Cats, just like people, have a fairly high risk of injury every day. Nevertheless, these animals sometimes become injured, and the wounds begin to fester. In this article you can learn how to avoid wounds from festering , as well as how to treat purulent wounds in cats . In order not to get confused or panic, we recommend collecting as much information as possible on this disease.
Drugs
Today, in the pharmacy chain you can purchase a large number of medications that disinfect the wound. Accordingly, the choice of medication directly depends on the wound surface, its size, depth and the possibility of further infection. Treatment measures, prevention of secondary infection and eradication of surface healing depend on these factors.
Hydrogen peroxide
Treatment with this drug is possible no later than 2 hours from the moment of injury. Do not pour the bottle directly onto the wound. It is better to moisten the swab with the solution and treat the surface. If possible, apply a sterile dressing. But remember that during treatment you must hold your pet tightly.
Levomekol ointment
Used to accelerate wound healing and to prevent infection. The main active component accelerates metabolic processes in tissues and promotes the removal of purulent contents. To treat and prevent further infection, apply a bandage to the surface of the wound.
Baneocin ointment
It is excellent for treating infected wounds. The drug is not addictive and can be used up to 2-3 times a day. After treatment, it is recommended to cover the wound with a sterile cloth.
Iodine solution
Important! Do not apply the product directly to the wound surface. Dissolved iodine can be used to treat the edges of the wound without touching the wound itself. But, if there is a weeping wound, iodine will dry the surface, thereby protecting the animal from further infection.
Brilliant solution
Treating the wound with brilliant green should be done very carefully to avoid burns. It is not recommended to treat a weeping or bleeding wound with brilliant green. At its core, brilliant green solution is a powerful external antiseptic. Penetrating into the wound surface, it destroys pathogenic microorganisms and prevents the proliferation of bacteria.
Therefore, it is better to apply an aseptic dressing treated in a solution of brilliant green to the wound surface.
Furacilin solution
Furacilin still occupies a leading position for wound treatment. As a rule, to prepare a solution, 20 mg tablets are prescribed, which must be dissolved in 100 ml of water. The prepared solution should be stored in the refrigerator. The wound surface is treated with the product 2-3 times a day.
Rinse should be done away from the wound if it is fresh, and towards the wound if it has an inflammatory process.
What to do if your head wound is festering
If a cat has a festering wound on its head, all manipulations to eliminate suppuration should be carried out very carefully. First you need to free the surface near the wound from hair and dried pus. The wool is cut and the crusts are soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Under no circumstances should they be scraped off or the pus squeezed out. And do not put your hands into the wound, so as not to aggravate your pet’s condition. If foreign objects are found in the wound, carefully remove them with tweezers. There is no need to touch the remaining skin around the edges of the wound; take the cat to the vet as is. And if he deems it necessary, he will delete them himself.
How to care for a cat during the recovery period?
Watch the cat. If the wound was small and the animal immediately received adequate help, there should be no lethargy, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea or other “strange” signs. In the event that you observe something similar to your slightly injured pet, immediately call a veterinarian. These clinical signs clearly indicate a sharp deterioration of the pathological process.
Important! Discourage your cat from constantly trying to scratch the wound, tighten the post-operative bandage, or remove the drainage from the wound channel. Let us note, by the way, that for any wound, cats need a surgical (aka Elizabethan) collar, since otherwise they will definitely lick the damaged tissue.
If your pet is completely restless, it is recommended to use “aggressive” models that give a slight electric shock when trying to get rid of the collar. T-shirts and rompers for babies can be used as a “budget option”: if the animal is pulled into them, it will no longer be able to reach the wound (well, at least it will get very tired). Of course, the “clothes” need to be changed more often.
If you see that the edge of the drainage has appeared from the canal , be sure to inform the treating veterinarian about this. It is believed that the ideal time to replace drainage is every 12 hours. But in reality, it is rare that an owner can take a pet to the veterinarian with such frequency. There are two ways out: either do the replacement yourself, or extend the period to 17-20 hours. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this. If the wound looks clean, dry and closed, you can leave the drainage system without any fear: nothing bad will happen. Just make sure your cat can't lick the wound.
