How to Make a Homemade Splint for a Cat's Leg

Your cat has injured his leg and he is howling in pain. Perhaps you are far from home traveling with your cat, or your veterinarian's office is closed and you cannot drive to a distant emergency animal hospital. Your cat needs immediate medical aid and the only help in this emergency situation is you. By stabilizing the injured leg with a homemade splint, you can ease your cat's distress until you can get him to your veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Board
  • Blankets or towels
  • Rope
  • Non-stick, sterile gauze pads
  • Roll cotton
  • Adhesive tape
  • Stretch gauze
  • Elastic bandage
  • Flat sticks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a firm surface such as a board or a bench. Cushion the surface with blankets or towels. Lay your cat on the board and secure him with something flexible such as rope, long scarves or a belt. If your cat is aggressive, you may need to muzzle him.

    • 2

      Gently cover any wounds with a non-stick, sterile gauze pad with its own adhesive to secure the pad to the leg. Wrap numerous layers of roll cotton around the leg. Include the joints above and below---front elbow to wrist or back kneecap to heel---if you are stabilizing a fracture. Affix the cotton with adhesive tape.

    • 3

      Wind several layers of stretch gauze around the roll cotton. Make sure the gauze wrap is snug, but not so tight that the leg circulation is impaired. Secure it with adhesive tape. If you notice that your cat's foot is swollen or cold, loosen or remove the bandage.

    • 4

      Position a flat stick on opposite sides of the leg---include the joint above and below---and fasten the sticks with adhesive tape wrapped firmly around the bandage.

    • 5

      Put an elastic bandage around the entire dressing. Fix the bandage in place by applying adhesive tape. Include your cat's fur in the taping; this stops the bandage from slipping off.

    • 6

      Remove your cat from the restraints. Place him, along with the blankets or towels, in a quiet, warm, safe spot. Make sure he does not try to walk, run or jump.