How To Treat Dog Bite On Cat?

How To Treat Dog Bite On Cat
How to Treat a Cat That has Suffered an Animal Bite It’s always best to take the cat to a vet but if you can’t, do you know how to best care for their bite wounds? Elizabeth Livermore / Getty Images When cats interact with other animals, sometimes they are bitten. If your cat suffers an animal bite, you should tend to the wound right away for proper,

If your cat has been in a fight, examine his or her fur carefully for hidden bite wounds. You’ll often find punctures around the neck area, rump area, and on the legs. Look through the hair carefully to find bloodstains, which would indicate the skin has been punctured. Although there may be only a few punctures, extensive damage may have been done to underlying muscles.

If the wounds are deep enough to require stitches, this should be done as soon as possible by a professional. If the wound is minor, you can tend to it at home before heading to the veterinarian. Use caution and the following tips to care for your cat’s animal bite.

Step 1: Approach the cat carefully, and make sure to restrain the cat if it is excited or nervous. Step 2: Clip the hair around the wound to assess the damage. Step 3: Flush the cat’s bite wound thoroughly by pouring 3 percent into it. Do not use any other antiseptic. This is one of the major complications of a bite.

Step 4: Examine the cat’s bite wound. If the tissue under the wound appears to pass by when you move the skin, the wound will probably require stitches. ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Steps 5a, 5b, and 5c Step 5: Do not bandage the wound. Allow the wound to drain unless there is excessive bleeding. If the wound does bleed excessively, follow these steps: Step 5a: Cover the wound with a clean cloth, sterile dressing, or sanitary napkin.

  • Step 5b: Place your hand over the dressing and press firmly.
  • Step 5c: Keep pressure on the dressing to stop the bleeding.
  • If soaks through the dressing, do not remove it.
  • Apply more dressing and continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops.
  • Step 6: If the wound is deep enough to require stitches, transport the cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Step 7: If the biting animal is destroyed, take it to the veterinarian for a rabies examination. Do not touch it with your bare hands. Be sure to wear gloves or wrap the body in a blanket. Your veterinarian will take care of the rabies examination. Step 8: If your cat is not currently vaccinated for rabies, contact the veterinarian.

Contents

Can cats recover from dog bites?

Recovery of Bite Wounds in Cats – Recovery and management of bite wounds in your cat will depend on the severity of the initial wound. In non-life threatening cases, your cat should make a complete recovery with proper treatment. If your cat has had stitches or a drain tube, you will need to schedule a follow up procedure in order for these items to be removed part way through the healing process.

Allowing the wound to fully heal around stitches or tubes can create additional complications to healing. You will need to ensure your cat is kept comfortable and quiet to promote healing from a bite wound. Your cat may also need to wear a cone or other appropriate limiting device if they incessantly lick, groom or otherwise irritate the wound site.

Overall, with appropriate follow-up care and adherence to your veterinarian’s prescribed course of medications and wound care, your cat has an excellent chance of a full recovery from their bite wound injury. Bite wounds can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of bite wounds, start searching for pet insurance today, Top

How do you treat a bite on a cat?

How Will My Veterinarian Treat a Cat Bite Wound? – If your cat was in a fight with another cat, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have them evaluated immediately. Your veterinarian will check the entire body, clean wounds properly with antiseptic, and recommend systemic cat antibiotics.

If wounds are treated with cat antibiotics within 24 hours, a localized infection or abscess infection will most likely be prevented. If cat antibiotics are not given to your cat immediately, an abscess will most likely form, resulting in more involved treatment. With an abscess, your veterinarian will recommend opening, draining and cleaning the site with an antiseptic flush.

Depending upon the wound and the nature of your cat, sedation may be required to properly treat the wound. Your veterinarian may recommend a culture to assess the exact type of infection and antibiotic that your pet will need. Some wounds may be more extensive, requiring a debridement (removal of the unhealthy tissues) and placement of a drain for a few days.

Do cat wounds heal themselves?

As long as your cat is not licking incessantly at the wounds and there is no swelling, bleeding, pus, odor, or pain, these can heal on their own with little to no therapy.

What antiseptic can I use on my cat?

