Cat Bites and Stings, Choking, Electrocution and Dehydration

Bites and Stings
Your cat loves to catch insets and these often sting it. Pull out the stinger with tweezers or scraping with a credit card, but don’t press it because it will release more venom. Bee and ant stings are acidic, so moisten the area with an alkaline, such as backing soda dissolved in cold water. Wasp stings are alkaline, so treat them with an acidic antidote, like lemon or diluted vinegar. A sting on the mouth or throat can swell quickly, causing asphyxiation, so take the cat to a veterinarian immediately.

Choking
Choking is less common in cats than in dogs, but a sowing needle or bone can get lodged on the palate or get stuck in the throat. A choking cat will panic, so keep it wrapped in a towel. Open the mouth, but don’t lean the head back, because you can make the object slide down further. If you can see the object pull it out with a round tip tweezers. Don’t pull on a thread because it may be attached to an object in the stomach. Seek a veterinarian urgently.

Electrocution
Cut the electricity and pull the plug from the wall before touching an electrocuted cat, otherwise you may also receive an electric shock. If the cat bit an electric cable it may have burn on it’s mouth and tongue. The electric burns may cause shock or the heart to stop. Seek veterinarian attention immediately.

Dehydration
Dehydration is caused when a cat looses body fluids because of a heat stroke, vomit or diarrhea attack, kidney disease or diabetes. Pinch the skin on the back of the cats neck and lift it. When you let go, it should go back to place quickly. If it does so slowly, the cat is dehydrated. Severe dehydration requires immediate attention because it can provoke attacks and the cat may die.

Holding a Cat
A mother cat carries its kitten by grabbing the back part of the neck with their mouth. A reflex makes the front quarters loosen, and the back legs and tail curl to not get in the way. Often times this reflex remain until adulthood, which can be useful if you have to handle a cat in an emergency.

1- Grab it softly but firmly from the back of the neck.

2- It will seem that the cat goes into a trance and it cat be picked up by placing your other hand under its hindquarters. Never pick up a cat without sustaining it’s hips because you can cause muscle damage.