In case your cat has suffered in an accident or is still suffering from an onset of a sudden condition, a basic cat first aid may help to save its life. Due to the fact that cats cannot explain what has happened to them or where they are hurt, it is very important that you are able to learn to read the indications of distress and do what is essential in keeping your cat thriving ‘til it s treated by the vet.
Firstly, you need to be careful to not do any harm. Your own objective in the administration of the first aid to preserve the life, promote recovery, alleviate suffering, and prevent any aggravation of the injury or condition. Above all, take a deep breath and stay as calm as possible. In case you are upset, your cat will be able to sense the alarm and make it impossible for you in administering the first aid.
Basic Cat First Aid: Be prepared with your kit
There are no cat owner must be without a cat first aid kit. You may purchase cat first aid kits or make your own. A large plastic tote is essential for storing your first aid kit. Moreover, it is suggested that you make not just one, but two kits, one you can use at home, and the other one, you can use in travelling to places where you bring your pet.
Your kit should include the following:
- A blanket
- A splint
- Antibacterial ointment
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages
- Batteries
- Benadryl
- Books on pet and human first aid
- Buffered aspirin
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Eye wash
- First aid tape
- Flashlight
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Large bottle of water
- Leash
- Mineral oil
- Pepto bismol
- Prescription medications
- Prints of vet documents
- Rubbing alcohol
- Scissors
- Self-activating hot pack
- Self-activating ice pack
- Sterile gauze pads
- Sterile latex gloves
- Styptic powder for the stopping of bleeding
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
At any time possible, a cell phone with a service that can reach 911 in case of emergency with the contact number of the nearby emergency vet clinic is a great addition to the cat emergency first aid kit. You need to check your batteries from time to time, to make certain that they’re ready to go when you really need them in emergency.
Vital Signs
One of the most important things to learn about the basic cat first aid is checking the vital signs.
The vital signs of your cat may help in determining how austere the illness or injury is. As the general guideline, the cat’s normal temperature, respiration and pulse may fall within the following ranges:
- Respiration: 20 to 30 per minute
- Pulse: 160 to 240 per minute
- Temperature: 100.4’ Fahrenheit to 102.5’ Fahrenheit
It is always a good thing to take the baseline measurements if your cat is relaxed and healthy, as well as keep the numbers in the first aid kit. This may also give you the practice of taking the vital signs of your cat so that you are adroit at it preceding to an emergency.
Bear in mind that if your cat has suffered noteworthy trauma, it is more important to get it to the vet clinic. Rather than to use the minutes wresting with it to get a temp or trying to find the femoral artery to get its pulse.
How to take cat’s temperature?
Unless that cat is not usually submissive, you will need a helper who will hold the cat to take the temperature. Here is how you will do it:
- Lubricate the thermometer tip with KY jelly or petroleum or some other water-soluble lubricant.
- Have the helper grab the scruff of the neck gently, and hold the front legs.
- Lift the cat’s tail and slowly insert the thermometer in the rectum.
- Do not force it. Slowly and gently insert the thermometer about an inch and hold it still until the thermometer finally beeps.
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature indicated.
Exemptions:
- If your cat is having a difficulty in breathing, you need not to attempt in taking the temperature.
- Kittens under the age of four weeks don’t have self-regulating temperatures yet. They actually depend on the maternal body contact, in order to stay warm. They need to maintain a temperature of 96’ Fahrenheit for the normal milk digestion.
What to do in an emergency?
- Take away the collar of the cat.
- Clear its airways to make sure that it can breathe freely.
- Clear its nose and throat for any foreign object, fluids, or blood.
- Give some artificial respiration if it isn’t breathing.
- Use a pressure tourniquets or points to stop or just to control the bleeding.
- Perform CPR when your cat’s in cardiac arrest.
- Apply clean, dry dressings to the wounds.
- Keep it warm to avoid any shock.
- Move the cat as little as possible to keep from causing any harm.
- If the cat is unconscious, lift the body to a position where the head is a bit lower than the rest of the body.
- Transport the cat to a vet or pet clinic.
If you are prepared for emergency, you will be in much better position to save the cat’s life. Keep the pet first aid kit in an accessible area and practive some basic first aid before the life of the cat depends on it.
