What is an open wound?
An open wound on a cat is defined as any break in the skin that leaves underlying tissues exposed. This includes punctures, bites, cuts, abrasions, abscesses, and sores 1. There are several common types of open wounds in cats:
- Puncture wounds – Caused by cat bites or other sharp objects piercing the skin. These are deep, narrow wounds.
- Bite wounds – Result from bites from other cats, dogs, wildlife, etc. Bite wounds are prone to infection.
- Abrasions – Superficial scrapes that damage the top layer of skin.
- Abscesses – Pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection of a wound.
- Sores – Shallow, irritated lesions that can weep fluid.
- Blisters – Fluid-filled bumps resulting from burns, friction, or allergic reactions.
Any break in the skin that exposes deeper tissues is considered an open wound in cats. These wounds require prompt first aid and veterinary care to prevent complications.
Causes of open wounds
Open wounds in cats are often caused by bites, scratches, and accidents. Cat fights are a common source of bite and scratch wounds if the skin is broken and bleeding occurs. These types of wounds can range from small punctures to larger, deeper lacerations.
Accidents such as getting caught in fences, doors, or furniture can also result in cuts, lacerations, or avulsions (tearing away of skin and tissue). Burns from heat sources or chemicals can lead to damaged and exposed skin. Other causes include surgical incisions that open up, as well as underlying skin conditions that cause ulceration and loss of skin layers.
According to VCA Hospitals, these types of traumatic wounds are by far the most common cause of open wounds in cats. Proper care and treatment is important to prevent infection and allow healing. Cleaning, bandaging, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery may be necessary depending on the severity of the open wound.
Signs of an open wound
An open wound on a cat may show several signs and symptoms. The most common signs to look for include:
Bleeding – Bleeding is a clear indicator of an open wound. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or sterile gauze if the wound is bleeding. Hold the pressure for a full 5 minutes to stop the bleeding (https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/wound-care-cats).
Pain – Cats may vocalize or act more aggressive when touched near an open wound due to pain and discomfort. Gently examining the area and watching for reactions can help identify pain (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-open-wounds-in-cats).
Swelling – Fluid and inflammation can cause swelling around an open wound. Look for puffiness, thickness, or swelling that is raised compared to the surrounding area (https://www.hopecrossing.com/site/blog/2023/02/28/cat-wound-care-complete-guide).
Redness – Red, inflamed skin surrounding a wound often indicates infection or inflammation. Take note of any red streaking extending from the wound as well (https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/wound-care-cats).
Risks of open wounds
Open wounds on cats carry several risks that require prompt veterinary attention to avoid complications. The most serious risk is infection, which can quickly spread from the wound site to the bloodstream or other areas of the body if left untreated (Vetericyn). Signs of infection include redness, swelling, discharge, foul odor, and fever.
Another potential complication is abscess formation. Abscesses occur when bacteria become trapped in the wound tissue, causing a pocket of pus to form. Abscesses are very painful and must be surgically drained and flushed by a veterinarian (VCA Hospitals).
Finally, open wounds that go untreated can lead to tissue death or necrosis around the wound site. This occurs when the blood supply to the tissues is compromised, causing the tissue to die. Necrosis requires debridement (surgical removal) of the dead tissue to allow healthy tissue to heal (VCA Hospitals).
Due to the serious risks like systemic infection, abscesses, and tissue necrosis, open wounds on cats should never be left untreated at home. Prompt veterinary care is essential to properly clean, debride and medicate open wounds in cats.
When it’s an emergency
An open wound on a cat can quickly become an emergency situation if it is large, deep, bleeding heavily, or located on the face. These types of severe wounds require immediate veterinary care.
Large open wounds have a high risk of infection due to increased exposure of underlying tissue. Deep puncture wounds are especially concerning because they can damage muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Heavy bleeding raises the risk of hypovolemic shock if blood loss becomes significant.
Facial wounds are considered emergencies even if they are small because they can damage sensitive structures around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Cats also frequently shake their heads, which can worsen injuries to the face.
Other signs that an open wound requires emergency veterinary care include if your cat is acting lethargic or crying in pain. The wound may need stitches closure, antibiotics, pain medication, and wound care instructions from your vet.
Do not wait to see if the wound improves on its own. Take your cat to the vet or emergency animal hospital immediately if their wound appears severe, will not stop bleeding, or is causing significant pain or distress.
First aid for open wounds
If your cat has an open wound, it’s important to administer first aid right away to stop bleeding and prevent infection. Here are some tips for providing first aid for cat wounds (source, source):
Stop the bleeding. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze pad. Don’t remove the gauze pad if it sticks to a clot. Apply pressure for at least 5 minutes or until bleeding stops.