Can I Do Anything at Home? – If your cat does wind up with a small injury, there are things you can do at home, after consulting with your vet. If there is active bleeding, apply gentle pressure to the wound with sterile gauze if your cat will tolerate it.

Once you have the bleeding wound under control, check your cat over for any other wounds. If your cat is in too much pain to permit this kind of treatment, get it to a veterinarian right away for further care and pain management. If you find a wound on your cat but it is no longer actively bleeding and it appears to be minor—small and not deep—you can gently clean the wound with a dilute antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine.

You can clean around the wound with sterile gauze and saline solution. If you find any wounds that appear deep or look like a puncture wound, simply clean around the wound with saline and bring your cat to your veterinarian or a local emergency clinic right away.

Every cat owner should be prepared for an emergency that would require at-home care. Keeping your cat’s first aid kit stocked with Neosporin may not be recommended, but there are certainly plenty of supplies that you can and should stock it with. First and foremost, your cat’s first aid kit should have the phone numbers of your veterinarian, local emergency vet hospitals, and ASPCA Pet Poison Control (1-888-426-4435).

You should also have a copy of your cat’s vaccine history, pertinent medical records, a photo, and microchip number if your cat is microchipped. Your cat’s first aid kit should have sterile gauze squares and non-stick or telfa pads. Blunt-ended bandaging scissors can be helpful to cut these materials.

  1. Povidone-iodine and saline solution should also be included in your kit to clean minor wounds.
  2. A properly fitting E-collar, or pet cone, is also important to prevent your cat from licking or chewing at its wound, which can make the injury worse and/or introduce infection.
  3. If your cat allows you to take a rectal temperature, a rectal “fever” thermometer and water-based lubricating gel should be included.

Make sure the thermometer is a “fever” thermometer as cats have a normal temperature that can be as high as 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so regular thermometers may not be able to read your cat’s temperature, especially if they have a fever, These are just bare essentials to start your cat’s first aid kit.

  • Check out another great article on The Spruce Pets that details all the things that you need for a fully stocked, ready-for-anything first aid kit here.
  • Every cat owner wants to be able to help their pet when they need it.
  • Eeping a well-stocked first aid kit is essential.
  • Just make sure you keep the Neosporin out of the cat’s first aid kit and in your own personal kit.

FAQ

Can you use Neosporin on cats? You should not, no. It can cause anaphylactic shock. How do you remove Neosporin on cats? With pet shampoo, and if you don’t have that try baby shampoo. Does Neosporin work on cats? No, because Neosporin is poisonous for cats and its use is life threatening.

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet’s health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

How can I treat my cat’s wound at home?

Initially, attempt to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with an absorbent dressing, such as dry gauze, followed by a layer of bandage material or a clean, dry cloth. This will protect the wound during transport to the veterinary clinic and prevent any further contamination of the injury.

When to take a cat to the vet for a wound?

Assess the Wound For Signs of Infection – If your cat’s wound is older, it could already be infected. Abscess, fever, noticeable discomfort or pain, behavioral changes, or pus discharge are all signs of infection. If you notice signs of infection, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible for treatment, which may include antibiotics.

What ointment can I put on a cat wound?

Watch out for Pain Relievers in the Ointment – It is advised to use the ointment over the cream because the cream has more additives. NEVER use any type that contains painkillers as these can be similar to human NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which can cause your pet to get sick.

  1. Overall, Neosporin or any first aid ointment is beneficial to the superficial wounds your pet may endure but anything bigger, or certainly something looking infected should be inspected by your veterinarian.
  2. Definitely do not use any first aid ointment on suture sites UNLESS directed by your veterinarian.

For more information on how to recognize infections or other issues with your pets, take a, it will help teach you how to find issues with your pets and how to apply the appropriate aid. I hope this sheds some light, it is a popular query. According to, “Can you put Neosporin on a dog?” ranked #8! Jack Daniel, modeling first aid ointment (c) Starkraven Boxers As for a personal reference, while Neosporin is a well know brand, finding a petroleum-free wound healing alternative is always good too. I like to use Microcyn, sovereign silver or colloidal silver. They provide similar antibacterial protection and healing without the use of a petroleum base. : Is Neosporin Safe for My Dog and Cat?

