Cat First Aid

Cats do not demonstrate pain. So when they a fracture, disease or any physical alteration, what you will notice is changes of conducts.

If this occurs, you need to do the following: revision.

Review
General inspection: look for any external hemorrhage. Examine the color of the mucous membrane, frequency and quality of breathing, pulse, temperature, state of conscience or of unconscious and strange odors.

Head and neck: Notice if there is inflexibility and / or pain of the neck. Examine the pupils and see if there is response to light, emission of liquids from the nose or ears, color of oral mucous, position of the tongue and teeth. Check carefully its neck to see if there is any local pain, muscular inflexibility, cracks or pops; some ball or hematoma, or if the blood pressure is altered.

Throat and thorax: touch carefully the thorax and look for external injuries. Notice if it shows difficulties to swallow or fracture of ribs and pain. 

Abdomen: look for any external injuries, contractions, pain, general growth, curvature, intestinal noise or vomit. 

Legs and column: determine the color, position and temperature of the cats legs. Feel them to discover any possible fractures. Do the same with the column.

Neurological examination: anxiety and agitation can often coincide with lack of air, internal hemorrhage and pain. Evaluate superficial reflexes, flabbiness or inflexibility of the extremities and / or paralysis. Notice if there is any pain sensation pinching it with the finger the membrane between the fingers. Touch the eye to see if it blinks and touch the anus to see if it contracts. 

Tests

Taking the temperature
This is done with another person and always rectal. Someone will hold the head by the neck without letting it turn so it wont bite; and the other person will hold the tail and put the thermometer to the anal orifice, holding it sideways so it doesn't take the dregs temperature if there were any.

A habitual thermometer of mercury can be used but it would more comfortable and quickly with a digital one (besides, with the mercury thermometer it is not advisable as domestic instruments for the risk of breaking and being in contact with the metal).

The normal temperature of cat is 38.5 degrees up to 39. If it exceeds this temperature, consult the veterinarian. Do not give any medication to lower the fever without consulting the veterinarian because these can be toxic for them. 

Observation of the color of the mucus
It is done by oral mucous or inside the eyelid. Slowly and without scaring it, raise the snout until you can verify the color of the gums. If they are pale or almost white, talk with the veterinarian. This sign, accompanied of other symptoms, from pain to other serious problems. Learn and practice this when the cat is healthy to avoid unnecessary scares. 

The eyelid mucous can be looked at lowering the inferior eyelid softly until you can see the color inside.