Even though cats usually land on their feet, they can still sustain injuries when they fall. Prepared cat owners should be aware of the problems that can result when a feline takes a tumble. Cats that fall from heights can suffer sprains, broken bones, head trauma, and chest or abdominal injuries.
What should I watch for?
If you see your cat fall, observe her carefully for a couple of days. Some injuries are immediately obvious, while others are not apparent until hours or days after the fall. Even if you do not see your pet take a tumble, you should suspect a fall if you notice any of the following signs:
- Reluctance to stand or walk
- Pain when lying down or rising
- Stiff gait
- Limping
- Difficulty breathing
- Whining
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
What should I do?
Serious injuries from falls need to be immediately evaluated and treated by your veterinarian. However, you can implement a few first aid steps at home as you prepare to take your cat to your veterinary hospital.
Monitor breathing. If your cat is struggling to breathe, immediately go to the nearest emergency hospital. Remember that cats are “nose breathers,” so panting is a sign of respiratory distress. You must be careful transporting a cat with respiratory problems, especially if ribs were broken.
- Support your cat behind the front legs and in front of the back legs and gently place her in a pet carrier (take the top off the carrier and place your cat inside). If you do not have a pet carrier, use a rigid object like a baking sheet as a gurney.
- Cats with broken ribs must stay as still as possible to avoid lung puncture, so do not let her struggle. If she prefers to lie down or sit up, let her do so.
- If your cat stops breathing, ventilate her to keep her oxygen level up. Make a funnel by wrapping your hand(s) around her muzzle. Keeping her mouth closed, blow air into her nose. Proper ventilation should make her chest rise. Give 10 breaths per minute until she starts breathing on her own, or until you have reached the emergency hospital.
Protect open wounds. If the skin was broken during the fall, wrap a clean towel over the area to minimize contamination. It is particularly important to cover a wound that has a broken bone protruding from it. Bone infections can seriously complicate healing. Puncture wounds to the abdomen should also be covered to minimize infection from outside contaminants; however, if the intestines are punctured, infection could start from within. Your veterinarian will assess this problem.
Control bleeding. If the wound is bleeding, wrap the towel tightly around the injured site and apply gentle, firm pressure. If the towel becomes soaked, do not remove it, just put another towel on top of it to avoid disturbing the clot. Most bleeding stops within 5-10 minutes; however, for cats with clotting problems, it may take longer. Excessive bleeding may occur if the spleen or liver was injured, so prompt emergency care is vital.
Look for head injuries. Blood in the eyes, nose, or mouth means possible head injury. Cats will usually swallow blood that pools in the mouth and lick blood that flows from the nose, so there is no need to control the bleeding; just proceed to your veterinary hospital.
Be aware of back injuries. A cat that cannot get up at all could have a back injury and should be kept as still as possible. Gently place your cat on a rigid object like a baking sheet. Cover her with a blanket and seek emergency help.
Monitor your cat for several days. Sometimes, cats appear normal after a fall and will walk around and play, but later they become lethargic and weak or develop difficulty breathing. For that reason, it is important to monitor them closely for several days after a fall. Delayed injuries include collapsed lungs caused by punctures from broken ribs, or hernias that start as small openings and tear open later. Diaphragmatic hernias occur when there is a tear in the wall separating the chest from the abdomen. If abdominal organs (liver, stomach, intestines) move into the chest cavity, breathing is impaired. Hernias may also occur in the abdominal wall, creating pockets that trap the intestines, bladder, or other organs. These delayed problems are emergencies that require prompt attention. Transport your cat with the injured side down as you head to your veterinary hospital.
Monitor eating and elimination. Broken jaws frequently occur when cats fall. Watch your cat eat and drink. If she drops food, yelps when she chews, or drools excessively, have her examined by your veterinarian. Monitor her eliminations. If she does not urinate within 24 hours, or have a normal bowel movement within 48 hours, seek help. Your cat may have ruptured her bladder, or the bladder may be trapped in an abdominal hernia. Lack of normal urination and defecation can be signs of something serious.
How can I prevent my cat from falling?
Cats are natural climbers, so it is not easy to prevent them from jumping on the sofa or counter tops. Cat owners should always be prepared to handle the unexpected.