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What are the first signs of rabies in a cat?

Symptoms of Cat Rabies – Early symptoms of rabies may be gradual and hard to spot. During the first 2-4 days of infection, your cat may have a fever, less energy than usual, and decreased appetite. Symptoms tend to progress quickly to weakness or paralysis of the legs, seizures, difficulty breathing, hypersalivation (too much saliva) due to difficulty swallowing, and abnormal behavior.

Changes in behavior can range from extreme aggression to extreme depression or coma. Classical rabies has two forms, paralytic and furious. Cats may show signs of either or both. If the furious phase develops, cats can become aggressive and occasionally delusional. They may seem to hallucinate and attack their surroundings with no trigger.

The paralytic phase may also occur, in which patients start to develop paralysis of various muscular systems, and often lose the ability to swallow. This leads to hypersalivation and foaming at the mouth—which some people consider to be a classical sign of rabies virus infection.

What is the fastest way to heal a wound on a cat?

Treating Cat Scrapes and Wounds – When an injury or cat scratch occurs, an animal’s immune system naturally fights off infection and works to facilitate the healing process. But that doesn’t mean that you should let them heal unaided, especially if they appear to be suffering. It pays to be overcautious and nip any problem in the bud by taking your cat in to the veterinarian.

Look for signs of infection – Your first task is to determine whether the feline wound is new or old. An old wound can get infected, which would likely require veterinary attention and antibiotics. Common signs of a wound infection include: 2

  • Pus discharge
  • Abscesses
  • Fever
  • Noticeable pain or discomfort
  • Behavioral changes
  1. Identify the severity of the wound – If you rule out an infection and determine the injury is fresh, your next step is to decide how serious the injury is. Typically, it only takes an eye test to gauge the severity. Should the injury require stitches, surgery, or a cast, it’s best to take your cat to see a veterinarian immediately.
  2. Staunch the blood flow – If your cat is bleeding from minor wounds, the blood needs to be staunched. For that, apply pressure directly to the wound using a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Depending on the laceration’s location and depth, it will likely take 5-10 minutes for a clot to form. If the wound is not clotting properly, take your cat to the vet right away.
  3. Flush the wound – For small cuts and abrasions, you can gently clean the wound with a clean wet cloth and iodine or a saline solution. You may first need to move excess hair from the wound area, or even clip the hair if necessary. Try to clear any debris from the wound site as best as you can without rubbing.
  4. Apply an antimicrobial hydrogel – After the cleaning, it’s time to jumpstart the healing process and help prevent a potential bacterial infection. You can do this by applying a wound and infection antimicrobial treatment product that’s made for cats, such as the Vetericyn Plus® Feline Antimicrobial Hydrogel, This can help clean and adhere to the wound site, providing an extra layer of protection and healing. Simply spray it directly onto the cat scrape or onto the dressings before applying them to the wound.
  5. Periodically check the wound – Once you’ve done what you can for your feline friend, you have to sit back and let time and nature go to work. Do your best to keep your cat from licking, chewing, or scratching at the injury site. Keep the bandage clean and dry and examine the wound daily to make sure it’s not getting infected. When you do, change the bandage and spray on more of the antimicrobial around the edges of the laceration or wound.

If your cat’s injury worsens or looks as if it’s getting infected, don’t hesitate to visit the vet. As said before, a cat’s wound can easily develop a bacterial infection if you’re not careful.

How do you disinfect a cat wound?

What to do if your cat has a wound – Some things you should do immediately after noticing a fresh wound on your cat are:

