With the mating season comes the sounds of outdoor cats fighting, which can last for tens of minutes. However, actual fights are usually brief, as cats are pragmatic and avoid self – harm. But minor wounds from fights can become fatal if not treated.
Causes of Concern Fight injuries mainly come from scratches and bites. Scratches are usually visible and non – fatal, but bites are more troublesome. Bite wounds are hard to spot as they appear as small holes, often hidden by the cat’s fur. Moreover, cats’ mouths are full of bacteria. Untreated bite wounds can become infected and abscessed.
Immediate Actions If your cat is bitten, seek veterinary care immediately. While waiting for professional help, you can perform these first – aid steps:
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Wrapping the Cat: Use a clean blanket or bath towel to wrap your cat. This provides security and makes wound treatment easier by preventing scratches from pain – induced aggression.
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Preventing Infection: Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and remove dirt. If unavailable, use warm water. Cleaning is essential but may cause discomfort, so keeping the cat wrapped is important.
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Trim Fur Around the Wound: If possible, trim the fur around the wound to prevent it from being covered or contaminated by hair. However, if you’re not confident in your ability to do this without causing further stress or injury to the cat, it’s better to skip this step.
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Stop the Bleeding: If the wound is bleeding continuously, apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth or towel.
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Seek Veterinary Care: Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to prevent the situation from worsening.I also recommend that everyone prepare a list of emergency veterinary hospitals in advance, just in case.Lastly, if you’re bitten by a cat during the process, seek medical attention for yourself as well. Cat bite wounds are often deep and difficult to clean thoroughly, making them prone to serious bacterial infections and cellulitis.
