Assessing the injured cat – Part three

ASSESSING the cat’s condition:

1. If the gums are pale or white and there is no sign of severe external bleeding, the cat is probably suffering from shock or internal blood loss.

Take the cat to the veterinarian immediately.

2.If the gums are pink, it is a good sign that there is no major blood loss externally or internally.

• Carefully run your free hand over the cat’s body.
• Look and feel for a wound, swelling or painful area.
• Check the movement of the limbs and note if there is pain, swelling, a grating sensation or a floppy limb which is irregular in appearance. Note if the cat itself cannot move one or more of its limbs. These signs indicate that the limb, pelvis or spine may be broken or the joint dislocated.
• Prop the cat up on four legs and encourage it to walk
• If the cat flops down, walks on three legs and carries the fourth, limps, staggers, refuses to move, cries frequently as if in pain or breathes in a laboured, panting fashion, wrap the cat in a blanket for warmth and to counteract shock and visit the veterinarian immediately.

Lifting and carrying: If the cat is able to stand but reluctant to walk.

1. If a forelimb is injured, lift the cat by holding the scruff of its neck in one hand and support the body by cupping the other hand around the hindquarters.
2. If a hind limb or pelvis is injured, lift the cat by holding the scruff of the neck in one hand and support the body by placing the other hand under the chest.

If the cat is unable to stand:

1. Improvise a stretcher by placing a towel, coat or folded rug or blanket on the ground next to the injured cat.
2. Take the cat by the scruff of the neck in a firm grip and pull it on to the improvised stretcher.
3. One person takes hold of the corners of the stretcher at one end while another person holds the corners at the other end
4. Lift and carry the cat to safety, then home or to a car for transportation to a veterinary hospital.

READ ALSO

Part 1: How to approach an injured cat

Part 2: How to handle an injured cat

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