Medical Information for Cat Injuries

Broken Bones

Cats can break bones by falling from high places, being hit by a car, becoming entangled in something and from many other causes. The fracture can be either open, meaning that the bone is protruding from the skin, or closed. A veterinarian should see cats with fractures, either open or closed, immediately. In order to prevent unnecessary movement of the bones, which will cause pain and additional damage to the underlying structures around the break, you should sandwich the affected area in a thick towel. Be cognizant of the fact that any movement of the fracture will cause immense pain and your pet may act uncharacteristically violent. Take care to keep from disturbing the area as much as possible while transporting your cat to the vet. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications to your cat, as they may be toxic.

Accidental ingestion of toxic compounds is quite common in cats. Two of the main culprits are ethylene glycol, or antifreeze, and warfarin, or rat poison. Poisoning can be a life-threatening emergency and prompt attention is necessary to prevent damage. If you suspect that your cat may have ingested a poison, try very quickly to identify the substance. This will help your veterinarian administer the proper treatment. Get your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The earlier the intervention, the better chance your cat has to make a full recovery.

Outdoor cats can easily become injured in a fight. Cat fight injuries are particularly troublesome in that not only is the cat in pain from the initial trauma, but because of the nature of the wound (most cat bite wounds are deep puncture wounds). Because cats' mouths are loaded with bacteria, these injuries almost always become infected. In many cases, the skin and surrounding tissue will heal over the bacteria, creating an infection pocket known as an abscess. Cats with abscesses can become feverish, lethargic and lose their appetites. There may be no other outward appearance of a wound or abscess, though most will swell somewhat due to the formation of pus. Sometimes these abscesses rupture, allowing the pus to drain. In these cases, keeping the wound open by careful cleaning is a must. For cats with unruptured abscesses, a veterinarian will need to open the wound surgically. All cats with abscesses need to be on a course of oral antibiotics and be tested for cat bite transmitted diseases such as feline leukemia and FIV.

Open wounds require proper aseptic wound care techniques designed to help the wound heal while preventing infection. You should carefully clean these wounds with warm water or antibacterial wash provided by a veterinarian up to three times per day. Injury location permitting, you should apply a sterile bandage to the affected area in order to keep germs and debris out of the wound, though keeping the cat from removing the bandage is sometimes extremely difficult.

Cats that experience seizures due to conditions such as epilepsy can also become injured. The seizures themselves rarely cause harm to the cat, though coming into contact with sharp or hot objects while seizing will cause injury. If your pet is injured during a seizure, the first thing you should do is remain calm. Cats coming out of a seizure are usually anxious and disoriented and can become highly agitated or scared if you are panicking. Next, determine the extent of the injury. Control any bleeding by applying steady pressure and check for broken bones. Take your cat to the veterinarian if the injury appears to be more than superficial.