Bleeding or Haemorrhage
External bleeding is dangerous only I a large blood vessel is involved, particularly if this is an artery when the amount lost can quickly become life-threatening. An attempt must be made to stop profuse bleeding from a vein or artery by applying a pressure bandage. This is a thick pad of any suitable absorbent material, ideally the sterile, nonstick dressings that can be purchased from a chemist. In an emergency any clean material can be used-handkerchiefs, strips of towel, tea towel, cotton wool pads, etc. Hold the pad firmly on the site and secure it, ideally using a gauze or crepe bandage but a tie, scarf or strip of material can be used in an emergency. If it becomes soaked with blood, repeat without removing the first bandage but secure more tightly the second time.
The pressure exerted must be great enough to encourage clotting and the cessation of bleeding but not so tight as to cut off the blood circulation to other tissues. If it is clear that the pressure bandage is not working, then direct pressure on the artery supplying the wound can be attempted to stem the flow. The main pressure points are illustrated in the diagram. If serious arterial bleeding is occurring from a wound in the limb and this has not stopped with a pressure bandage, a tourniquet can alternatively be applied. A handkerchief, tie or strip of material is wrapped and tied tightly above the point of bleeding (nearest the body) and, if necessary, a pencil or other suitable instrument is slipped between the layers and rotated to exert greater pressure. A tourniquet should not be left in place for more than ten minutes, and this, and direct pressure on an artery, should only be used as a last resort to save the cat's life.
A cat's ears are quite liable to injury and tend to bleed profusely. If the flap of the ear is bleeding, a clean, absorbent pad should be placed on either side and pressure applied with the fingers for some minutes. With the pads still in place, the injured ear should be laid flat across the head and secured firmly with a crepe bandage, if one is available. This should be wrapped around the head and throat, taking care not to tighten it up too much as this may restrict the cat's breathing. The uninjured ear should be left free, and this helps to prevent the bandage from slipping. If bleeding is coming from within the ear, the opening should be plugged with a suitably sized clean pad before bandaging.
If bleeding is from a wound on the tongue or any part of the mouth, it is difficult to apply direct pressure with a conscious cat because of the risk of being bitten. The head should be kept low so that blood flows downwards and outwards to minimize the risk of choking. Depending upon the site of the wound, it may be possible to pinch the skin externally and apply pressure in that way.
If blood is coming from the nose no attempt should be made to cover the nostrils as, again, there is a risk of choking. A pad soaked in cold water and then wrung out should be placed over the bridge of the nose in an attempt to stop the bleeding. It may be the case, however, that the bleeding is caused by some internal injury, in which case this measure is not likely to help. Bleeding from the eye should be treated in a similar way. A clean pad, soaked in cold water and then wrung out, should be gently held over the eye while the cat is being restrained.
It is not uncommon for a cat to cut or break a claw, and this may bleed profusely. The wound should be covered with a clean dressing and the paw bandaged. No attempt should be made to remove the broken claw, and the cat should be taken to a veterinary surgeon.
Internal bleeding usually results from a severe blow to the body or head. It most commonly occurs as a result of a road traffic accident but may be caused by a fall from a height onto a hard surface. Internal bleeding is very serious as, unless it quickly stops, the cat is likely to pass into shock. In some cases, there may be some issue of blood from the mouth, nose and ears or it may be present in vomit, urine or faeces. The cat should be laid on its side with its head and neck extended, and a pillow or folded coat placed under the rear quarters and hind legs. It should be covered with a blanket and taken to a veterinary clinic without delay.