  1. Examine your cat for signs of infection – wounds can become infected regardless of how long ago your cat sustained the injury. Some possible signs of infection are:
    • Pus discharge
    • Abscesses
    • Fever or lethargy
    • Noticeable pain or discomfort
    • Change in behavior
  2. Determine the severity of the wound – You should be able to easily determine whether the wound requires immediate veterinary attention or can be safely cared for at home. If there are obvious signs that the wound is severe then it is best to contact your veterinarian immediately.
  3. Slow the blood flow – If the wound is bleeding you will need to slow the blood flow. To do this you will apply pressure directly to the wound using a clean cloth or sterile gauze for approximately 5 – 10 minutes until a clot forms. If you cannot get the bleeding to stop you should contact your vet right away.
  4. Flush the wound – If the wound is minor you should gently clean the wound using a clean wet cloth and iodine or a saline solution. It is best to remove as much hair and debris from the wounded area as possible without rubbing.
  5. Apply an antimicrobial hydrogel – Once the wound is clean it is recommended to apply an antimicrobial treatment product such as Vetericyn Plus® Feline Antimicrobial Hydrogel, in order to speed up healing and prevent infection.
  6. Monitor the wound – Once you have cleaned and provided protection for the wound you should continue to monitor your cat and the wound daily for any signs of irritation or infection. You may need to help prevent your cat from chewing or licking the wounded area as well and keep the bandages clean and dry.

If your cat’s symptoms worsen or you notice any signs of infection it is best to contact your vet immediately to have your cat examined.

Do cats feel pain from wounds?

Causes of Pain in Cats – Just like us, cats can feel pain for all sorts of reasons. For instance, they may experience pain from an injury, such as a bruise, burn, laceration, or fracture. They may have pain due to a health condition, like arthritis, an upper respiratory infection (URI), dental disease, or an ear infection.

What antibiotic ointment is safe for cats?

Vetropolycin® Veterinary Ophthalimic Ointment – Bacitracin-Neomycin-Polymyxin – Vetropolycin® for cats is a triple antibiotic ointment often prescribed to treat bacterial infections of the eyelid and conjunctiva.

What antibiotic can I use on a cat wound?

Infection in your cat’s body can be caused by several types of microorganisms. These include bacterium, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Your veterinarian will determine the kind of antibiotic medication used to treat your cat after diagnosing the infection and understanding which type of organism is the culprit.

  • The antibiotic used to treat your cat will depend on how the medication works in your cat’s body.
  • Your veterinarian will also discuss potential side effects you should look out for.
  • If you accidentally skip a dose of antibiotics, give the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose.

Do not give your cat two doses unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. Bacterial infections Bacterium can attack your cat’s body through open wounds, in something your cat ingests, or just by being present in your cat’s environment. They come in different shapes and sizes, and the physical characteristics will help your veterinarian determine which bacteria are infecting your cat.

These microscopic, one-celled organisms cause gastroenteritis, pneumonia, skin infections, urinary tract problems, and many other diseases. If not treated immediately with antibiotics, the bacterium can multiply. How do antibacterials work? The goal of anti-bacterial antibiotics is to destroy the bad cells in your cat without damaging the healthy cells.

Depending on the medication, an antibiotic may prevent the bacterium from building cell walls, thereby inhibiting reproduction. An antibiotic can also starve the bacterium by preventing it from transforming glucose into energy, which is a major function of all living cells.

Enrofloxacin ( Baytril ) – respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid ( Clavamox ) – wounds, respiratory infections, skin infections Metronidazole (Flagyl) – gastrointestinal upsets, periodontal disease Clindamycin (Antirobe) – bacterial, soft tissue, bone, and dental infections

Viral Infections Viruses are responsible for feline herpes and the feline calici virus, as well as several other diseases that can sicken your cat. These parasites are so small they are estimated to be one-hundredth the size of the average bacterium and can multiply only inside the living cells of other organisms.

  • How do anti-virals work? Anti-viral drugs cannot kill the virus, but they work by stopping the virus from growing and reproducing, thereby letting the virus die on its own.
  • There are no commonly used anti-viral drugs in veterinary medicine, but most veterinarians opt to treat all of the potential secondary bacterial infections that can occur in order to decrease your cat’s discomfort while the virus leaves the system.

Some anti-viral medications for cats include:

Pradofloxacin (Veraflox) – upper respiratory infections Cephalexin (Keflex) – skin, urinary tract, and respiratory infections Ampicillin – gastrointestinal issues

Fungal infections Fungi are microscopic organisms related to yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They live by ingesting the building materials of your cat’s cells, destroying growth tissue, and feeding on the waste materials of dying cells. If your cat has ringworm, skin, or ear yeast infections, or the more serious and deadly blastomycosis, then a fungus is to blame.