When to go to the veterinary clinic
You should contact your veterinarian if you have the following signs:
- prolonged bleeding from the wound;
- damage where meat and torn pieces of skin are visible;
- increased body temperature in the pet, lethargy, lack of appetite;
- the appearance of vomiting and diarrhea;
- wounds with a large area;
- gunshot wounds;
- the appearance of swelling and redness in the affected area;
- pus or abscess;
- in case the pet is bitten by a tick;
- if your pet has been bitten by a snake and there is poison in the wound.
Important! If, as a result of home treatment, the wound does not improve within a few days, you should consult a doctor.
Processing rules
As a rule, a cat receives a wound on the street while defending its territory or during the period of sexual heat. The resulting wounds can be of a different nature.
Weeping wound
Weeping wounds are treated dry, provided that the pet does not remove the bandage. If there is purulent exudate, you can apply a gauze pad soaked in a hypertonic solution of table salt or Vishnevsky ointment to the wound. But such treatment will be successful only if tissue regeneration is going well.
If there is no improvement, then surgery should be resorted to to resect the necrosis.
Deep
If the wound surface is deep enough, then treat it with a solution of Chlorhexidine or Miramistin, carefully inserting the nozzle of the bottle into the wound. Next, you need to inject Levomekol ointment into the cavity using a syringe without a needle. Procedures must be performed 2-3 times a day until complete healing. You should also put on a special collar for your pet so that he does not further injure the wound surface by licking it.
In any case, try to get an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible to adjust the treatment.
Open
The first step is to treat the surface with hydrogen peroxide. If the wound surface is large and without purulent discharge, then you can treat it with Novocaine solution for pain relief, just by pouring a little on it. Then you can sprinkle streptocide powder on it, it disinfects the surface and promotes speedy healing.
Bleeding
The first step is to stop the bleeding. To do this, clamp the surface with your hands or bandage it tightly. You can also apply a tourniquet above the injury and attach a note indicating the time of application. The tourniquet should not be on the wound for more than 2 hours. For shallow wounds, treat with hydrogen peroxide.
Important! Do not use disinfectants as they can cause severe irritation and slow down healing.
After emergency measures are taken, the animal should be taken to the clinic for treatment.
With purulent discharge
Hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine are suitable for disinfection. To prevent the spread of infection, you can give an injection of an antibiotic, for example, Sinusol 50 mg. The full course of treatment is 7 days.
If there is pain, heat, swelling or hyperemia in the wound area, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. This may indicate the development of an abscess, which requires professional treatment.
Superficial
Initially, you should wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide. Then treat with Baneocin or Neosporin. It is recommended to apply ointments up to 3 times a day. If possible, try not to cover the wound surface with a bandage. With air access it will heal faster.
Burn
Treatment of burns depends directly on their severity. Initially, you need to apply a cold compress to the damaged surface for 20 minutes. Then treat it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or anti-burn ointment. Then apply a sterile gauze bandage to the surface.
After this, it is necessary to show the animal to a doctor to prescribe effective treatment.
If meat is visible
Initially, you should treat it with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Afterwards, you can apply brilliant green around the wound surface, and sprinkle the wound itself with Baneocin or treat it with Sanotol spray. After this, apply a sterile gauze pad and immediately contact a veterinarian.
The diet of a cat with purulent wounds also affects the treatment of purulent wounds in cats
A cat with festering wounds is very sensitive
. All smoked meats, sausages, sweets that should not be given to even healthy cats, and fatty meats should be removed from the diet. A festering wound will heal faster if you eat healthy, natural foods, for example, vegetables, boiled chicken, and fish. Remember healthy, dietary food in hospitals and sanatoriums. You will never find sausage or unhealthy smoked brisket there. During the period of active recovery, it is very advisable to give your pet synthetic vitamins that will help maintain the health of the furry.
What is a weeping wound, the reasons for its occurrence
This is a wound whose surface is not contracted by granulations and does not heal. It literally oozes ichor or necrotic exudate. The color and smell of the exudate resembles rotting meat slop. It is necessary to distinguish a weeping wound from an ulcer: in the first case, a skin defect occurs as a result of mechanical action, in the second it is only a consequence of some severe metabolic disorders or hormonal metabolism in the body (a good example is ulcers due to diabetes or uremia).
How to speed up wound healing
To speed up the healing of the wound surface, you should strictly follow the veterinarian’s recommendations. You can also use special long-acting wound-healing wipes for cats, for example, Antivtex. The use of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor will also promote rapid regeneration of the surface.
