Assess the Wound
When your cat has a wound, it’s important to take some time to properly assess it before attempting any cleaning or treatment. Carefully look at the location of the wound on your cat’s body, as well as the size and depth of it. Wounds on the legs, face, or stomach may need more urgent care than wounds on the back or tail.
Check to see if there is any active bleeding from the wound. Look for any oozing pus or swelling around the area, which could indicate infection. Also note if the skin around the wound feels hot to the touch. Check if your cat seems to be in pain when you examine the wound.
Try to identify what caused the wound if possible. Common causes include bites, scratches, burns, trapped fur or debris, abscesses, surgeries, and accidental cuts. Knowing the cause can help determine the right course of treatment.
If the wound is deep, large, bleeding significantly, or already appears infected, contact your veterinarian right away. For milder wounds, continue assessing the wound’s severity before moving forward with cleaning and care. Your vet can provide guidance if you are unsure how serious the wound is.
Source: https://www.21cats.org/how-do-you-know-when-a-cats-wound-is-healing/
Prepare Supplies
Before cleaning your cat’s wound, you’ll need to gather the proper supplies. Having everything you need ready ahead of time will make the process easier. Some of the key items to have on hand include:
- Cotton swabs, gauze, antibiotic ointment, bandages – You’ll need soft cotton materials to gently dab and clean the wound area. Antibiotic ointment helps prevent infection. Bandages help protect the wound after cleaning.
- Tweezers, scissors – Use sterile tweezers to remove debris from the wound. Scissors can help trim hair around the wound.
- Warm water, mild soap – Gently flush the wound with warm water to remove dirt and debris. A mild, non-irritating soap helps clean the area.
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding – If the wound bleeds, styptic powder can help stop bleeding and clot the area.
Having all your supplies gathered in one place ahead of time will make the process more efficient. Be sure to only use sterile, clean materials when caring for your cat’s wound.
Clean the Wound
To clean the wound, you will need a soft washcloth, mild soap, and warm water. Fill a bowl with warm water and mix in a small amount of gentle, unscented soap. Dip the washcloth in the soapy water and gently dab at the wound to remove any dirt, debris or dried blood. Take care not to scrub hard or cause more bleeding. You can also use cotton balls or gauze pads instead of a washcloth. Gently swipe the cotton or gauze over the wound to soak up debris. Use a fresh cotton ball or gauze pad for each pass over the wound to avoid contamination.
Be extremely gentle as you clean, especially if the wound is deep. Don’t use any antiseptic cleaners like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol, as these can damage tissue. Warm water and mild soap are the safest and most effective way to clean a cat wound. Make sure to thoroughly yet delicately clean the entire area around the wound, not just the wound itself. However, avoid getting soap or water into the actual open wound, as this can cause irritation.
If your cat has a dried scab over the wound, do not scrub or pick at it. Gently soak the area with a warm, wet washcloth to loosen and remove the scab. Wipe away any pus or exudate draining from the wound with a clean cotton ball. You want the wound to be free of debris and germs, but take care not to disturb healthy scabs forming or disrupt the healing process.
Control Bleeding
It is important to control any bleeding from a cat wound as soon as possible to prevent further blood loss. To stop bleeding from a cat wound:
- Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean towel, cloth, or sterile gauze pad. Hold steady pressure on the wound for 5-10 minutes without lifting to allow a clot to form.
- If blood soaks through the gauze or towel, do not remove it. Simply place more gauze or another towel on top and continue applying pressure.
- If the bleeding does not stop with applied pressure, you can use a styptic powder or pencil specially formulated to help control bleeding in pets. Gently dab the styptic powder onto the wound.
- For severe bleeding that cannot be controlled, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. The vet can provide medical treatments to control the bleeding.
Controlling bleeding quickly after a cat wound can help prevent ongoing blood loss, infection, and other complications. Apply steady pressure, use styptic products if needed, and don’t hesitate to contact your vet for hard-to-control bleeding.
Disinfect the Area
After cleaning the wound, it’s crucial to disinfect the area to prevent infection. According to Wikihow, you can use a salt water solution as a natural disinfectant. Make sure to pat the area dry before applying anything else.
Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment like polysporin to the wound using a cotton swab. Antibiotic ointments help fight off infection causing bacteria (1).
If the wound is dirty or infected, use a gentle antiseptic like chlorhexidine solution. Dilute it and apply it to the wound with a clean cloth. Be very careful not to get any in the cat’s eyes. Follow all label instructions closely (2).
Proper disinfection helps keep the wound clean while it heals and prevents complications like abscesses from developing.
Sources:
(1) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-open-wounds-in-cats
(2) https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Cat-Wound
Bandage the Wound
After cleaning and disinfecting the wound, you will want to cover it with a bandage to keep it clean and protected while it heals. It’s important to use the proper materials and technique when bandaging a cat’s wound.
