Cats are inquisitive and playful creatures, so they can get injured. If your cat injures itself on a leg or paw, it’s important to seek veterinary attention right away. Your vet will properly treat the wound and may recommend a temporary bandage.
Depending on the extent of the injury, your veterinarian may suggest keeping your cat in hospital for a few days or discharging it for care at home, with clear instructions for wound and dressing care, and regular checkups to ensure there are no complications related to the dressing or healing.
Bandaging a cat’s paws or legs can be difficult because they may easily remove the bandage, not comply, or bite the wound, but knowing how to care for a bandage on a cat’s paws or legs is a skill that can serve as a secret ingredient in being a competent and loving pet owner.
Here are some things to keep in mind when bandaging your cat’s paws, as well as four helpful tips.
Notes
Veterinarians rarely prescribe bandaging on cats’ paws. There are several reasons for this. Cats can very easily chew or remove bandages, and young cats and kittens can be so curious that they swallow pieces of the bandage. This can lead to digestive problems and even gastrointestinal blockages. That’s why bandaged cats usually wear an Elizabethan collar or are monitored as much as possible to avoid such accidents.
Another reason bandages should only be applied by a vet is because of the risk of problems developing. For example, when bandages get wet, they stick very tightly to your cat’s skin and the tissue underneath. If you don’t remove them quickly, your cat will try to bite them off, causing a lot of pain and discomfort. They can also reduce blood flow, which can lead to the skin and tissue underneath dying. They can also cause infection in the bandaged area, which can cause a very unpleasant smell, discharge, and peeling skin.
But it can get much worse than this. If bandages are left too tight for days, they can lead to necrosis of the soft tissue or fingers or toes – that is, the tissue dies as its blood supply becomes insufficient or completely absent. This is very uncomfortable for your cat, and increases the likelihood of sepsis, resistant infections from long-term antibiotic treatment, and the need for repeat surgery if affected tissue needs to be removed. Once your vet has bandaged your cat’s feet or legs, you’ll need to see them frequently to have the bandage reapplied, usually every 48 hours.
Veterinarians will bandage a cat’s paws only on very rare occasions, usually after orthopedic surgery or to stabilise a fracture. Wounds are rarely bandaged as bandaging can make them worse, and are usually left unbandaged whilst they are treated systemically with antibiotics and painkillers. Cats will also usually wear an Elizabethan collar.
Finally, the rare occasions when you may be asked to bandage your cat’s paws are in the case of sudden trauma or bleeding. This will be prescribed by your vet as a very temporary measure to prevent further bleeding until you can get to the vet. Today we will go into more detail to help you understand cat bandaging in case your vet bandages your cat after surgery.
Before you begin: First aid items
As we’ve already mentioned, if your cat has a bleeding wound, call the vet and let them know you’ll be coming, and then you can put a temporary bandage on your cat’s wound so you can feel at ease when you get to the vet. Ideally, you should have some items at home that you need to administer first aid to your cat, or you can use the materials in a first aid kit.
- Sterile bandages
- gauze
- Medical Tape
- Scissors
- Antiseptic veterinary wound wash or saline solution
- Bandage
- A pair of gloves
When treating your cat’s wounds, keep them as clean as possible and wear gloves to minimize risks to your own health, especially if your hands have cuts or scrapes. Make sure the disinfectant is a veterinarian-approved pet medicine, as your pet may lick it or swallow it. If it seems contaminated with dirt or hair, rinse the wound with saline before bandaging it, if possible. If the wound is fairly clean or is just bleeding, don’t waste time rinsing. Bandage it as tightly as possible and get to your vet.
If your cat breaks a leg, don’t try to bandage it – he’ll be in a lot of pain and may try to bite it – instead, take him to the vet straight away.
Store all of these dressing materials in a clean, dry, waterproof container so they are easily accessible in an emergency.
4 Tips for Bandaging Your Cat’s Paws
1. Cleaning the wound
This is a procedure performed by a veterinarian, often putting your cat under anesthesia to make sure they are comfortable and pain-free so that the vet can thoroughly clean and rinse them. Many wounds will also require stitches. In some cases, your vet may recommend cleaning or rinsing the wound at home if your cat will allow it, but these wounds are more likely to be left open and unbandaged.
If so, your vet will give you clear instructions on how to care for the wound and when to return for a re-examination. Wound cleaning is usually done by gently rinsing and washing the wound area with a cloth soaked in a veterinarian-approved diluted disinfectant or saline solution. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball and avoid rubbing the wound.
After cleaning the wound, in most cases no topical treatment is necessary, as cats are notorious for licking everything off. It is very important that your cat is rested, usually crated or confined to one room depending on the type of injury, with minimal exercise. If the wound is in a place that is prone to licking, it may be wearing an Elizabethan collar.
Inspect the wound at least twice a day for any signs of inflammation, redness, discharge, swelling, a foul odor, or an open wound. If there are any signs of an open wound, a veterinary examination should be sought prior to any scheduled veterinary appointments.
2. Bandage the wound
If your cat’s wound is bleeding, this is the only time you should bandage it. Otherwise, you should ask your veterinarian to do this, as an inadequate bandage can lead to serious complications. Depending on the type of wound, you can soak up the blood with sterile gauze before bandaging it. You can also secure it with medical tape.
Next, take a sterile bandage and gently, but with just the right amount of pressure, wrap the wound. Take the bandage starting at the bottom of the foot and wrap it around the entire foot, leaving out the fingers and toes, in a series of loops, continuing to move up the wound. Then wrap it back around the bottom and secure it with tape. This creates a sort of tight cocoon around the foot, and there is a bit of friction that holds the bandage in place, making it difficult to rub or unravel easily. Be careful not to bandage it too tight, and you should be able to fit at least one finger comfortably under the top of the bandage.
Bandages that are too tight can restrict circulation and do more harm than good, so use a good quality medical tape to keep the bandage strong. If your pet is bleeding through the bandage, add another layer and make it a bit tighter, but make sure to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible, who should be able to stop the bleeding.
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3. Keep the bandage dry and clean
Next comes the home care instructions. In rare cases, such as after orthopedic surgery, your vet may recommend sending your cat home with a bandage. It’s important to keep the bandage dry and clean. To do this, make sure your cat’s food and water bowls are a little elevated so they can’t be easily knocked over. Needless to say, cats with bandages or Elizabethan collars should never go outside, as they run a higher risk of getting into life-threatening trouble. If the bandage gets wet, it’s important to take your cat to the vet right away to have the bandage changed.
It is also important to check the bandage regularly to make sure it is not too tight or too loose, and that there is no discharge from the bandage or a foul odor.
4. Schedule regular dressing changes
Finally, it’s important to never miss your cat’s bandage change appointments. Bandage changes are usually every 48 hours, but sometimes a little longer. During bandage changes, your vet will check that the wound is healing properly and for any signs of complications. This is often done under sedation.
Your veterinarian may take samples for culture and sensitivity testing to select the appropriate antibacterial treatment, and may repeat x-rays your cat if monitoring bone healing after fracture repair. They will then provide you with clear information on wound healing progress, care instructions for the new home, and further testing.
Conclusion
Bandaging a bleeding injured cat’s paw can be a daunting and stressful task, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be done easily. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect, you just need to control the bleeding while you take your cat to the vet. Following these four tips for managing cat bandages will help you monitor your cat’s injury and catch early signs of complications. However, if you have any concerns about your cat’s injury or bandage, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
Featured image credits: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock
