There are two distinct types of wounds that may affect a cat's legs: superficial wounds and deep wounds. No matter how minor the wound, it is advisable to seek veterinary assistance in the care and treatment of a wound. Complications can arise, depending on the manner of wound as well as the possibility of infection. Until you can seek adequate medical care for your feline, there are some home care steps that can help until such point that medical care is available.
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Types of Wounds
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Superficial wounds are wounds that do not reach all the way through the skin. These wounds are often shallow and mildly painful. One common example of superficial wounds is scratches. The management of superficial wounds can, for the most part, be handled at home. Debride, or remove foreign material from, the wound, and rinse the area with a sterile saline solution. Application of an antibiotic cream until the wound is healed is recommended.
Deep wounds cut entirely through the skin. These wounds often require stitches and are, depending on the cause, prone to infection. An example of a deep wound is one that exposes muscle or bone. Clean the area and hold a clean, dry cloth over the area with applied pressure to staunch the bleeding until you are able to take your cat to a veterinary medical facility. If the wound occurs outside of your veterinarian's normal business hours and the bleeding cannot be stopped, it is advisable to take your cat to an emergency veterinary medical facility.
Within these two categories of wounds, there are several other varieties, including puncture wounds, burns, and abscesses. In the case of punctures, burns, or abscesses, do not attempt any form of home treatment or aid.
What to Watch For
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If any wound you have administered first aid for starts showing signs of infection, call your veterinarian. While a small amount of inflammation or swelling is expected, an increase in redness and swelling are the first indicators of an infection. Red streaks emanating from the area, foul smelling discharge and discolored pus are all signs of an infection.
If the wound you are attempting to treat is a deep wound, signs of shock may occur. Signs of shock in felines include a quick, but weakened pulse, difficulty standing or moving around, disorientation, and hypothermia. A slow capillary refill time may also be present. This is indicated by the state of the gums. If it takes longer than a second for the gums of a cat's mouth to return to a normal pinkish color, the capillary refill time is said to be slow. In addition, pale skin and mucous membranes and dark red or gray gums are also common signs of shock. If shock is recognized, emergency medical treatment is necessary.
Caring For Wounds
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Keep the area clean, dry and free of debris and foreign matter. Superficial wounds often do no need to be bandaged, as the bandages may hinder the healing process. Deep wounds are bandaged at the discretion of medical personnel. Deep wounds that are bandaged should be changed daily, inspected for signs of infection, and re-bandaged with clean materials, unless the veterinarian's post-care directions indicate otherwise.
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