Sick Cat Symptoms and Remedies
The very sick or badly injured cat should be kept away from all traffic in the home, although it is not necessary to isolate it altogether.In fact, it will probably convalesce much more quickly if it can see familiar people. Therefore, select a corner of the room that is not right in the middle of the family activities. The site should be comfortable,well ventilated (but not draughty) and easily cleaned.
After you have chosen the area for the sick cat, remove rugs or carpets and replace with several thicknesses of newspapers. Windows should be covered to exclude bright light. This is especially important to the cat with photophobia.
The sick bed may be a box with clean litter or a washable blanket.Hang a room thermometer near the cat’s bed, about a foot off the floor and maintain a temperature of from 70 to 72 degrees F, Avoid draughts and dampness.
Equipment
Provide yourself with a work area near the cat. A small table or bench will prove useful. On it you can store all medicines, instruments,food and water dishes, etc. Keep labels on all medicine jars and bottles.If there are small children in the house, it is wise to lock all medicines and sharp instruments in a cabinet or box. All instruments and dishes should be washed and sterilized after use. Use a germicidal detergent(but no phenol) and rinse in boiling water. Also be sure to wash your hands before and after handling the cat.
Daily Record Of Progress
It is up to you to keep the vet informed of the cat’s progress. Use either a simple notebook or a chart for recording the cat’s temperature,dosage of medicines, symptoms and any other information which you think may assist the vet in evaluating the cat’s progress.
Intelligent home nursing under the supervision of a vet is the best means of speeding your cat’s recovery from a serious disease or injury.When your cat is discharged from the hospital you should provide good home care until it is completely well.
Cats can be difficult patients. Their nervousness and tendency to bite and scratch when confronted with an unfamiliar situation often make treatment hazardous, and you must learn how to handle the cat under all kinds of conditions. Always resort to proper restraint, such as placing the cat in a cat bag or wrapping it in a towel, if it is nervous or highly excitable. As you become more proficient in handling the sick or injured cat, home care will be less burdensome.