Worried about handling an emergency for your feline friend? Here’s a lifesaving guide every cat parent must know!
— By Dr. Hermant Jain
Cardiac Massage – A Gentle Push for Life
Sometimes your feline friend might suffer from respiratory and heart failure after drowning, getting an electric shock, poisoning, injury, or blood loss. If your pet gets unconscious and you see no signs of breathing, then you must place your fingers on the chest at the point of the elbow and press down gently and firmly. Repeat for 5-6 times at 2-3 second intervals, alternate this with artificial respiration.
Clearing the Airway – Artificial Respiration Made Easy
A cat’s mouth should be opened to ease breathing and clear the airways if any fluid or mucus plug is present. Pull the tongue forward to clear the throat, as this may stimulate the breathing process and help the cat to regain consciousness. Place your hands on the chest to apply pressure on the unconscious cat, as this may expel air from the lungs, allowing them to be refilled with fresh air. Repeat this process every 5 sec until it breathes again.
Mouth-to-Mouth Rescue – A Critical Lifesaving Skill
If the chest area is damaged, then the lungs may not be able to refill with air. In such cases, one should directly blow air into one’s pet’s mouth. Then hold the unconscious cat in an upright position with its mouth closed. Again, breathe in its nostril for two to three seconds to inflate the lungs. Check for chest movement. Pause for 2-3 sec and repeat. Continue this until your pet starts breathing on its own.
From Panic to Protection – Handling Drowning Incidents
Your pet may accidentally fall into the pool or a water bodiy. In such cases, take her out immediately and dry her using a towel. If there are no signs of movement, then hold her upside down by gripping the hind legs firmly above the hock joint, as this helps in draining the water out of the lungs. It can also be done by carefully swinging your pet downwards. If there is no recovery, then start resuscitation.
Handle with Care
If you suspect that your pet has a fracture, handle her very carefully, or else she might bite in pain. Gently lay your pet on a blanket and then pick her up carefully. Make sure to keep the injured leg on the upper side. Avoid twisting or bending of the body. Carefully place your feline friend in a carrier or basket and then take her to the vet.
Protecting Their Future – Why Spaying and Neutering Matter
It’s the removal of the sexual parts of an animal. All the female cats are spayed after attaining 8-10 months of age, which includes the removal of the uterus. All the male cats are castrated after 8 months of age. Castration includes the removal of both testicles. These operations prevent unwanted kittens and prevent any further disease conditions, such as uterine infections including cancer. These also prevent your pet from wandering outside the house which may lead to loss of the pet, accidents, fighting, and injuries. Neutered male cats are much less likely to spray their urine to mark their territory.
The Power of Vaccination
It is a must for all the cats. Vaccination stimulates the immune system to fight against all infectious diseases. Cats should be vaccinated against panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, herpes virus, and rabies. Kittens should be vaccinated at the age of 2 months, and a booster dose of the same should be repeated after 21 days. The third dose of the same vaccine should be given again after 21 days of the first booster. The vaccine for rabies is given at the age of 3 months, and a booster dose is repeated after a month. After completing this protocol yearly pattern must be followed for all the vaccinations.
Complete Protection from Parasites
Cats can be affected by both internal and external parasites. Internal worms such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms spread through eggs passed in feces, and infected mothers can transmit them to their kittens. Worm infestations may cause hair loss, itching, weight loss, anemia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Deworming is recommended monthly until 1 year of age, every two months until 2 years, and quarterly thereafter.
Cats may also be infected by protozoa like Toxoplasma, which can pose a risk to pregnant women, and by heartworms transmitted through mosquito bites, diagnosed via blood tests. External parasites such as fleas, ticks, mange mites, and ear mites can be effectively managed with vet-recommended spot-on treatments.
Take Care of Those Pearly Whites
Every cat needs dental check-up throughout their life. You can keep your pet’s teeth and gums in good condition by feeding cat food and some soft dental chewable sticks. It also helps in the prevention of the accumulation of tartar. Tartar accumulation may cause bleeding in the gums, a bad smell from the mouth, and dental infections. Tartar cleaning can be done by your vet.
Grooming – A Ritual of Love
Grooming should be done regularly in cats with the help of a cat brush only. It should start at an early age. It helps in increasing the blood circulation, removes dirt and dust, and ectoparasites on your pet’s skin. It also helps to remove loose hair from the body. Cats are self-groomers and keep themselves clean by licking their body frequently. Due to this, they often end up ingesting hair and the formation of a hairball inside the stomach. To avoid this, ask your vet for an anti-hairball formula. Often, electric clippers are required for grooming in long-haired cats.
Routine Vet Visits, Lifelong Health
Kittens should be examined by your vet every month until they are 1 year old. After that, quarterly examinations are enough. Senile or old-aged cats, i.e., 8-9 years old requires examination half yearly for any disorders in the kidney, liver, or any other internal organs. In other diseases, blood tests, ultrasonography, X-ray, and fecal examination are recommended.
From Prescription to Protection
It’s very difficult to administer tablet or liquid form of medicines directly to your pet. It’s advisable to feed the oral medicines in cat food, gravy, or mixed with chicken. Do not forcefully administer the medicines orally, as it may end up in the trachea, causing aspiration and even death.
(Dr. Hemant Jain – Veterinary Surgeon M.V.Sc. (Surgery), Nagpur)