Injured cat, emergency vet on his way...what to do until then

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Sharon in Boston - 12 Apr 2005 23:18 GMT

Hi,

We found a cat in our yard this afternoon, looks like he was just hit by a
car, or fell..He was limping, barely walking, left leg seems out of joint -
it is at an "off" angle..there is a big scrape at the "hip" part of the
leg..

We have him on a pillow in a box...We called the emergency vet, he is
supposed to be here ASAP.

What should we do until then - the cat seems calm, he is lying down on the
pillow. Should we put a blanket over him, like when a person goes into
shock? Give him some tuna fish to nibble on to keep him happy?

thanks so much..I think we're more scared than he is!!!

Sharon

Reply to this Message

Mathew Kagis - 12 Apr 2005 23:29 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Sharon

DON'T feed him!!!! If the vet needs to take him for surgery, food in the
belly is a bad idea. Water should be fine & he'll probably want some...
Other than that, do what you're doing... Keep him comfey & wait for the
vet..

Signature

Mathew
Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat
En Vino Veritas

Reply to this Message

Elle - 12 Apr 2005 23:58 GMT

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=2526 has some info:

Note especially applying pressure to bleeding wounds, administering CPR, and
keeping the cat covered to help calm him/her.

I'll google a bit more re the shock and feeding questions. I'm just
searching using {"emergency care" cats}

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> --
> Message posted via http://www.catkb.com

Reply to this Message

-L. - 13 Apr 2005 00:45 GMT

No food or water. If it is cold, but a blanket on him, otherwise, just
try to keep him still. He may bite, so handle him as little as
possible. And try to find his ownere asap - of course.

Hope he is ok...

-L.

Reply to this Message

Mary - 13 Apr 2005 01:06 GMT

> thanks so much..I think we're more scared than he is!!!

Sharon--I hope he is okay. Please keep us posted. Thanks for
taking care of him.

Reply to this Message

MaryL - 13 Apr 2005 01:50 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Sharon

I would say "do nothing" because the vet is on the way. Don't move him, and
don't give food or water. Just keep him comfortable. Don't even use a
blanket unless he seems chilled. The less you do, the better, because you
don't want to contribute any further injuries (and you don't want to
frighten him so he might make a sudden movement on his own).

Thanks for taking care of this little kitty.

MaryL

Reply to this Message

Sharon in Boston - 13 Apr 2005 04:05 GMT

Update:
The vet came shortly after I got off the computer..He took the cat..and my
credit card number <:o)..We didn't want him to absorb the cost, even though
he offered to..He'll keep us notified about the cat's condition..We named
him "Spinner".

The vet works with a local adoption agency who'll help place him after he
heals. My husband and I can't adopt him, we travel too much for work -
plants are about all we can handle..Thanks everyone!!

Sharon

Reply to this Message

Candace - 13 Apr 2005 04:56 GMT

> Update:
> The vet came shortly after I got off the computer..He took the cat..and my
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Sharon

Sharon, you did a very nice thing by helping the kitty. A lot of
people would not do nearly as much. You can feel very good about
yourself. And it's really nice of the vet to do all that as well as
help get him a home. That's pretty rare, too. My vet sure wouldn't do
it.

Good luck and I hope Spinner has a quick recovery and gets a wonderful
(indoor) home.

Candace

Reply to this Message

Mary - 13 Apr 2005 05:10 GMT

> Update:
> The vet came shortly after I got off the computer..He took the cat..and my
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Sharon

Sharon, I'm so glad he is okay--you're just wonderful.

Reply to this Message

MaryL - 13 Apr 2005 08:53 GMT

> Update:
> The vet came shortly after I got off the computer..He took the cat..and my
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Sharon

Sharon, this is wonderful news. You and your husband are special people.
Please keep us updated.

MaryL

Reply to this Message

Phil P. - 13 Apr 2005 10:44 GMT

> Update:
> The vet came shortly after I got off the computer..He took the cat..and my
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Sharon

No. Thank *YOU* for caring and doing a wonderful thing! ;-) Catdom needs
more people like you.

Best of luck.

Phil

Reply to this Message