GotoAID Cats - Head Injury

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Head Injury

A head injury is usually the result of a sudden impact to the head. Generally your pet will be dizzy or confused and possibly even lose consciousness or have bleeding from the ears and nose. Sometimes there may not be any visible problems. Be sure to consult a vet immediately.

Symptoms

Bleeding	Unconscious
Pain	Swelling
Dizzy	Dazed

Steps

Check ABC’s of life support--Airway, breathing, circulation. Can you see, feel, or hear your pet breathing? If your pet is not breathing, begin artificial breathing immediately.

If your pet is non-responsive and has stopped breathing, be prepared to give artificial respiration by closing your cat’s mouth with one or two hands and gently breathe into your cat’s nostrils.

Administer 10-20 breaths per minute for cats. With each breath, one should see the chest slightly rise. Avoid breathing too hard or over-inflating the chest.

Keep breathing for your cat until he/she is able to breathe on its own or until veterinary help is available.

Check that your cat’s heart is still beating by feeling for the heart on your cat’s chest and/or feeling for your cat’s pulse. (The pulse is easily felt in the femoral artery located on the inside of the thigh.)

If no pulse or heart beat is felt, begin CPR.

Check for bleeding.

Apply a clean cloth or gauze pad to the bleeding wound with firm direct pressure. If blood soaks through the pad, apply another pad over it and apply pressure. Do not remove the pad or cloth underneath it.

Treat and check for signs of shock. (Signs of shock include weakness, pale or grey gums, body temperature changes, & rapid breathing.) Slightly raise your pet’s back end to increase blood flow to the heart. Keep your pet warm with a blanket if cold. If your pet is hot, cool down with cold compresses to the chest and abdomen.

Seek veterinary care immediately.

Warnings

Make sure to keep your cat's head level with her feet unless he vomits, then lower her head to allow fluids to drain and return her back to a level position

DO NOT apply pressure if there are any broken bones or crunching sounds

Tips

Bleeding should stop within 5 min or less

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