In addition, it is necessary to provide the animal with complete rest and prevent licking the surface. To do this, you need to use special collars and tightly secured gauze bandages that the pet cannot remove on its own.
Possible complications
Through the scratches of a domestic cat, a person can become infected with many rather unpleasant infections. One of them is felinosis or cat scratch disease. This type of pathological process is characterized by acute bacterial damage to the body.
A cat's claws, located at a special angle, easily penetrate the skin, injuring several layers of the dermis at once. Pathogenic microorganisms located on the paws and claws of an animal penetrate the human body. Animal saliva contaminated with foreign bacteria can also provoke the development of felinosis in humans.
The infection caused by Bartonella adapts perfectly in the animal’s body, circulating in urine, bloodstream and saliva. Naturally, bartonellosis is also found on cat paws.
In the first stages of felinosis development, a person experiences an inflammatory process in the tissues of the lymph nodes. In cats, bartonellosis is transmitted through the bites of blood-sucking parasites. After damage to the tissues of the lymph nodes, edema develops, body temperature increases, signs of poisoning and even an allergic reaction arise.
Felinosis poses the greatest danger to young children and adults with weakened body defenses (especially after suffering from a dangerous disease). It is important to note that BCC is not transmitted from person to person.
There are several forms of felinosis - typical and atypical. The first type of disease is characterized by moderate development. At the site of the injury (healed), a small blister begins to form, which bursts and forms a small ulcer covered with a crust. A person’s well-being does not change much.
Treatment with antibiotics
Antibacterial drugs are used to prevent secondary infection. As a rule, the remedy is selected by a veterinarian depending on the wound surface. The doctor will also prescribe the exact dosage. The most commonly prescribed drugs are tetracyclines, Ampicillin, Streptomycin. For infection of the wound surface, Amoxicillin, Clindamycin or Benzylpenicillin are recommended.
To summarize, we can say that only a veterinarian can determine how to treat a cat’s wound for effective treatment. After all, the healing process directly depends on correctly selected drugs. In any case, after providing emergency care to your pet, it must be shown to a specialist. Only a veterinarian can prescribe medications that will speed up the healing process and prevent secondary infections from occurring.
How to treat a wound, instructions from a veterinarian
First aid
After discovering a wound on your pet, give him first aid. Examine the cat and assess its condition; if it does not cause concern, then you can provide first aid yourself.
First aid:
- remove hair near the wound;
- wash the wound with antiseptic drugs - furatsilin solution, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine;
- try to stop the bleeding;
- the skin around the wound can be treated with brilliant green.
After providing first aid, take the animal to a veterinarian. The doctor will select the optimal treatment regimen and show you how to properly carry out the treatments.
Why are scratches from a cat dangerous?
Scratches from cats and bites from these domestic pranksters are much more infected than bites from domestic dogs. In the overwhelming majority, infectious agents located on the paws and claws of cats are not isolated. Polymicrobial flora contains streptococcal infection, staphylococcal bacilli, pasteurella and some others. It is worth noting that bacterial pathogenic microorganisms are present on the paws and claws of all cats, without exception, even the most domestic and well-groomed ones.
In addition to the bacteria described above, after a scratch a person may develop the so-called felinosis, or cat scratch fever. The marks left by a cat on the owner's body are not harmless. Cat scratch disease can cause quite serious allergic reactions in humans and provoke dangerous complications in the organs of the human body.
The spread of pathogenic bacterial pyogenic microflora is due to the fact that the claws of domestic and wild cats have a curved shape. With the help of its weapon, the cat breaks the surface layer of the dermis. As a result of the penetration of pathogenic microflora that provokes BCC, first of all, the size of the lymph nodes changes. Wounds caused by a cat take a long time to heal, as they are not even.
Cat scratches have jagged edges, which delays the regeneration and recovery process. Deep torn scratches transform into a closed type of damage. It accumulates dirt and pathogens. Before treating a wound surface formed by a cat’s claws, it is necessary to thoroughly treat it to remove all kinds of dirt and infection, which will allow the body to easily regenerate the damaged area with new tissue.
Do I need to treat or will it heal on its own?
The opinion that everything heals quickly on cats because they lick their wounds is wrong. Even small injuries can develop into serious wounds if not treated promptly. Damage often occurs due to the action of dirty objects, which can cause infection.
