Is Any Other Medication Required
Most likely your cat will be given a course of antibiotics, especially if the wound is infected or suspected of being contaminated. No topical treatments should be used, unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, as some seemingly harmless chemicals can actually damage tissues and delay wound healing.
Answer To Cat Swollen Cheek Question
You absolutely need to take your cat to the veterinarian right away. The most likely cause of a soft swelling on your cat’s face is a cat abscess. The two most common causes of feline abscesses on the face are: an abscess due to feline dental disease that is occurring secondary to an infected tooth or a feline abscess occurring secondary to external trauma to your cat’s face, most likely trauma from a bite wound from another cat or other animal. If a cat’s teeth haven’t been checked regularly and cleaned as necessary, it is very possible for a kitty to develop feline dental disease. A cat’s teeth are just like our own in the sense that they eat food, need to brush their cat teeth , need regular feline dental cleanings by the veterinarian, and need kitty dental check-ups at least once yearly, more often if they have prior cat dental disease or are older. If this is not done, a cat’s teeth can develop a large build-up of plaque and they can develop feline gingivitis. A tooth root abscess can also result. If the problem is not the result of cat dental disease, the other possibility is a bite from another cat or other animal. Feline abscesses often develop secondary to bite wounds. A cat’s abscess can take several days to a week or more to develop to the point that you notice it. In either case, or if it is something else less common, your cat needs to be checked by a veterinarian right away. Kindest Regards,
When Should I Call The Doctor
- The bite or scratch was from a cat and the wound does not seem to be healing.
- An area of redness around the bite keeps getting bigger.
- Your child has a fever that lasts for a few days after the scratch or bite.
If your child has already been diagnosed with cat scratch disease, call the doctor if your child has a high fever, lots of pain in a lymph node, seems very sick, or has new symptoms.
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What Should I Do If A Wound Is Bleeding
Initially attempt to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with an absorbent dressing such as dry gauze, followed by a layer of bandage material or a clean dry cloth. This will protect the wound during transport to the veterinary clinic and prevent any further contamination of the injury.
If possible, try to raise the affected area above the level of the heart. This will help reduce the flow of blood to the bleeding area.
Do not apply ointments, creams, disinfectants, or any other chemicals to the wound , as they can interfere with its eventual healing.
What To Do If My Cat Scratches A Lot
Treatment for a cat scratching their skin raw will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if the problem is due to a food allergy, we need to determine the type of food. This may take a prolonged trial and error process, but a veterinarian may have some better diagnostic tests for some of the most common food allergies in cats. If these are not available or do not find any results, an elimination diet will likely be implemented, depending on the severity of the allergy. Once the food is identified, we can remove it from their diet permanently.
If the cat scratches a lot because they have a parasitical infestation, treatment involves administering the correct antiparasitic products for the specific parasite. These can be administered in tablet, solution, pipette and other preparations.
When something more serious such as an immune disease or cancer is leading to the scratching, we need to visit the specialist. They will provide the right diagnostic tests, set out the treatment program and, importantly, provide a prognosis. Ignoring these problems or self-medicating them can be fatal.
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What To Do If Your Cat Gets Hurt
Indoor cat injuries are typically sustained from athletic misadventures , furniture accidents , burns and door slam injuries. You might be present when the accident happens, or you might come home to find an injured pet.
As soon as you spot an injury, call your veterinarian or local animal hospital and let them know you’re on your way. Treat every feline injury like an emergency. Even the most superficial wounds require immediate attention, and with cats, you never know how painful and complicated a simple limp might be. Almost all injuries heal faster with earlier veterinary intervention.
Treatment Of Skin Ulcers In Cats
Treatment of skin ulcers in cats vary depending on the underlying cause of the skin condition. Your veterinarian will tailor a treatment plan to your cats specific condition and overall health. The majority of felines can receive treatments at home as an outpatient, but if your cat requires supportive care, she may be required to stay in the clinic for a few days. An Elizabethan collar is often sent home with patients to prevent the cat from licking, biting or scratching at the ulceration, making the problem worse. Pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and antifungal medications are just a few medical options your veterinarian may recommend to your cat with a skin ulceration.
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How Should I Manage An Open Wound At Home
Following the specific instructions of your veterinarian, clean the wound two to three times daily with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water to remove any crusted discharge and keep wound edges clean. Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.
“Do not clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol.”
The wound may be bandaged to protect it from further contamination, or to prevent your cat from excessively licking it. Daily bandage changes, as demonstrated by your veterinarian, may be required if there is a lot of discharge from the wound.
Symptoms Of Skin Ulcers In Cats
The initial signs of skin ulcers in cats is a crusted area of the felines foot, nose or skin. As the ulceration progresses, or if the cat has inflicted self-manipulation, the skin problem can progress into an extensive lesion. The affected area may open, draining a thick, white substance, the area around the ulcer may become red and irritated, and the cat may lose hair in the area.
- Depigmentation
- Self-manipulation causing hot spots or infection
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Skin Infection In Cats
Another reason for wounds on a cat’s skin can be due to skin reactions or skin conditions. The skin condition doesn’t usually cause wounds directly, although it is a possibility. Often, the accompanying itch of the skin problem leads to the cat scratching or biting the affected areas and opening the skin in the process. This can lead to alopecia , cuts, scabs or even ulcers. These patterns of skin reactions have different causes, but the following stand out:
Home Remedies For Cats With Scrapes And Scratches
By: Shanna Freeman& Dr. H. Ellen Whiteley | Updated: Mar 31, 2021
Although they’re more common in outdoor cats, even your indoor cat may suffer the occasional scrape or scratch — especially if he or she plays rough, has a “spat” or gets into an out-and-out fight with another member of your furry family. The most common cause of abrasions in cats is, well, other cats.
