Injuries
Trauma, accidents and injuries in cats - you're probably familiar with the situation in which your cat comes back from a walk injured or limping. What should you do? As cats are often out and about unsupervised, it is usually only possible to make assumptions about the cause. At best, the injury is harmless, such as a torn claw or a foreign body between the paw pads. However, there are many possible causes, from small stones to ticks.
If the limping doesn't last long and improves after resting, the problem is usually rather harmless. However, if your cat limps badly and/or shows signs of pain, this may indicate a more serious injury to muscles, ligaments, joints or even bones, for example due to an accident. Sometimes all it takes is a jump into unfamiliar terrain or a fall.
Even if not all lameness is serious, it should not be underestimated. Early treatment can help to prevent consequential damage and permanent movement restrictions in your pet.
Important!
You should always have emergency numbers for the veterinary practice or veterinary clinic on hand. Also have a list with the most important information about your cat (e.g. previous illnesses, long-term medication, laboratory results or intolerances).
DEFINITION
What is trauma?
Trauma is defined as any injury or damage to healthy tissue caused by external force.
If your cat has suffered a cut, bite or graze, this is referred to as open trauma because the skin is damaged. In blunt trauma, on the other hand, the structures under the skin (e.g. muscles, tendons, joints or internal organs) are injured. Blunt trauma often occurs in the form of bruises, strains or sprains, for example after injuries sustained during play or as a result of knocks or falls.
SYMPTOMS
How can I recognize trauma?
You can usually recognize trauma in your cat by the fact that it moves differently than normal. It will try to relieve the painful area by walking, and often licks the area. It may sleep or rest more and no longer jump onto favorite spots. Other symptoms may also occur. The classic signs of inflammation often appear:
- Warmth
- Redness
- Pain
- Swelling
- Restriction of movement
Important to know: Shortly after blunt trauma occurs, there is often nothing visible on the outside. Sometimes you can feel swelling on the affected leg. However, signs of inflammation may not appear until hours later.
Good to know
Not all cats show clear signs of pain. Some may withdraw, suddenly refuse to be touched or show atypical or aggressive behavior when trying to make contact. A sudden change in behavior can therefore also indicate an injury or pain and should be reported to the vet.
CAUSES
How does a cat get...
A bruise or contusion is usually caused by a fall or strong impact. The external force causes blunt tissue damage. Depending on the part of the body affected, this can involve the muscles, ligaments, joint capsule or periosteum. As a result of the injury, there is swelling and the formation of a bruise (hematoma).
Sprains or strains are caused by a violent overstretching of the joint beyond the normal range of motion. This is caused by a twisting of the leg. However, the joint surfaces that are displaced against each other immediately return to their original position. The overstretching of the ligaments and/or joint capsules is very painful and is often accompanied by bruising and swelling.
A dislocation of the joints occurs when the joint surfaces are displaced against each other to such an extent that the joint capsule and ligaments are damaged - they tear. As a result, the ends of the joint do not return to their normal position, but remain displaced. A dislocated joint causes severe pain and can be recognized by pronounced swelling of the affected area, haematomas and an unnatural joint position.
DIAGNOSIS
Examination and diagnosis
Lameness and limping as well as a change in behavior are always an important message from your cat to take a closer look. Even if trauma appears harmless at first, a veterinary examination is advisable. This is because if the healing process does not go smoothly, even minor injuries can lead to chronic problems or even result in a permanent restriction of mobility.
To make a quick and reliable diagnosis, your vet will first ask you the following questions:
- How is your cat's general condition (e.g. is it alert, eating and drinking normally)?
- Does it show any noticeable changes in behavior?
- How long has the lameness or other symptoms been present?
- Did the symptoms appear suddenly or did they develop gradually?
- Was there an event (e.g. a fall or accident) that could be linked to the symptoms?
- Does your cat have any other illnesses?
Your cat will then be thoroughly examined and the affected areas palpated to find clues as to the possible cause. Does it react with defensive reactions to specific manipulations such as pressure or certain movements? Or are there other tangible or visible changes? In many cases, a diagnosis can then be made. Imaging procedures such as X-rays or ultrasound as well as blood tests can also help to determine the extent and consequences of the injury.
TREATMENT
How can I help my cat?
How your pet's injury needs to be treated depends on the type and severity of the trauma. You can do a lot yourself for acute injuries.
But be careful: even a gentle can react unpredictably when in severe pain and may hiss, bite or scratch. Therefore, you should always calm the animal before and during first aid, approach it slowly and in a controlled manner, and avoid hasty movements. This will help to avoid a stress reaction from your cat. Only touch the injured area if you are sure that your cat will allow you to do so:
The most important thing is that your cat stops putting weight on the injured leg. Some cats do not show their pain. However, walking on the affected leg could lead to further injuries or aggravate existing injuries. A bandage often helps to immobilize the leg. It is advisable not to let your cat outside for the time being and to make sure that it does not jump onto higher furniture.
If the animal allows it, carefully examine the affected leg for features that are different from the other limbs. Move the leg gently to see if there is any swelling or redness, or if there is bleeding. Also check the paw (between the toes, pads and claws) carefully for signs of bites, wounds, swelling or foreign objects (small stones, wood splinters, ticks or broken glass).
You should stop heavy bleeding immediately with a pressure bandage and go to the nearest veterinary practice/clinic. You can clean superficial and smaller wounds first if necessary by removing coarse dirt and rinsing the wound. Sterile saline solution or lukewarm tap water is suitable for this. Then let the rinsing solution dry. To avoid infection, ensure that your pet does not lick the injured skin.
If there is no open wound, you can cool the injured area with a wet cloth or cooling pad. Caution: Always wrap the cooling pad in a kitchen towel beforehand so that the skin is not overcooled or damaged.
In the event of bleeding wounds, severe swelling, sudden severe lameness or complete immobility of your pet, you should visit the vet quickly and without fail. Basically, if you feel unsure, it's better to go one time too many than one time too few!
Regardless of the injury your four-legged friend is suffering from: Every injury triggers a complex but also healing-promoting inflammatory process in the body. Inflammation is a good sign: it means that your cat's immune system is active and is ensuring that damaged tissue is repaired.
However, this can sometimes lead to an excessive inflammatory reaction, which delays the healing of the injury. The consequences: persistent pain, swelling and restricted movement. The body then needs support from appropriate medication. Dislocated joints can be reset by the vet under anesthetic and then immobilized to protect them. If your pet has suffered serious trauma such as a broken bone or torn ligaments, surgical measures are usually necessary.
Heel Vet
If you want to support your cat, consider the natural medicines from Heel Vet.
PREVENTION
How can I prevent injuries?
If you have a house cat that lives with you in your home, the best prevention is to reduce sources of danger. Your home should be as cat-proof as possible. Windows, electrical appliances, houseplants and plastic bags can all pose a threat to your pet.
What you can do to reduce the risk of injury:
- Secure balconies and windows with special cat protection (e.g. grids or nets)
- Secure tilting windows (there is a risk of entrapment if the window is tilted)
- Secure rooms (e.g. secure shelves and cupboards to the wall, do not place fragile objects on surfaces that the cat can jump on)
- Avoid dangerous objects that the cat could climb onto or fall from
- Use door stops to prevent sudden slamming
- Always keep cables, plastic bags, cleaning products, medication, etc. out of your cat's reach
Also make sure that your cat has enough space to exercise and play, but also places to retreat to and relax.
