Wound Care for Cats

Taking proper care of your cat̵7;s wounds helps facilitate recovery and healing. Wounds come in many shapes and sizes, and both housebound and outside cats are prone to injury at one time or another. Knowing basic wound care can help you manage minor wounds at home, or help heal a wound being treated by your veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian for wound care recommendations if you are unsure of how to properly care for your cat̵7;s injury.

  1. Scratches and Abrasions

    • Superficial damage to your cat̵7;s skin can occur in the form of scratches, abrasions or small cuts that damage the surface of the skin. Cleanse these types of wounds with a mild soap and water, or rinse liberally with sterile water. Ensure the wounds are clean of debris and any dried body fluids, such as blood. Once clean, inspect the wound closely to be sure a more serious injury hasn̵7;t occurred, such as a puncture wound that can become seriously infected.

      Dry the wound completely and apply triple antibiotic cream to the area twice per day to prevent infection. Bacteria that live on the surface of your cat̵7;s skin and hair follicles can cause infection in scratches and abrasions. Applying antibiotic cream will help control the bacteria and keep the wound clean. Asses your cat̵7;s wound daily and consult a veterinarian if the wound does not seem to be healing or if signs of infection occur, such as red, irritated or swollen skin, pus or foul-smelling discharge.

    Punctures and Lacerations

    • Punctures and lacerations penetrate the skin more deeply. Punctures may be caused by the claws of another cat during a fight, or other sharp object, and can be serious if left untreated. Lacerations may sever the surface of the skin, or go deeper into the tissues. Cleanse all puncture wounds and lacerations by irrigating with sterile water and dressing with antibiotic cream.

      Consult your veterinarian if you cat has suffered a puncture wound, as bacteria and fluid can accumulate deep inside the puncture and cause a serious infection. Lacerations more than 24 hours old are not able to be sutured, as the risk for infection is high after this amount of time. See your veterinarian immediately if your cat's laceration appears to need stitches, or has uncontrolled or severe bleeding.

      An abscess may form beneath the skin from a puncture wound or other injury that broke the integrity of the skin and allowed bacteria inside. A wound that produces an abscess may not be apparent until the abscess ruptures. Inspect your cat̵7;s wound for pus-like drainage that may contain blood and a foul odor. Take your cat to a veterinarian immediately for treatment, as abscesses can be serious.

      Your veterinarian may open the wound to drain it, or place small drains inside the wound to help it heal. Change the dressings frequently to allow fresh absorbency of fluids, and treat with antibiotic cream, or oral medications, as recommended by your veterinarian.