by Tammy L Mahan

Created on: September 16, 2008   Last Updated: July 30, 2010

The first thing to do when you rescue a wounded cat is to check the level of injury. If the injury is not serious like a minor cut or scratches or a torn nail then the cat can be treated at home. But in case of a broken limb, high fever, or an ailment that needs surgery please take the cat to the veterinary doctor as soon as possible. Ensure that the cat stays warm and dry always. Select a well ventilated area to keep the cat.

The area should preferably have less traffic as a lot of noise can disturb the cat. A spare box can be used as a bed. For the bedding use a thick layer of newspaper and a clean piece of cloth. Do not give the cat a bath, as this can do more harm then good. Feed the cat at regular intervals. You can feed the cat 75% milk mixed with 25% water. You can also add a tiny amount of glucose powder in the milk, to give the cat some extra energy.

Cats are wild creatures and tend to get into fights. Small scratches or wounds can be cleaned with a damp cloth. An antiseptic ointment or lotion can be applied to avoid infection. If the wound bleeds then the bleeding can be stopped by applying pressure on the wound with a wad of absorbent cotton or cloth. A burn ointment or olive oil can be used to treat minor burns. A paste of baking soda and water can be applied to a bee bite after removing the stinger.

After applying any kind of ointment, make sure that the cat does not lick the area at least for 30 minutes. You can prevent the cat from licking the area by tying a bandage around the wounded area. The bandage should not be tied very tightly as this can cause a blood clot. The bandage should be tied in a way that it does not fall off and the cat remains comfortable.

Always consult a veterinary before administrating any kind of consumable medicine. Some medicines that are safe for humans can prove to me harmful for animals.

Do not force the cat to drink the medicine as the cat may get angry and hurt you. Liquid medicine can be mixed in milk and fed to the cat. A rubber syringe can also be used to feed the medicine to the cat. Tablets can be stuffed into a tasty treat, and then be given to the cat.

Caring for a stray wounded cat is a noble thing to do of course if you have the extra money it is always best to take the cat to a veterinary to make sure their are no "hidden" serious injuries and to avoid an injury to yourself.

www.catcare.org
www.petsforlife.com

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