WHEN handling, roll the cat over onto the right side with the head tilted backwards and in a position lower than the rest of the body.
Advantages of this position are:
- It opens up the airway.
- It prevents the tongue obstructing the airway.
- Vomit, fluid and foreign material will drain out of the mouth.
- It makes it easier to observe and check the cat’s breathing and heartbeat.
Cover the cat with a blanket or towel to help maintain normal body temperature. The cover should not restrict breathing or make it difficult to check circulation (by checking the colour of gums and tongue, heartbeat), or other injuries.
If the cat is unconscious, not breathing, and perhaps has a blue tongue:
- Apply resuscitation immediately and check for severe bleeding before making any further assessment.
If the cat is conscious and not aggressive
- Do not touch the cat.
- Take a blanket or towel in your hands, talk to the cat reassuringly, and quickly but gently place the cover completely over and around the cat.
- Touch the cover around the head of the cat to assess its reaction.
- If the cat does not appear to be aggressive, take hold of the still covered cat with both hands behind the shoulders and lift the cat into a suitable basket or cage from which there is no escape.
- Take the cat to your veterinarian.
- If no suitable basket or cage is available, ensure the cat is securely wrapped before transporting to your veterinarian.
If the cat is conscious and not aggressive
- Rub the back of your hand behind the cat’s ears and then turn your hand to take a good handful of the scruff of its neck. This grip gives you good control of the cat, particularly the head.
- Then assess the cat’s condition.
DID YOU KNOW?
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