Cats will occasionally get injured. Cats may fight and get scratched by other animals, or just scratched from exploring the environment around the house. If your cat comes home with a stab, cut, scrape, or more serious wound, it's a good idea to clean the wound right away to reduce the risk of infection and abscess formation.
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Part 1 of 4: Choosing a Cleaning Solution
Step 1. Obtain a sterile saline solution
Sterile saline solutions, such as those in a first aid kit, are ideal for washing contaminated wounds. Bacteria and debris in the wound can be cleaned with water, but saline solution has a pH similar to that of body tissues, thereby reducing tissue damage.
The trick with using a saline solution is to apply a generous amount of it and wash the wound area until it looks clean
Step 2. Boil water and use it after it cools down
For very dirty wounds with a lot of mud or gravel, it's a good idea to boil the water and let it cool. Use this water to clean the wound completely.
There is a slight risk in using water that it will damage exposed tissue because it does not have the same composition as body fluids and draws fluids out of the damaged tissue. However, research shows that the impact of using tap water to irrigate wounds is not too great for the formation of infection
Step 3. Make a brine solution
Salt water is a natural disinfectant and is great for cleaning cat wounds. Make a solution by boiling water in a pitcher, measuring out a glass of water, and mixing it with half a teaspoon of salt. Stir until dissolved and wait for the water to cool.
This salt water will have the same composition as tears and body fluids so it is less damaging to open tissue than commercial disinfectants or plain water
Part 2 of 4: Choosing a Disinfectant
Step 1. Get a commercial pet-safe disinfectant
There are a variety of disinfectants sold to treat pet wounds. The most common types are povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine. Consult with your veterinarian to find out which breed is best for your pet.
- Remember, not all disinfectants are safe for cats. Disinfectants containing phenol are toxic to cats. Read the label on the package to make sure the product does not contain phenol. You can also test it by seeing if the water turns cloudy after applying the disinfectant. If in doubt, it's best to stay away from this method and use another alternative.
- To dilute povidone-iodine, mix 1 ml of povidone-iodine with 100 ml of water. Use the solution to remove contamination from the wound surface.
- To obtain a chlorhexidine solution of the right strength for cleaning wounds, mix 2.5 ml of chlorhexidine with 100 ml of water. Chlorhexidine is the active ingredient in many surgical antimicrobial agents, eg Hibiscrub. This is a soap solution that must be diluted with water. Chlorhexidine has great antibacterial properties and also has little residual action, which means it will continue to work to kill bacteria for a while even after it dries.
Step 2. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide
Another popular wound cleansing agent is hydrogen peroxide. However, this fluid has the potential to be very damaging to body tissues if not diluted. The 'myth' is that the foam that appears when a substance touches a wound will kill bacteria, but it also damages tissue that would otherwise be healthy to speed up wound healing.
The diluted dose of hydrogen peroxide is 1/4 of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water (eg, 25 ml of peroxide with 75 ml of water) to make a disinfectant solution suitable for cleaning wounds
Step 3. Use the safest option available
The type of disinfectant used depends on personal taste and product availability. Always follow the directions for use on the packaging when diluting the product because the tissue can be damaged if the concentration is too strong. Be aware that many household disinfectants and some disinfectant sprays contain benzalkonium chloride and are not designed for use on living tissue.
If you have any doubts about the compatibility of the product with cats, we recommend using a solution or salt water as they are safer
Part 3 of 4: Disinfecting Wounds
Step 1. Ask someone else to hold the cat
The cat may feel sick or shaken after the injury and struggle when you touch the injured area, even if the cat is usually very docile. Therefore, try asking a friend or family member to hold the cat so you can concentrate on treating the wound.
Try to wrap the cat in a large towel and only leave the wound open. This is a great way to soothe and minimize the risk of bites and scratches
Step 2. Rinse the wound with a syringe
Take the solution of your choice and pour it into a bowl. Use a syringe to suck up the solution, then spray on the wound to rinse and clean it. Repeat the spray until the wound is completely clean.
- Fresh bite wounds should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of infection.
- Wounds suffered by cats from being hit by a car or falling from a tree can be contaminated with sand, gravel, and bacteria. Thorough cleaning will help reduce the risk of complications, such as delayed wound healing or infection.
Step 3. Use a cotton swab soaked in cleaning solution if you don't have a syringe
You can use a cotton swab instead of a syringe to apply the cleaning solution to the wound. If the wound is heavily contaminated and the debris is difficult to clean, use a downward motion with a cotton swab to clean the area.
- Use a clean cotton swab for each downward stroke so that the dirty parts don't come back into contact with the wound. Continue to clean until the cotton swab is not dirty after wiping, and finish by rinsing the wound.
- If your cat's abscess bursts, the wound may be draining a fair amount of pus. Use a cotton swab, gauze, or soft tissue to wipe the pus. Gently press the area around the abscess in the direction of the bite where the pus is draining. You have to get rid of as much pus as possible because it will be a source of infection.
Step 4. Apply the disinfectant
After cleaning the contamination, you can begin to apply the disinfectant. Follow the instructions on the package to apply the disinfectant the right way.
Your goal is to clean any open tissue infections clean without contamination, then apply a disinfectant
Step 5. Determine if you need to bandage the wound
Most wounds should be left open so that minor and minor cuts are not bandaged. However, if your cat tries to lick or chew on the wound, it means that the wound needs to be bandaged to prevent the wound from healing.
There is a myth that licking sores is actually healthy for cats. However, the reality is that the abrasive surface of the tongue will damage the tissue and slow healing
Part 4 of 4: Identifying Wounds
Step 1. Watch for signs of cat injury
As a cat's owner, you need to be aware of its normal behavior. This will help you assess the cat's abnormalities. Look for behavioral changes, including changes in diet, movement type, and social interests.
- These behavioral changes can be a symptom of a variety of illnesses, including physical trauma.
- If your cat's personality or behavior changes drastically, and you don't know why, take her to the vet immediately. These changes can be a symptom of a medical disorder.
Step 2. Look for wounds if you see or hear a fight
If you see your cat fighting, or coming home with a limp, look for signs of trauma. Pay attention to tufts of hair sticking together, or areas of fur that appear to be tangled or sticking out at odd angles. Gently examine the cat's body by brushing its fur and looking at the skin underneath.
Otherwise, look for areas that appear bald, where the assailant plucks his fur. This area may have sores, or spots of blood, or areas that are swollen. These traits are easier to find in white or pale-haired cats. For black cats, gently rub the cat's body and watch for a sensitivity reaction to pain, or if you feel any sores, swelling, or scabs
Step 3. Check the cat regularly for injuries
You may not notice a cat fighting or find the symptoms in the cat's fur. Therefore, it's a good idea to check your cat regularly for any injuries you might have missed. This is important if your cat likes to roam outdoors and tends to fight a lot.
- This method is ideal when the cat is curled up and wants to be petted. Keep the cat calm and run your hand along the cat's body while searching for the skin under the fur.
- Old wounds may become infected, resulting in swelling, scabs, baldness, or bloody or pus discharge.
- Old abscesses that rupture often contain a lot of pus that adheres to the hair.
- Also, the skin in the abscess dies and leaves a hole large enough that you can see exposed tissue or muscle in it.