If you discover that things have gotten out of hand, make sure that you find all of the wounds. Your cat’s fur can sometimes hide serious scrapes, so ruffle through it to be sure that you don’t miss anything. If there are just minor scratches, clean them up with soap and water just as you would your own. Don’t try to keep the cat from licking the scrape, either. Keep an eye on it, but the abrasion should heal up fine on its own.
Anything that bleeds noticeably needs more attention than a simple scratch. First, stop the bleeding with direct pressure, using a cotton ball or gauze. Trim the hair around the wound, and wash thoroughly with soap and water. Most abrasions heal better in the open air, and your cat would just pull off a bandage anyway. Keep the wound area clean and watch it closely. If the wound won’t stop bleeding with pressure, or there’s a lot of blood, get your cat to the vet immediately.
Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with a serious cat scrape or scratch, but if it does happen, take it seriously to avoid complications.
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Why Do Cats Fight
Cats are instinctively very territorial. They fight with other cats to protect their territory or to acquire more territory. As a result, fight wounds are common in cats. In cats, over 90% of infected wounds result from cat bites sustained during a fight with another cat. Dog, rat, and other rodent bites can occur but they are much less common.
Fight wounds frequently result in infection that can make cats quite ill, especially if left untreated. Fight wounds are more common in male cats than females and are most frequent in intact males.
Can Cat Scratch Disease Be Prevented
If you’re concerned about cat scratch disease, you do not need to get rid of the family pet. The illness is not common and usually is mild, and a few steps can help protect your kids from it:
- Teach kids to avoid stray or unfamiliar cats.
- When playing with a family pet or familiar cat, kids should avoid rough play to prevent being scratched or bitten.
- Have kids wash their hands after handling or playing with a cat.
- Keep your house and pets free of fleas.
If your child is scratched by a pet, wash the injured area well with soap and water.
If you think that someone caught cat scratch disease from your family pet, don’t worry that your cat will have to be euthanized . Talk with your veterinarian about how to handle the problem.
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How To Check Your Cat For Lumps
We all enjoy petting and stroking our feline companions. While you’re at it, take the time to check for suspicious lumps on his back, legs, mouth, and under his neck. If you have a female cat, watch for lumps on her belly, which could be a symptom of feline breast cancer. If you should find a lump, make note of the following:
- If it’s soft or hard
- Where it’s located
- If your cat exhibits discomfort when you touch it
- How it looks and smells. Does it have a bad odor? It is ulcerated, or oozing, or bleeding?
Any lump should be examined by your vet. Benign tumors in cats usually grow slowly and have well-defined edges, while malignant ones grow faster and may cause bleeding or pain.Nobody likes the thought of their kitty ever getting cancer, but ignoring the situation won’t help. The best way you can protect your feline companion from this disease is by knowing the symptoms. Treatment is more effective when cancer is caught early.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Risks Associated With Cat Scratches
Even during seemingly harmless play with your feline companion, occasional cat scratches are inevitable. Johns Hopkins Medicine says that kittens under 1 year old are even more prone to scratching you may notice more incidents during play and laptime snuggles as your younger cat is getting used to their movements.
Regardless of age, cat scratches can mean more than just pain and temporary red or discolored marks. These wounds can sometimes sting, bleed, and even become infected.
Both feral and domesticated cats may also transmit certain viruses and bacteria when they scratch human skin. Some of the possible health complications include:
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Why Use Vetericyn For Your Cats Wounds
Vetericyns antimicrobial liquid and hydrogel was designed to support your cats healing process and natural immune response. Its the first non-toxic, broad-spectrum, non-antibiotic, antimicrobial topical of its kind.
According to recent studies,3 Wounds treated with Vetericyn® have demonstrated a reduction in healing time of up to 60 percent. In vitro results show that Vetericyn® can safely kill 99.9999 percent of most single-cell pathogens within 30 seconds.
Put simply, Vetericyn is the safe, natural way you can treat almost any cats wound at any stage of its life.
Looking for more ways to care for cat issues? Check out our blogs on how often should you bathe a cat and how to treat conjunctivitis in cats.
Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian
Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm.
What Is Cat Scratch Disease
Cat scratch disease is caused by bacteria . People can get it if an infected cat or kitten scratches or bites them or licks an open wound.
Most cases in the U.S. happen during the fall and winter and usually affect kids, probably because they’re more likely to play with cats and be bitten or scratched.
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First Aid: How To Care For A Wounded Cat
Treating Cat Scrapes And Wounds
When an injury or cat scratch occurs, an animals immune system naturally fights off infection and works to facilitate the healing process. But that doesnt mean that you should let them heal unaided, especially if they appear to be suffering.
It pays to be overcautious and nip any problem in the bud by taking your cat in to the veterinarian.
So, if you notice your cat has an open wound, follow these steps:
- Pus discharge
- Noticeable pain or discomfort
- Behavioral changes
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How Can You Minimise The Risk Of Your Cat Being In A Fight
Desexing will assist in the territorial behaviour of cats but it will not completely eliminate fighting. Confining the cat to your house or to a cat enclosure, particularly at night when cat fights are most common, will reduce the number of bites your cat sustains.It’s also a good idea to discourage other cats coming into your backyard. For example, try not to leave food outside that will attract other neighbourhood cats.
How To Get Rid Of A Cut On Your Face
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 634,400 times.
Having a cut on your face can make you feel self-conscious about your looks and can leave you at risk for infection. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help get rid of the cut more quickly.
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