Cat First Aid XI

Bumps, Bruises and Limps

A cat that has suffered an bump in its daily antics may end up with severe bruising. Cats are proud animals and would rather keep themselves in solitude or go about their daily lives by soldiering on. If one observes their cat to behave a little strangely when interacting with them, there may be an area of discomfort that needs to be closely looked at. Regular grooming sessions will help pick up on these habits and any areas that become undesirable for the cat to have touched will require further inspection to discern what the underlying issue is. In some cases a bump or discoloration may occur which indicate bruising in the effect area. In other circumstance the bruises may take a longer timeframe to manifest due to how deep they are. The area will still be painful on contact and professional advice will be required for a check up to clarify what the issue is exactly.

Cat paws are very sensitive when becoming injured and when damage is done, a cat may attempt to over cleanse this area. Over time, this will become an apparent issue for the cat as it attempts to manoeuver around. An owner should be able to detect when a cat is limping simply through visual observation on a daily basis. Physical examination of the paw is recommended to assess what the issue is. In some cases there may be a sharp object stuck inside of smaller stature that requires removal. If this is visible to the eye. Treatment can be provided using a sterile pair of tweezers to remove the sharp piece from the paw. Cats will dislike this procedure in general and need reassuring throughout. A second pair of hands to soothe and secure the cat is advisable as the area is sterilised and treated. After treatment, a cat would be expected to return to its normal state within a few days. If the issue persists, there could very well be a deeper cause for concern and a vet will be needed for investigation and closure on the matter.

Cat mobility is also affected by strains within the body. This is a difficult situation to deal with as cats will not opt for bed rest. They will hunt, play and do as they need which will lead to further aggravation of the injury. This can lead to a situation where a wound will not heal over time. Measures should be taken to restrict movement to allow recovery of the strain. A visit to the vet will help check for the underlying issue and advise on a recovery procedure.