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Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) – ringworm infections Ketoconazole (Nizoral) – internal and external fungal infections, Cushing’s disease Fluconazole (Diflucan) – skin, yeast, and ringworm infections Amphotericin B (Fungizone) – histoplasmosis and blastomycosis infections

Protozoal infections Protozoa are micro-organisms that feed on the nutrients in your cat’s body through the food produced by your cat’s digestive system. Protozoa are covered in hair-like structures called “cilia,” and constantly move around your cat’s cellular structures to reproduce by feasting on as many nutrients as possible.

These parasites cause major gastrointestinal tract disorders like Coccidiosis and Giardiasis, and the blood disease Haemobartonellosis, which can be fatal. How do anti-protozoals work? Some anti-protozoal antibiotics for cats work to kill the microorganisms in your cat’s body by damaging its DNA, and by inhibiting cell growth and reproduction so that the infection goes away as the protozoa die off.

Other cat antibiotics kill the protozoa directly. Common antibiotics used to combat protozoal infection in your cat include:

Metronidazole (Flagyl) Ampicillin

Should you cover a cat wound?

How to dress a cat wound – A minor wound is best left to heal uncovered but larger wounds may benefit from a dressing e.g. gauze pad taped onto skin clipped of hair. The best tape to use is the ‘micropore’ type as the ‘Elastoplast’ ones will stick too firmly to the cat’s skin and may cause damage on removal.

After cleaning, the wound may be dressed. A minor wound is best left to heal uncovered but larger wounds may benefit from a dressing e.g. gauze pad taped onto skin clipped of hair. Some areas of the body are easy to dress such as legs, but others such as tails and ears are more difficult. With any wound that your cat may be able to reach and lick, it may be sensible to purchase an Elizabethan collar (make sure this is fitted correctly according to instructions).

A cat’s tongue is a potential source of harmful bacteria and the tongue is abrasive so the licking action can irritate a wound and cause infection. Please note that should bleeding wick through your initial dressing then do not remove the dressing as you may dislodge any clots formed.

Can a cat heal naturally?

Treating Minor Wounds at Home Very small scrapes or cuts to your cat are often not worth worrying too much about. Minor abrasions will usually heal on their own without human intervention.

What can I give to my injured cat?

Feed small amounts of a bland diet ( boiled chicken or white fish) and see a vet if it persists more than a day. your cat appears to be in severe pain or discomfort.

How much does it cost to treat a cat wound?

Broken bones

Type of care Potential cost for dogs Potential cost for cats
Wound treatment & repair $800-$2,500 $800-$1,500
Emergency surgery (bloat, foreign body, hit by a car) $1,800-$5,000 $1,500-$3,000
X-rays $200-$400 $200-$400

How do you tell if a cat has an infected wound?

Clinical Signs – The bacteria that are trapped under the skin following a bite wound can multiply for several days before any signs of infection become apparent. Swelling and pain at the puncture site are the most common signs of infection; many times, the cat will also run a fever.

  1. If loose skin is present around the puncture sites, a pocket of pus will form an abscess.
  2. If the skin is not loose, such as on a foot or the tail, infection spreads throughout the tissues, but the swelling may be less apparent than with an abscess.
  3. This type of infection is called cellulitis.
  4. With both an abscess and cellulitis, trapped pus can made the cat quite toxic and extremely ill.

The most frequent sites for bite wounds are the face, legs, back, tail and over the rump.

How often do cats survive dog attacks?

Risk factors for attacks by dogs on other dogs, cats Credit: Pixabay Dog attacks on other dogs or cats are traumatic events for pet owners—but what do we know about how commonly they occur, or how you might reduce the risk of your pet being involved? A recent study by the University of Adelaide, in conjunction with the Animal Emergency Centers in Melbourne, demonstrated that in four separate emergency veterinary hospitals, 2.4% of all presentations were the result of dog attacks.