Start by covering the wound with a non-stick, non-adhesive dressing or gauze. This will prevent the bandage from sticking to the wound. Wrap the gauze snugly but not too tight – you don’t want to cut off circulation but also want it secure enough to stay in place.
Next, wrap a self-adhesive bandage or vet wrap over the gauze. Make sure to extend the wrap an inch or two beyond the edges of the wound to provide ample coverage and security. As you wrap, gently press on the bandage to activate the adhesive and keep everything in place.
It’s recommended to change the bandage 1-2 times per day, especially if it gets dirty or wet. This helps keep the wound clean and allows you to monitor healing progress. Be very gentle when removing bandages to avoid disturbing newly formed scabs or tissue.
Proper bandaging is crucial for protecting wounds and facilitating healing. Always use clean materials and aim for a snug but not too tight wrap. Change bandages regularly until the vet confirms the wound has fully closed.
Sources:
https://www.askaivet.com/pet-health/can-i-cover-my-cats-wound-with-a-bandage-instead-of-using-a-cone
Allow Healing
After cleaning and bandaging the wound, it’s important to allow the area time to heal without further irritation or injury. Preventing your cat from licking or chewing the bandage is essential. You may need to use an Elizabethan collar to stop them from interfering with the wound.
Limit your cat’s activity during the healing process to prevent them from re-injuring the wound with jumping, running or rough play. Confine them to a small room or crate when you can’t supervise.
Check the wound daily for signs of infection like pus, swelling or redness which indicates veterinary treatment is needed. Healthy healing involves the wound closing up and gradually forming a scab without discharge or inflammation. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about how the wound is healing.
With proper cleaning and bandaging, most small wounds can heal within a week. More serious or larger wounds may require sutures and take 2-4 weeks to fully close. Be patient during the healing process and allow your cat to recover before resuming normal activity levels.
See the Veterinarian
For serious wounds, deep lacerations, or infected wounds, it’s important to take your cat to see the veterinarian as soon as possible. According to PetMD, any wound that goes deeper than the skin and into muscle or bone tissue requires professional treatment. Deep wounds have a higher risk of infection and may need stitches or surgery to properly close and heal.
You should also take your cat to the vet if the wound bleeds steadily for more than 5-10 minutes and cannot be stopped with direct pressure. Uncontrolled bleeding could lead to blood loss and shock, so prompt veterinary care is essential.
Wounds on sensitive areas like the eyes, face, or abdomen should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible. Facial wounds in particular can damage nerves or ligaments that control expressions or whisker movements. Abdominal wounds risk damaging internal organs and causing internal bleeding.
Finally, if you notice any signs of infection – redness, swelling, heat, pus, foul odor – take your cat to the vet right away. Infections should be treated quickly before they spread further and cause complications.
Provide Pain Management
Depending on the location and severity of the wound, your cat may be in significant pain. It’s important to discuss pain management options with your veterinarian if needed. Some options may include prescription medications like buprenorphine or meloxicam. Your vet can help determine the appropriate pain medication and dosage for your cat’s specific situation.
You can also help manage your cat’s pain levels at home by limiting activity and stimulus around the wound site. Confine your cat to a small room or space without stairs or furniture to jump on. Restrict access to other pets that may bother your injured cat. Keep noise and activity in the home low to avoid stress.
Ensure your cat’s litter box is easily accessible so they can get to it without struggling or causing further pain. Consider setting up an additional litter box on the same level as your cat’s resting and feeding area while recovering. Scoop waste frequently to keep the box clean.
With vet guidance, over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or topical numbing creams may also help provide some pain relief for your cat. However, consult your vet before giving any human pain medication to cats.
Prevent Future Injury
Preventing future wounds starts by trying to determine how the original wound occurred. Observe your cat’s environment and behavior to identify potential hazards or sources of injury. For example, a scratch on the face may signal rough play with another pet, a torn nail could indicate an unsafe scratching post, and abscesses are sometimes caused by cat fights outside.
You can cat-proof your home by getting rid of sharp objects, covering cords and houseplants, taping down carpets, and installing cat tunnels or wall shelves to create safe spaces off the floor. Provide appropriate scratching posts, cat trees, and interactive toys to give your cat positive ways to scratch and play. Place scratching posts near furniture or areas your cat likes to scratch.
By removing household dangers and providing suitable alternatives, you can redirect your cat’s scratching and play in a way that prevents painful injuries in the future. Keep your cat mentally stimulated and watch for signs of stress or aggression that may lead to fights. With some effort you can keep your curious cat safe, healthy and happy.
For more tips, see this guide on preventing cat wounds at home: [1]
[1] https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/wound-care-cats
