Page 76 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Basic first aid

If your cat is injured, carrying out some basic first aid checks may make
the difference between life and death. Be prepared for emergencies and
follow these guidelines to keep your cat safe until you reach the vet.

Danger signs Handling an injured cat
Keep the telephone numbers for Check the cat for broken bones and
Normal vital signs your vet and the emergency vet open wounds or bleeding, but try
Temperature 100.5–102.5°F service where you can easily find not to move him. Take care—even
(38–39°C) them. Call a vet immediately if your the most loving pet may bite or
Pulse 110–180 beats per minute cat has any of the following signs. lash out if it is in severe pain.
Respirations 20–30 per minute ■ Loss of consciousness If the cat has a fracture or severe
■ Seizures wound, lay him on a blanket with
Capillary less than two seconds ■ Rapid breathing, panting, or the injury uppermost and wrap the
refill time* struggling for breath wound up gently. Do not try to
*time for gum to regain ■ Fast or weak pulse splint broken bones yourself.
74 pink color after being
blanched by gentle ■ Hot or cold temperature—feel the If your cat has a hemorrhage
pressure with finger ears and pads of the paws (severe bleeding), raise the
■ Pale gums
bleeding area above the level of the
Feline emergencies ▽ Alerting your vet paralysis direct pressure with a pad of cloth,
■ Limping, difficulty in walking, or
cat’s heart, if possible, and apply
If your cat has a serious injury or a sudden,
to stem the blood flow.
■ Difficulty in standing, or collapse
severe illness, call the vet immediately so the
staff will be ready when you bring the cat in.
■ Serious injuries
Lift the cat carefully, with one
hand under the shoulders and the
other under the hips, and place
him in a carrier.
Loss of consciousness
If the cat is lying motionless, check
for consciousness. Touch the corner
of the eye to see if it blinks; flick
the tip of the ear to see if the ear
twitches; or pinch the skin between
the toes to see if the cat flinches.
If the cat is unconscious, check
“ABC”—airway, breathing,
and circulation.
■ Airway—open the mouth and
pull the tongue forward. Gently
sweep your little finger over the

“…check the “ABCs”
—airway, breathing,
and circulation.”

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