As an emergency veterinarian, I see directly the emotional and financial cost when a pet is attacked by a dog,” said lead author Dr. Christine Heyward, an Adelaide alumna working in Melbourne who carried out the research with the university. “There have been many studies (around) dog bites on humans but this is one of the first studies to report the numbers of cases and investigate relating to being attacked by a dog.” Thankfully, almost 92% of dogs that presented with bite injuries survived the attacks and were later discharged and given a clean bill of health.

Cats, however, were not so lucky: their survival rate through to discharge was less than half—at 46%. “This is likely due to the smaller size of,” said Dr. Susan Hazel, from the School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide, adding that cats also tended to present with more than dogs.

The emotional cost of such trauma is distressing to owners, but they often needed to dig into their pockets too. In most cases involving dogs and cats, the cost was between $360 and $380, but she said some longer hospital stays were likely to cost their owners thousands of dollars—and in one serious case, the bill ran to more than $13,000.

Risk factors for a dog presenting after a dog attack included being a cross-bred versus pure-bred dog and being neutered. However, dogs aged between two and seven were actually less likely to be attacked. Dr. Heyward said: “It’s hard to interpret why neutered dogs might be more likely to present.

  • It’s possible that non-neutered dogs sustained fewer injuries in fights—or were involved in less fights.
  • Neutered dogs had a 76% survival rate when presenting versus only 39% for non-neutered dogs, so they were more likely to present but may have had less severe injuries.” Where the animals live also makes a difference: In lower socio-economic areas, dogs were more likely to be attacked at home by a known attacker; in areas with a higher socio-economic score, dogs were more likely to be attacked in public by an unknown dog.

Dr. Hazel said it was interesting to compare these results to what we know about dog attacks on humans. She explained: “(For instance) in a recent study from the University of Queensland, pediatric dog bites were clustered in lower socio-economic areas south of Brisbane.” She said while most dogs were friendly and much-loved companions, people needed to be aware that not only bite people but also other animals.

  1. If a dog is showing aggressive behavior, owners needed to exercise due care and responsibility—keeping them on a leash when outside the home, or safely contained,
  2. For example, inside or in a secure and fenced yard. Dr.
  3. Hazel added: “If your animal is attacked by a dog, that attack should be reported as soon as possible to your local council, which will then investigate.

“Through research into dog attacks it is hoped we can design programs to reduce the risk of —this will be a win-win for both animal and human welfare.” More information: Christine L. Heyward et al, Characteristics and outcomes of dog attacks to dogs and cats in Melbourne, Australia: A retrospective study of 459 cases (2018), Preventive Veterinary Medicine (2022).

  • Citation : Risk factors for attacks by dogs on other dogs, cats (2022, March 22) retrieved 23 November 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-03-factors-dogs-cats.html This document is subject to copyright.
  • Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission.

The content is provided for information purposes only. : Risk factors for attacks by dogs on other dogs, cats

What will happen if a dog bites a cat?

Dog bites vary from superficial skin wounds to serious penetrating injuries. Prompt cleaning of superficial wounds can decrease the risk of infection. You should then take your cat to the veterinarian for evaluation and follow any instructions the vet gives you for home care.

Be aware that a dog bite across the cat may cause internal injuries, including crush injuries, damage to the internal organs, or air leaks into the chest. If the dog bites and shakes the cat then seeking veterinary attention is essential because of the potential to do trauma to the cat’s internal organs.

Remember, the damage done by a dog is about more than the superficial skin wounds.