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If a cat has a fight with another pet and there are wounds from the teeth, they quickly become crusty. Upon examination, it appears that the surface is healing and the damage is not dangerous. However, when bitten, the teeth penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, which is dangerous for infection. The top layer may heal within a few days, but the microbes that get inside begin to multiply.
Important! The infection quickly spreads throughout the body, and the wounds fill with pus. If left untreated, necrosis and blood poisoning may develop.
Why you shouldn't ignore cat scratches
The causative agent of lymphoreticulosis, or non-bacterial lymphadenitis, lives in the body of many cats. At the same time, the animal itself is not sick and looks cheerful and healthy. The infection is transmitted to humans through scratches and bites. If, despite all the measures you have taken, the scratches begin to become inflamed, reddened or rotted, consult an infectious disease specialist.
Based on the results of the examination, you will be prescribed treatment. Most often, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for internal and external use. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and ranges from 7 to 14 days.
Do you want to avoid such consequences from communicating with your beloved Murka? Get your cat vaccinated on time. It is worth noting that even a vaccinated animal can become infected again if it goes outside unhindered. Therefore, you should not let your guard down. After all, even their beloved owner can be scratched.
Felinoz and cats
There is a disease called felinosis, which is also called cat scratch disease. Felinosis develops under the influence of bacteria that are introduced under the skin from an infected cat. If a cat is sick, then by licking, biting or scratching it can make a person infected, and after this quite unpleasant effects begin to develop.
- The initial stage is contact with the cat.
- Next, swelling and a small ulcer appear.
- After at least one week, a slight fever and inflammation of the lymph nodes begins.
- The lymph nodes become painful, they swell a little, and may have suppuration.
- A rash, tonsillitis and other inflammations develop.
- Some special diseases, such as Parinaud's conjunctivitis, are possible.
- Leukocytosis, lymphocytosis.
- Biopathology.
In general, scratches from a cat themselves are quite specific; they break through layers of epithelium in a row and are quite deep. If such a scratch begins to heal, a closed wound is formed, that is, pus and bacteria accumulate in the cavity. Therefore, such wounds need to be washed and further treated so that the scratch heals without the need for the body to process pus and bacteria.
Symptoms of felinosis
From the beginning of contact with the cat, felinosis does not manifest itself in any way. A small spot forms at the site of the scratch, which later develops into a papule and a small ulcer. The wound heals very slowly and constantly festeres. Its surface remains moist despite the use of healing agents.
Swelling or swelling occurs at the site of the scratch. The following symptoms occur occasionally :
- allergic reaction;
- toxicosis;
- painful sensations in the bones and body;
- fatigue;
- insomnia.
After three weeks, a person develops a fever, which is the first sign of damage to the body. Lymph nodes in the armpits and elbows become enlarged, and upon palpation they cause discomfort and even pain. Possible suppuration, tonsillitis and a red rash.
Causes
Among the gaping wounds are the following:
- Chipped.
- Cut.
- Bitten.
- Torn.
- Firearms.
- The result of the action of toxic substances is a mixture.
Stab and cut injuries are characterized by smooth edges and severe bleeding. Lacerations and bitten wounds are characterized by a large area of damage and minor hemorrhage. Cats get them during a fight. Injuries from pneumatic weapons inflicted by animal torturers cannot be ruled out. Caustic substances cause skin burns. The defects become infected and mixed forms are formed.
With closed injuries, swelling and discoloration of the injured area are observed, and internal bleeding cannot be ruled out.
The wound has festered
Diagnostics
Large wounds are fairly easy to diagnose on your own. They heal well with regular antiseptic treatment, the amount of purulent contents decreases, and the animal behaves calmly.
Only a veterinarian can diagnose a fistula or abscess. You should show the cat to a specialist as soon as possible, since a fistula can lead to the development of dangerous complications. For an accurate diagnosis, X-rays or MRIs with contrast are done.
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How to treat if the wound does not heal on the paw
It happens that a cat has injured its paw and quite some time has passed, but the wound still does not heal. In this case, it is imperative to treat it with medications so as not to lead to severe infection. Sometimes a similar situation occurs when suppuration begins. Treatment will be required for disinfection three times a day and only then wound healing.