Clean the wound. Use clean water or an antiseptic rinse like saline solution or dilute Betadine to flush debris from the wound. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide as this can damage healthy tissues. Be gentle and don’t scrub.
Bandage the wound. Cover the wound with a sterile, non-stick bandage or padding. Wrap softly with gauze or bandages, being careful not to restrict blood flow. Change dressings if they get wet or dirty.
See a vet for deep puncture wounds, large open gashes, wounds on the abdomen or chest, excessive bleeding, or if your cat seems in distress. With prompt first aid and veterinary care, most cat wounds can heal well.
Veterinary treatment
When you take your cat to the vet for an open wound, the vet will first do a full assessment of the injury. They will examine the wound to determine how deep it is, if there is any foreign material inside, and whether there is damage to underlying tissues, tendons, muscles or bones. The vet will also check for signs of infection like swelling, redness, heat and discharge.
After assessing the wound, the next step is cleaning. The vet will thoroughly flush the wound with sterile saline to remove debris, dirt and bacteria. They may use local anesthetics to numb the area before debriding or removing any damaged tissue or foreign material. This helps encourage healing and prevent infection.
If the wound is deep or long, the vet may decide sutures are needed to close it. Absorbable sutures are often used so they don’t need to be removed later. The vet may also apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage over the closed wound.
Your vet will likely prescribe oral antibiotics, even if there are no obvious signs of infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin help prevent bacteria from taking hold and causing a wound infection while the injury is healing. Pain medication may also be prescribed if needed.
With proper veterinary treatment, most open wounds can heal within 2-3 weeks. Your vet will schedule follow up appointments to monitor healing progress and make sure the wound is closing properly. They can provide at-home care instructions to support the healing process.
At-home care
If your cat has a minor open wound, you may be able to provide care at home while it heals. Here are some tips for caring for an open wound on a cat at home:
Keep the wound clean. Gently clean around the wound with a saline solution or mild soap and water once a day. Avoid hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can damage healthy tissue. Pat dry gently with a clean towel. According to The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Cat Wounds at Home, you may apply an antibiotic ointment like polysporin to help prevent infection.
Monitor for signs of infection. Check the wound daily for increased redness, swelling, discharge, or foul odor. Contact your vet if you notice any of these signs of infection.
Allow for rest. Keep your cat comfortable and limit activity to allow the wound to heal. Place food, water, and litter boxes in easy access areas.
Prevent licking or scratching. As noted in Best Pets Tips, you may need an Elizabethan collar to stop your cat from bothering the wound and slowing healing.
Recovery time
The recovery time for an open wound on a cat can vary greatly depending on several factors like the severity, location, and age of the cat.
Severe wounds or ones located over joints or bony parts of the body often take longer to heal. Deep wounds may require stitches and bandaging, extending recovery time. Facial wounds tend to heal faster than wounds on the legs or body.
Kittens and younger cats generally heal faster than older cats due to their active immune systems. However, kittens are more prone to infections that can delay healing.
For mild superficial wounds without complications, the average recovery time is 1-2 weeks. Deeper wounds or ones showing signs of infection may take 3-4 weeks to fully close and heal. Severe lacerations healing by second intention can take 4-8 weeks.
It’s important to closely monitor the wound and ensure proper cleaning and care at home to optimize recovery time. Any signs of redness, swelling, discharge or pain should prompt a veterinary visit. With proper treatment, most open wounds in cats fully recover within a few weeks.[1]
[1] https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/wound-care-cats
Prevention
There are several ways to help prevent open wounds in cats without resorting to declawing. Here are some tips:
Provide scratching posts and boards around your home so your cat has appropriate places to scratch and keep their claws trim. Offer different textures like sisal, cardboard, and wood so they have options.
Trim your cat’s nails regularly using cat-safe clippers. This keeps the nails blunt and less likely to snag and tear.
Use cat deterrent sprays on furniture and other off-limit areas. These harmless scents discourage unwanted scratching.
Consider nail caps if your cat is still scratching inappropriate objects. These plastic caps glue onto the nails to prevent damage.
Keep cats indoors as much as possible to avoid injuries from cars, fights with other animals, etc.
Make sure your home is cat-proofed by securing loose wires, storing household chemicals out of reach, covering sharp edges on furniture, and using window screens.
Provide plenty of fun toys to keep your cat stimulated and redirect their scratching instincts onto acceptable objects.
Consider adopting cats in pairs so they can expend energy playing together.
Reward and reinforce good behavior like using scratching posts. This positive reinforcement helps prevent unwanted scratching.
With training, supervision, and making your home cat-friendly, you can help prevent hazardous open wounds in your feline companion.