  1. 1 Deal with any bleeding right away. Immediately see if your cat is bleeding. When it comes from a dog, even a small bite can cause bleeding.
    • Apply direct pressure to the wound. You need to do this with sterile gauze. Gauze from a human first aid kit should be safe for your cat. If you do not have a first aid kit, you can use large bandages, which should be sterile. Do not use anything that could cause an infection, especially tissue paper or toilet paper left out in the bathroom, as this can be ripe with bacteria.
    • It may take 5 or 10 minutes for the bleeding to stop. Your cat will probably be frightened and cats, by nature, will instinctively run and hide when scared. You may need the assistance of a second person to hold your cat still and you might also want to wrap your cat in a blanket to prevent him from kicking and scratching.
    • If possible, tape the gauze or bandaid in place once bleeding stops. Removing it may remove the blood clot, resulting in your cat starting to bleed again.
  2. 2 Examine the cat for other wounds. Even if only one spot on your cat is obviously bleeding, do a thorough examination to check for any other wounds on your cat’s body. Dog bites and scratches can cause a variety of marks.
    • Your cat may have minor breaks in the skin, puncture wounds, or scratches. These might not be bleeding at all or only bleeding a small amount but they still warrant treatment via cleaning.
  3. 3 Clean the wound to the best of your abilities. Once you’ve treated any bleeding and examined your cat for other wounds, you should clean the wounds quickly. It’s best to use an antiseptic solution, but if this is unavailable simply use plain water.
    • You can create an antiseptic solution by diluting concentrated solutions containing iodine or chlorhexidine diacetate in water. Such solutions can be purchased at most drug stores and should be diluted to the point they’re the color of tea or a light blue shade.
    • Avoid disinfectants that contain phenolic compounds, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide as these are toxic to cats.
    • If in doubt, make up a salt water solution by adding a teaspoon of salt to a pint of previously boiled water. Allow it to cool before you use it.
    • Flush the solution over the surface of the wound. If possible, use a syringe to do so. If the wound is long or deep, or a puncture wound, clean around the edges instead of inside the wound itself.
  4. 4 Learn about potential complications. Left untreated, dog bites can result in a number of potential complications. They can become infected and lead to other symptoms.
    • An untreated bite can develop into an abscess, which is a fluid filled lump just under the surface of the skin. You may notice your cat limping as well as a loss of appetite or lethargy. Hair might fall out around the bite and skin might become red, ooze, and emit a foul odor.
    • If your cat has not had a recent rabies vaccination, he should be vaccinated right away if you do not know the dog’s rabies status. You may have to have your cat quarantined and observed for signs of rabies.
  1. 1 Get an appointment as soon as possible. Even if wounds seem minor, any injuries should be treated by a veterinarian immediately. Dog saliva could potentially cause infections and if there’s need for further treatment beyond at home care, it’s better to know sooner than later.
    • In addition to taking normal vitals like heartbeat and temperature, your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination of any and all wounds to determine the best course of treatment.
    • Your cat’s hair will likely be shaved in certain areas near the wounds prior to the physical examination. X-rays may be needed for certain wound depending on how deep or severe they are.
    • If your cat is still shaken up from the fight, he may behave aggressively in the vet’s office. Sedation may be needed. If you’re seeing a new vet, make sure to give her a brief listing of your cat’s medical history. Certain conditions, like heart murmurs, can be affected negatively by sedation.
  2. 2 Go over treatment options. Treatment is dependent on the severity of the cut. Your vet will choose a treatment option that’s right for your cat.
    • Small wounds may not require much care. Your vet will clean such wounds and might use some skin glue to keep the edges together. However, deeper wounds will be cleaned carefully and if they’re less than 12 hours old they will be sutured together.
    • If wounds are contaminated, or very long and deep, they may require the placement of a Penrose drain. This is a soft rubber tube that drains contamination from a wound.
  3. 3 Ask for instructions regarding any medication. Medication may be required. Depending on whether the wound is infected, antibiotics might be needed. Your cat might also just need painkillers to deal with discomfort. Make sure you understand how and when to administer whatever medication is prescribed and ask your vet questions about possible side effects.
    • Normally, your vet will prescribe a round of antibiotics for your cat. Give the cat all the meds as directed. Even if symptoms clear up, continue administering antibiotics until they’re gone.
  1. 1 Keep your cat from licking his wound. You need to make sure your cat does not lick or bite at his wound. This could cause an infection or prematurely open bandages, drains, or sutures.
    • You might need to ask your vet about a Elizabethan collar, which is a cone like device attached to your cat’s neck to prevent licking. Depending on your cat’s temperament, he may be able to tolerate an Elizabethan collar.
    • If you notice your cat licking or chewing, gently correct the behavior. Clap your hands and say “No.” You may have to ask someone to watch your cat while you’re at work or school to make sure he does not chew at his wounds.
  2. 2 Change bandages as directed. Your vet will give you directions about changing your cat’s bandages. Follow her instructions and call her with any questions.
    • You may need to change bandages as often as two to three times a day. If you have a busy schedule, ask a friend or family member who’s comfortable with cats whether they can change the bandages while you’re at work or school.
    • You might have to place antibiotic ointment around the wounds while changing the bandages, depending on the care regimen your vet outlined.
    • If you notice an odor or unusual discharge while changing the bandages, take your cat to the vet’s for reevaluation.
  3. 3 Make all necessary follow up appointments. If your cat was given sutures or a drain, you’ll need to make a follow up appointment to have them removed.
    • Sutures are usually removed 10 to 12 days after being put in place.
    • Penrose drains are generally removed in 3 to 5 days.
  4. 4 Prevent such accidents in the future. You want to make sure such accidents do not happen in the future. Dog bites can be fatal.
    • If the bite was caused by a neighborhood dog, talk to your neighbor about making sure it does not happen again. Ask him politely not to let his dog run loose and suggest obedience training to deal with aggression issues.
    • In general, do not let your cat run loose unsupervised in your neighborhood. This can prevent him from encountering another dog in the future.
    • If the incident happened with your own dog, you need to separate the animals until they’ve both calmed down and then slowly reintroduce them. Allow them to interact through a door at first and then have short, supervised face-to-face interactions.
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Is it normal for a dog to bite a cat?

