Visible bleeding from a broken nail or cut ear looks scary and makes a terrible mess, but internal bleeding in the chest or abdomen that you cannot see is much more dangerous. That said, bleeding from any source is concerning if a lot of blood is lost. To minimize external blood loss, you can provide first aid for bleeding cats until they arrive at their veterinary hospital.
What happens when a cat is bleeding?
When a cat bleeds, it can lose a lot of blood over a short period of time, which may cause shock. A cat in shock has an increased heart rate and low blood pressure. She may have pale or white gums and breathe rapidly. If left untreated, shock can cause organ systems to shut down and the cat may suffer permanent damage or death. Minutes matter, so pet owners should know how to control bleeding and prevent shock until they can reach emergency help.
What precautions should I take when helping my cat?
Safety is important when handling injured cats, both for the cat and the owner. Remember that an injured pet is scared and in pain. Even the sweetest cats may bite and scratch under those circumstances. Take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten while trying to help an injured cat. You may need to use a muzzle or have someone restrain the cat while you provide first aid. Wrapping the cat in a warm towel may comfort the cat and protect you from injury.
What should I do if my cat is bleeding?
All first aid protocols for bleeding cats have the same goal: control blood loss. But different techniques are required for internal and external bleeding. You cannot do much to stop internal bleeding on your own, but you can control external bleeding until you reach a veterinarian. Different parts of the body also require different techniques to control bleeding. Here are guidelines for controlling bleeding in various parts of the body.
Paws. Wrap the paw in gauze or a small towel and apply constant pressure to the paw. Bleeding should stop in 5–10 minutes. If the source of blood is a broken nail, you can apply a styptic pencil, silver nitrate stick, or cauterizing powder to the nail. These items can be purchased at the pet store or in the first aid section of your human pharmacy.
If you do not have these products at home, try covering the nail with baking powder, corn starch, or flour. You can also stick the tip of the nail into a bar of soap to help stop the bleeding. Keep the paw wrapped in the towel as you proceed to your veterinary hospital.
If the paw is bleeding from a cut or torn foot pad, look for debris or foreign objects such as glass or metal shards that may be lodged in the pad. If you can easily grasp the object with tweezers, gently remove it. You can help dislodge tiny particles by swishing the paw in cool water or holding it under gently running water.
If the debris is lodged deep in the paw, leave it alone. Digging too deeply will only worsen the injury, resulting in more bleeding and pain. Deeply lodged objects should only be removed by your veterinarian. They can sedate your cat to make the procedure more comfortable. To control bleeding until then, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel. Minor tears will stop bleeding in a matter of minutes, but deeper wounds take longer to stabilize. Also, bleeding may reoccur when the cat walks on the foot. If you cannot stop the bleeding within 10–15 minutes, take your cat to an emergency veterinary hospital.
Legs. Lacerations on legs often result in significant bleeding if a major vein or artery is severed. Wrap a clean towel around the wound and apply firm pressure. If possible, raise the leg above the level of the heart. If the towel becomes soaked through, do not remove it. Place another towel on top of it and continue applying firm pressure. Removing the towel may dislodge clots and make the bleeding worse. Proceed promptly to your veterinary hospital.
For minor cuts on legs, look for a foreign body and remove it if you can easily reach it. Flush the wound with clean water to remove any smaller debris, then cover the wound with gauze or a towel. Keep pressure on the wound by holding the towel in place or taping the gauze around the leg while you transport your cat to your veterinarian.
Torso. When a cat has a cut on the chest or abdominal wall, taping may be necessary, as it can be difficult to hold a towel in place. Surround the towel with 3 or 4 strips of tape that circle the entire chest or abdomen. Do not tape the towel too tightly, to avoid restricting your dog’s breathing.
If you hear a “sucking” noise as the cat breathes, keep the towel firmly in place and proceed immediately to an emergency hospital. Some chest injuries involve the lungs and can be fatal. If there is an object protruding from a chest or abdominal wound (e.g., stick or arrow), do not remove it. Wrap the towel carefully around it without disturbing the foreign object.
Ears. Ears tend to bleed a lot. There are many blood vessels near the ear flap’s skin surface and cats tend to shake their heads, which makes the bleeding worse. Place gauze or a small face cloth on both sides of the ear flap, then fold the ear over the top of the cat’s head and hold it firmly in place. You may hold the towel or gauze bandage in place by wrapping tape around the top of the cat’s head and under her neck. Be careful not to restrict breathing: you should be able to place two fingers between the cat’s neck and the bandage.
Internal Bleeding. It is not possible to stop internal bleeding without veterinary intervention. Signs of internal bleeding may include pale gums, shallow or labored breathing, or weakness. These signs can also be seen with shock, as noted above. If you suspect internal bleeding, transport your cat to your veterinary hospital.
