Cats are known for being curious explorers who love to climb, jump, and play. This adventurous spirit means they are also prone to getting minor cuts, abrasions, and puncture wounds while out and about. According to the ASPCA, wounds and injuries are among the top reasons cats are brought to the veterinarian.
While some wounds require immediate veterinary care and stitches, not all wounds need this intensive treatment. Many minor wounds can heal on their own if properly cleaned and cared for at home. Knowing when an open wound requires stitches versus when natural healing is appropriate can help cat owners make the right choices for their pet’s health.
Causes of Open Wounds in Cats
There are several common causes of open wounds in cats:
Clawing and fighting with other animals is a frequent cause of wounds, especially wounds on the head, neck, and legs. Cats have sharp claws that can easily tear skin and cause lacerations when engaged in aggressive behavior with other cats or wildlife (VCA Hospitals).
Accidents like falls, burns, and automobile collisions can also result in traumatic open wounds. Cats can experience partial thickness burns, full thickness burns, chemical burns, or electrical burns, all of which damage skin and underlying tissue (PetMD).
Finally, complications from surgeries like spays, neuters, tumor removal, etc. can sometimes lead to incision sites reopening. Excessive licking and infection may cause surgical wounds to split open post-operation.
Assessing the Severity of the Wound
Determining the severity of a wound is important for knowing how to properly treat it. There are several factors to consider when evaluating an open wound on a cat:
Size – Larger wounds that are gaping open are more severe than a small puncture or scratch. The bigger the wound, the higher the chance it will require stitches or veterinary care.
Depth – Superficial wounds only affecting the skin’s surface tend to heal better on their own than deeper wounds extending into fat, muscle or bone. Deep wounds have a higher risk of infection.
Location on body – Wounds on the limbs, tail, ears or neck tend to bleed more and be more prone to reinjury when the cat moves around. Facial wounds near eyes, nose or mouth can be very serious. Wounds on the body trunk tend to heal better.
To accurately determine wound severity, gently inspect the wound after clipping fur around it. Seek prompt veterinary care for large, deep or widely gaping wounds. Clean minor wounds at home carefully based on severity.
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Risks of Leaving Wounds Open
Leaving a wound open on a cat poses several risks that pet owners should be aware of. The biggest risk is infection. Open wounds provide an entry point for bacteria that can quickly multiply, especially if the wound is contaminated. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, heat, discharge, and a bad odor [1]. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and become life-threatening.
Another risk is excessive bleeding. While minor wounds may eventually stop bleeding on their own, more severe lacerations can continue to ooze blood without stitches or other methods to close the wound. Uncontrolled bleeding can lead to anemia and other complications.
Finally, leaving a wound open may impair proper healing. The edges of the wound need to be brought together in order for the body to regenerate tissue and mend the injury site. Large open wounds may develop scar tissue that affects mobility or function. Pets may also repetitively lick or scratch at wounds, further delaying healing.
Due to these risks, veterinarians typically recommend closing larger wounds with sutures, staples, tissue glue or skin tape [2]. Pet owners should monitor all open wounds closely and seek prompt veterinary care if signs of infection or impaired healing arise.
When Stitches Are Necessary
Not all wounds require stitches. However, some wounds are too large, deep, or gaping to heal properly on their own. These types of wounds will need veterinary attention and likely stitches or staples to hold the skin together for proper healing.
In particular, wounds on the legs, paws, face, ears, neck, and body often require stitches. These areas have less skin laxity, making it difficult for the wound edges to knit back together without help. Wounds over joints or that gape open are also candidates for stitches.
Large or deep lacerations and puncture wounds also tend to require closure. The bigger the wound, the higher the chance stitches are needed for proper healing. Puncture wounds can be deceivingly small on the surface but penetrate deep into tissues.
Ultimately, your veterinarian will assess factors like wound size, depth, location, and degree of contamination to determine if stitches are required. They may also consider factors like your cat’s age and health when advising on the best treatment approach.
Caring for Open Wounds
Properly caring for an open wound is crucial for healing. The first step is to clean the wound by gently flushing it with a sterile saline solution or plain water to remove debris and prevent infection. Antiseptics like diluted chlorhexidine can be used, but avoid hydrogen peroxide as it can damage tissues [1].
Apply antibiotic ointment daily after cleaning, like polysporin, to prevent bacterial infection. Bandage the wound lightly to keep it clean, changing dressings regularly. Prevent the cat from licking or scratching the wound as this can introduce more bacteria. An Elizabethan collar may be necessary [2].
Pain management is also important for cat wound care. Consult your veterinarian about safe over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers if your cat seems uncomfortable. Limit activity to allow proper rest and healing. With diligent at-home care, many minor open wounds can heal well without stitches.
The Healing Process
Healing an open wound goes through several stages as the body works to close and mend the injury. According to the Marvistavet veterinary website, there are four main phases of wound healing:
- Inflammation – Starts immediately as the body sends nutrients and cells to clean and disinfect the wound.
- Debridement – Damaged tissue and contaminants are removed to prepare the wound for healing.
- Repair – New tissue forms to begin closing the wound through processes like scabbing, granulation, contraction, and epithelization.
- Maturation – Scar tissue reforms and contracts over time to continue strengthening the closed wound.
In the repair phase, scabs form from dried fluid and blood to cover and protect the injury. Underneath, granulation tissue containing new blood vessels and cells starts filling the wound bed to aid healing. Contraction occurs as the edges pull inward, helping shrink the wound. Epithelization is when new skin starts growing to cover the wound. According to the Marvistavet veterinary website, “The sequence is scab formation, then granulation tissue, then contraction, and epithelization last.” https://www.marvistavet.com/wound-healing.pml
Proper wound care can support and optimize these natural healing stages. Keeping the area clean and protected is important to prevent infection and additional damage. Your vet can advise you on the best dressings or ointments to aid healing. With time and care, your cat’s body can mend itself back together.
Supporting Healing Through Diet
Proper nutrition is critical for helping wounds heal faster in cats. According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, diets high in protein, vitamins and minerals can optimize wound healing.
Protein is especially important, as amino acids from dietary protein are used to build new tissue and promote collagen synthesis. Most experts recommend feeding cats a diet containing at least 25-30% protein on a dry matter basis while recovering from wounds. High quality sources of animal-based protein like chicken, turkey, eggs and fish can help meet these increased protein needs (Nutrition and Wound Healing).
Certain vitamins and minerals also play key roles in wound healing. Vitamin A is needed for epithelial and mucosal barrier repair, while vitamin C helps with collagen formation and immune function. Zinc assists with skin integrity and immune responses. These nutrients can be obtained through high quality commercial diets formulated for wound recovery and healing.
Avoid low protein, low calorie or low fat diets, as the cat needs nutrients and energy to fuel the healing process. It’s also best to avoid unnecessary supplements unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. An optimal recovery diet formulated for convalescing cats contains all the macro and micronutrients needed to support faster wound closure.
When to See the Vet
Even if a wound seems minor, it’s important to monitor it closely and seek veterinary care if any complications arise. Signs that a wound requires professional treatment include:
Infection – Look for redness, swelling, pus, foul odor, and fever, which indicate infection. Infected wounds need antibiotic treatment. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/wound-care-cats
Not improving – Wounds that don’t show signs of healing within 2-3 days likely need medical care. Deep or large wounds may take longer.
Bleeding – Uncontrolled bleeding, or bleeding that restarts, requires a vet visit to properly stop and assess the wound.
Foreign material – Wounds with debris, shrapnel, or other objects embedded need vet care for proper cleaning and closure.
Swelling/drainage – Significant swelling, oozing, or drainage indicates infection or fluid buildup that needs treatment.
Location – Wounds on the face, paws, joints or abdomen are higher risk and need monitoring.
Pain – If the cat seems in pain or stops normal activities, the wound may be worse than it appears.
Veterinary care ensures proper cleaning, antibiotic treatment, pain control, and assessment to determine if stitches or other treatment are required for optimal healing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while some minor open wounds may heal on their own without stitches in cats, more severe lacerations or cuts that are wide and deep typically require sutures and veterinary care. Leaving these large open wounds increases the risk of infection, fluid loss, and poor healing. Assessing the location, size, and depth of the wound are important factors in determining if stitches are needed. Providing proper at-home care like cleaning and bandaging the wound, restricting activity, and supporting healing through diet can help open wounds heal optimally. However, it’s recommended to have a veterinarian examine any significant open wound in cats to determine if stitches or other treatment is required for proper healing. While cats can be prone to injuries that result in open wounds, being vigilant about wound care and seeking veterinary guidance when needed can help ensure your cat recovers fully.
