering bruises and scrapes sustained from squeezing through spaces, which are tight. Some of these puncture wounds may be minor and is possible to treat them from the comfort of your home. However, more serious wounds ought to be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.
Treatment
Cuts or scrapes on your cat that are very small should never be a cause of too much worry. This is because minor abrasions heal on their own and do not need your intervention. If your cat suffers a minor injury, try to keep an eye on its wound site by checking for any sign of healing. Seek professional assistance if redness, swelling or even oozing occurs.
However, puncture wound sites should be treated differently. Puncture wounds can be as a result of another animal biting your cat and this can get infected quite easily. This also applies to deep cuts.
If left untreated, the danger of puncture wounds is that they can seal over and in doing so, trap bacteria and dirt inside. This means that puncture wounds have the potential to form pus-filled pockets or abscesses. Therefore, your cat will experience lethargy, fever and a lot of pain.
The following are some insightful tips on how to treat a cat puncture wound:
- Secure your cat. It is important to do this even for friendly cats because they are usually in pain or are frightened. This means that you might need the assistance of someone else. The ideal way of doing this is to hold the cat by the scruff of its neck.
- Apply pressure to the puncture wound on your cut. This helps to stop bleeding.
- Carefully clean the edges of the puncture wound.
- Clean the wound itself using a high-quality pet care product. We recommend Vet Aid’s Animal Wound Care Foam. Use clean finger tips to apply the foam in a gentle manner in the skin area that is affected. This procedure should be repeated religiously after every five hours i.e. 3-5 times daily.
Ensure that the vaccinations for your cat are all up to date, particularly rabies because the puncture wound may be from another animal. If your cat continues to limp or the wound is tender, it is a strong indication that you need to visit a veterinary doctor immediately so that he or she can flush the wound.
Conclusion
It is important to note that any cat wound, which involves minor blood loss or punctures ought to be looked at by a veterinary doctor as soon as possible. Keep cats indoors as a prevention measure from other felines that portray territorial aggression. At least you will be sure it cannot catch fatal rabies. You were wondering how to treat a cat puncture wound? Now you know.