Q: We’re having a neighborhood problem because some of our neighbors think our dog is vicious. We don’t deny that she’s killed several cats. In fact, we’re the ones who reported the incidents to our neighbors, because every time it’s happened has been in our backyard. Dr. Patty Khuly has a veterinary practice at Sunset Animal Clinic in South Miami. A: Every week our hospital sees at least a few dogs and cats who have experienced violent exchanges with other pets, typically with members of their own species. Only rarely do we see feline patients who have been injured by dogs.

Not that it happens rarely. In fact, it’s pretty common for dogs to want to hurt cats. It’s just that a) cats are pretty good at staying away from dogs who’d rather they not be around and b) dogs are very efficient at eradicating cats. The wounds they inflict are usually deep, crushing injuries. Which is why they mostly don’t make it to the vet’s.

Because these dogs view cats as prey, this kind of behavior is referred to as predatory aggression. For them, hunting cats is no different than hunting rats, opossums or squirrels. These dogs do not share our human conception of cats as fundamentally different from backyard wildlife.

  • And why should they? Certain breeds of dogs (shepherds, especially) have been genetically selected for their ability to guard against predators.
  • As carnivores, cats are the very definition of predator for dogs who are wired to think like this.
  • So what does that mean for your dog? When an otherwise friendly backyard dog attacks cats who enter their yards, predatory aggression is typically assumed.

This type of attack is wholly within the normal context of a predator-prey relationship. Sad as this may be for the cat’s human family, this kind of behavior is considered natural and normal. Understandably, grief-stricken people may use words like “vicious” and “dangerous” to describe your dog, but it sounds unlikely to be true in this case.

Predatory” sounds way more apropos. Asking your veterinarian or another canine behavior professional to assess your dog’s temperament (and attest to its nature in writing) sounds like an excellent idea in this case. Dr. Patty Khuly has a veterinary practice at Sunset Animal Clinic in South Miami. Her website is drpattykhuly.com.

Send questions to [email protected].

What are the first signs of rabies in a cat?

Symptoms of Cat Rabies – Early symptoms of rabies may be gradual and hard to spot. During the first 2-4 days of infection, your cat may have a fever, less energy than usual, and decreased appetite. Symptoms tend to progress quickly to weakness or paralysis of the legs, seizures, difficulty breathing, hypersalivation (too much saliva) due to difficulty swallowing, and abnormal behavior.

Changes in behavior can range from extreme aggression to extreme depression or coma. Classical rabies has two forms, paralytic and furious. Cats may show signs of either or both. If the furious phase develops, cats can become aggressive and occasionally delusional. They may seem to hallucinate and attack their surroundings with no trigger.

The paralytic phase may also occur, in which patients start to develop paralysis of various muscular systems, and often lose the ability to swallow. This leads to hypersalivation and foaming at the mouth—which some people consider to be a classical sign of rabies virus infection.