It is very important not to allow the cat to lick the wound, because he may thereby lead himself to repeated suppuration. To do this, cover the wound with a sterile bandage and seal it with a plaster. And you should definitely take your pet to the vet. In especially severe cases, it is impossible to do without laser irradiation of the wound, injections of antibiotics, special vitamins and food to promote its speedy healing. The main thing is to understand the seriousness of the cat’s injury and treat it responsibly.
What to do?
If the wound is deep, immediately run to the vet! Scratches can also be treated at home.
It should be remembered that the skin on a cat’s neck is very mobile, prone to folding. This provokes the formation of abscesses, but they do not heal without drainage. In case of minor injuries, in order to avoid suppuration, treatment must be carried out regularly. In case of large ones, drainage installation, if necessary, is carried out by clinic specialists.
A wound on the cat's neck may appear as a result of scabies (subcutaneous sarcoptic mite). In this situation, you must first cure the cat of this parasite, and only then deal with its wounds on the neck.
Minor scratches do not require human intervention. Cat saliva contains lysozyme, which prevents the development of opportunistic microbes. If the cat received a minor injury during a fight, it is calmed down, caressed, the hair at the site of the injury is trimmed, and the defect is treated with an antiseptic.
If the paws are injured, apply a bandage to protect against infection, so that it does not put pressure on the sore spot, so that the cat cannot rip it off. Until the wound heals, the animal should not be allowed outside. If the defect is located on the face or ears and the cat scratches it, put on an Elizabethan collar.
The fight against the consequences of lacerations involves preliminary suturing by a qualified veterinarian. Otherwise, healing will take a long time, and an ugly scar will remain at the site of the defect, on which hair will not grow. If the wound has festered, the cat is taken to the clinic, and further treatment is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.
A recovering pet needs to be provided with adequate nutrition, as well as strengthen the body’s defenses using immunocorrectors - Gamavit, etc.
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There may be injuries after a fight
Types of wounds
The classification of injuries in cats is varied and depends on the following factors:
1.According to the method of production, wounds in cats are:
- combed (usually independently);
- bitten (by a relative, other animal, insect, snake);
- torn (when the edges are uneven);
- cut (injury with a sharp object);
- firearms (obtained when shooting at cats);
- postoperative (with licking of seams and divergence of edges).
2.The depth of a cat’s wound can be:
- superficial (the upper layer of the epidermis is damaged with slight bleeding);
- deep (when the wound penetrated and affected the muscle layers and tissues).
3.By openness:
- open (damage to the integrity of the skin is visible on the surface of the body and can be assessed with the naked eye);
- closed (internal organ injuries with parenchymal bleeding due to falls from a height or blows with a blunt object).
Open wound in a cat
4. According to the complexity of the healing process, wounds can be divided into:
- not contaminated with bacteria and healing by scarring;
- purulent (when the wound is caused by teeth, claws, or the surface of the abrasion is contaminated with bacteria, suppuration begins, and an unpleasant odor occurs).
Any violation of the integrity of the epidermis in cats causes bleeding, which also depends on the depth and method of injury. When providing first aid to an animal, you must first differentiate the type of bleeding and stop it, and then begin antiseptic treatment of the wound.
Bleeding from wounds in cats can be:
- capillary (small blood loss occurs with superficial wounds, quickly stops with tamponade);
- venous (dark-colored blood flows intensely and for a long time, occurs with deep or internal wounds, to stop it is necessary to apply a pressure bandage or tourniquet);
- arterial (the most dangerous type of bleeding, since the blood spurts out and flows out very quickly, occurs with gunshot wounds, accidents, open fractures, deep wounds of the neck, a tourniquet or squeezing the edges of the vessel is needed to stop).
According to veterinary statistics, cat owners most often encounter two types of wounds:
- received by cats during fights with each other during the determination of dominance in the territory (as a result of deep bites with fangs and scratches with dirty claws, cats develop purulent wounds, the treatment of which is longer and requires the intervention of a veterinarian);
- deep bites and lacerations received during a fight between dogs and cats (it is these injuries that can make an animal disabled, lead to the loss of a limb or tail, or threaten the life of a kitten).
If the animal’s injury is not deep and fresh, then the first thing the owner needs to do is carry out antiseptic treatment. In other cases, you need to stop the bleeding and immediately go to the doctor's clinic.
