Burns in cats

Burns in cats are not uncommon. Our small, sweet, and energetic cats sometimes suffer because of their curiosity. So, it's no surprise that they can get burned by poking their curious nose (or paw) where it shouldn't.

How can an animal get burned?

Besides tragic situations like fires, a cat can suffer burns for simple, common reasons. A pet playing too much can lose control and scald itself on a heating element, or it can easily tip over a pot of soup, a frying pan of oil, and so on. Young cats need to sharpen their teeth, and sometimes they come into contact with live wires, which can result in electric shock and electrical burns. Cats are curious creatures, so try to keep potential sources of burns out of their reach.

Of course, loving owners take every precaution to prevent accidents, but unfortunately, we can't foresee every danger. What should you do if your cat gets burned?

In this article, we won't be discussing burn treatment, but rather first aid, or pre-hospital care. Because in all but the most minor burns, a cat needs to be examined by a veterinarian, who can provide the necessary assistance and recommend subsequent treatment.

Degrees of burns in cats

First-degree burn. The cat has a small area of ​​its body burned. The burn site is swollen, red, and painful. The pet may have a fever.

Second-degree burns are similar in symptoms to first-degree burns, but more severe. Additionally, watery blisters may appear on the affected skin, which will then burst and form scabs. If the burn is severe, the cat will become weak and refuse to eat. Naturally, the animal will experience pain and develop a fever.

Third-degree burns are characterized by wounds covered with charred scabs. After several hours, necrosis begins in the area of ​​the burn. In addition to severe pain, the animal will suffer internal toxicity. A rise in temperature and general malaise are inevitable.

Why are burns dangerous for cats?

Healthy skin acts as a barrier protecting the animal's body from environmental influences. A burned area loses this protective function, increasing the risk of infection through the burn. Furthermore, it:

• pain;
• discomfort;
• disability.

If the burn covers a large area of ​​the body—more than 15%—the prognosis for recovery is poor, and you'll have to fight for your pet. If a cat's burn exceeds 50% of its total body surface, the animal will most likely die.

In addition to skin burns, pets can also burn their mouth (electric shock when chewing through wires) and upper respiratory tract (inhalation of acid vapor or hot smoke). These types of burns not only cause significant discomfort to pets, but are also life-threatening. For example, a burn can cause swelling of the pet's respiratory tract. This can deprive the pet of sufficient oxygen and lead to death.

Thermal burns

Of course, not all of our pets are properly trained, so unpleasant situations can often arise due to their excessive curiosity. Such burns in cats occur from exposure to hot steam, boiling water, hot oil, or direct exposure to an open flame. The kitchen is a particularly dangerous place, as this is where cats most often get burned, determined to snatch a favorite treat no matter what.

Some cats are practically fearless, and no matter how much you chase them, they still reach for a pot of boiling water or a fire. As a result, the cat suffers a severe burn from scorching its fur or spilling a container of hot liquid on itself.

What to do?

How to treat a thermal burn in a cat? Place the burned area under running cold water for 10-15 minutes. Treat the burn with a potassium permanganate solution, then apply a compress (a cloth soaked in cold water), changing it as it dries until you can see a veterinarian.

Burns from electric shock

These burns most often occur when a cat chews on an electrical cord while playing. The consequences of an electric shock in a cat include severe burns and swelling of the larynx and lungs. When administering first aid, turn off the power and remove the cat from the source of the shock. If you don't know how to turn off the power or are unable to do so, use a wooden stick or a broom (not a metal one) to drag the cat away.

If possible, call an ambulance immediately and follow their recommendations. If this is not possible, treat the cat's burns with a weak solution of furacilin or potassium permanganate. Then, wrap the victim in something warm and take her to the vet immediately. Only a vet can prevent or reduce swelling and treat the cat's burns.

Chemical burns

Chemical burns in cats usually occur when acids, concentrated cleaning agents, and alkalis come into contact with mucous membranes and skin.

These are rare, but the most severe types of burns. If a cat has a chemical burn, rinse the affected area with water. Next, it's important to determine the specific substance that burned the cat. This is necessary to neutralize the chemical. If the substance is acidic, it can be neutralized with an alkaline solution (for example, rinse the burn with baking soda and water). Alkaline burns can be neutralized with a vinegar solution. The next step is treatment with an antiseptic (potassium permanganate, furacilin, chlorhexidine). Chemical burns are very painful and will require pain relief. Therefore, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

This type of burn most often affects hairless cats or animals with sparse, short fur. If you notice inflammation of the skin on the tips of the ears, bald spots, and possibly small ulcers, your cat most likely has a radiation or sunburn.

Products like Eplan and Safroderm have proven effective for treating affected areas. They're usually sufficient for treatment, and a visit to the veterinarian isn't necessary. But even such an easy solution doesn't mean you can neglect your hairless cat. A little more sunlight can lead to serious problems.

Eye burns in cats

Burn your eyes A cat could be anywhere. It could be hot steam or a chemical in eye drops. Regardless of the situation, you need to come to the rescue of your pet – rinse eyes Cold water. If the cat refuses to open its eyelids, help it with your fingers, but without applying excessive force.

Burns on cats are usually less noticeable than on humans, so owners can't always objectively assess the extent of the injury and provide appropriate care. This is one of the main reasons why an injured cat needs to be examined by a veterinarian, even if it doesn't appear to be seriously injured. This can save not only the cat's health but also its life..

What will the doctor do?

A veterinarian is knowledgeable in many areas. They know not only what to apply to a cat's paw for a burn, but also which product is best for each specific situation. In fact, their expertise is much broader. For example, a veterinarian is a first aid professional. They are accustomed to removing hair and dead tissue; few cat lovers can do this with such composure, a result of their training.

In addition, the veterinarian can immediately determine the extent of the damage, which makes it possible to immediately begin treatment of the animal.

If a cat has a mouth burn, it may be unable to eat. In this case, the vet will feed the animal through injections or a nasogastric tube.

In addition, in cases of complex burns of the respiratory tract, swelling may require a tracheostomy – an operation in which the doctor makes an opening in the trachea for breathing.

Any questions? You can ask our website's staff veterinarian in the comments below, who will answer them as quickly as possible.

Read also:

• Conjunctivitis in cats
• Burns in dogs
• Why does my cat have pus in his eyes?