According to the Humane Society of the United States, every cat owner should have a feline first aid kit. Any cat owner should have a pet first aid guide to use as a reference. Of course, the veterinarian is the authority on first aid for cats. The number for the veterinarian should be easily accessible in case of emergencies.
There are a few standard items that should be in any cat first aid kit. A rectal thermometer should be included. A cat’s rectal temperature should always be between 100 degrees and 103 degrees. If the cat’s temperature falls outside that perimeter, the veterinarian can be contacted.
Sterile gauze and bandages, adhesive tape, and antiseptic ointment or spray should be in the kit in case the cat sustains a cut or similar injury. Any injury caused by trauma, such as being hit by a car, should be checked by a veterinarian. In cases of trauma, there may be internal injuries that may not be evident to the cat’s owner. Cat injuries caused by another cat should also be checked by a veterinarian. If bleeding is persistent, the veterinarian should be consulted.
A pillow case of towel can be helpful to confine the cat during treatment. Ear cleaning solution, cotton balls, and nail clippers can be kept in the first aid kit. The humane society also suggests the inclusion of hydrogen peroxide, petroleum jelly, tweezers, pliers, ice pack, splint, and a penlight or flashlight. A muzzle can be helpful since injured cats are more likely to bite than usual. A cat carrier should be accessible in case there is a need to transport the injured cat to the veterinarian.
Some other sources recommend the inclusion of Bitter Apple spray to discourage the cat from licking the injury. Also, a nutritional supplement may be helpful in times when the cat is vomiting or refusing to eat. A rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte, can be used. Nutritional supplements such as Vitacal or Nutristat may be used. A cat owner that is familiar with forced feeding may want to keep a syringe in the first aid kit. The veterinarian should be contacted if vomiting lasts for over twenty-four hours.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hi I have a problem with my pixie-bob,he either got into a closet-with fiberglass exposed-or he is overgrooming himself because of a new pet in my house. He is starting to go bald,I think hes pulling out his hair.But I don’t have the money to take him to a vet,so I need a home remedy. I have washed him with Chamomile waterless shampoo, and puppy shampoo. He eats fine, nothing else seems to be wrong. I can’t believe that one vet that I called wants me to relinquish my baby cuz I can’t afford a vet bill. I’m disabled, and live on a modest income.After I pay rent and bills, there’s only a few dollars left.
So please help me save my boy.
Btw he’s a pixie-bob and his name is Yoda.
December 13th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Sorry to hear about your problem with Yoda. I hope a veterinarian or other expert can answer your question here. I had a few thoughts when I read your comment.
First of all, you have a new pet in the house. Is there any chance that Yoda could have gotten fleas from this new pet or another source? Some animals are allergic to the saliva from fleas. They can develop nasty rashes and lose hair. Check Yoda carefully for any signs of fleas.
My other concern is that with the winter months, the indoor air tends to be drier than usual. Feeding a cat wet food can help. Some people recommend giving the cat a small amount (approximately half a tablespoon) of butter with their meals if their skin is dry.
Please don’t use products on Yoda that are designed for dogs. Some dog products can be poisonous to cats. Please be careful about that. I can understand what it’s like to live on a tight budget. You may want to consider pet health insurance. The premiums are very affordable. There is an article about it on this website. Let us know how things work out for you and Yoda.
-Sheila
May 5th, 2009 at 5:57 am
kucing saya susah susah buang air (pipis), dia tampak gelisah dan lemas. Waktu mau buang air, selalu tak keluar. Malah yang keluar seperti diare, bukan pipis. Kucing saya jadi diare terus menerus. Dia juga muntah, dan muntahnya ada sekali saya temui ada darahnya.
Saya bawa ke klinik hewan, kata dokternya dia susah buang air, dokter disana berkata bahwa testisnya keras dan ada sumbatan di dalamnya yang harus dibersihkan. Dia harus opname untuk dipasangi K-teter & infus. Ternyata keesokan harinya, kucing saya itu meninggal. Kata dokternya pipisnya sudah berdarah, sumbatannya sudah terlalu dalam, jadi tidak dapat tertolong.
Apa menurut pendapat anda ? Apa benar sakit yang diderita adalah susah buang air? apa benar tindakan yang dilakukan oleh dokter tsb? Ini supaya saya dapat mempertimbangkan apabila saya mengadopsi kucing lagi.
terima kasih.