Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Symptoms of a Broken Shoulder
• Part 2 of 4: Bandage the wound immediately after the accident
• Part 3 of 4: Helping Your Cat Recover from Damage
• Part 4 of 4: Give Your Pet Pain Relief
• Tips

A broken shoulder is a serious injury that requires immediate attention. If your cat is involved in an accident and you suspect that it has a broken shoulder, then this article will tell you how to provide first aid before going to the vet and how to care for your cat after the shoulder has been healed.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Symptoms of a Broken Shoulder

1. 1 Look for signs of lameness. When the cat is sitting, standing or walking, it transfers its weight to the front legs. If the shoulder is broken, the cat will limp severely, as it will rest on its paws with all its weight.
   • She will also try to bend the injured paw.
2. 2 Assess the appearance of the paw. The cat will try to straighten its paw to its usual position, but it will be knocked down. A broken leg will look longer than a healthy leg. If the bones were broken during the accident, then the leg will be at a strange angle.
   • The cat can also drag its foot along the ground.
3. 3 Look for abrasions and bruises. During an injury, abrasions, areas with damaged hair, or cuts in the shoulder area may occur.
   • A couple of hours after the accident, the injured area may begin to swell and bruise forms.
4. 4 Some injuries may resemble a fractured shoulder. The most common fracture-like injury is a bite. It can lead to lameness, tissue swelling, and bleeding.
   • First of all, check the damage site for bites.
   • If you find a bite site, rinse it with salt water and disinfect it before applying a bandage. Take your cat to the vet.

Part 2 of 4: Bandage the wound immediately after the accident

1. 1 Bandage the fracture with a clean bandage if you see protruding bones. That fracture is very serious. Place a sterile bandage over the exposed end of the bone to protect your body from infections. Any dressing can be used as long as it covers the entire area and is sterile.
   • Take your cat to the vet immediately. The bone and wound will need to be sterilized, surgically removed, and sutured.
2. 2 It is necessary to put a supportive garter on the broken shoulder. If there are no protruding bones, then a supporting garter should be applied before taking her to the veterinarian. It is necessary to immobilize the joint above and below the fracture so that the cat does not injure itself. Here's what to do:
   • Take an elastic bandage or medical tape. It is necessary to put something soft under the bandage (to make the cat more comfortable).
   • An elastic bandage should wrap tightly, but not crush. Hold one end of the bandage and wrap it around your leg.
   • Repeat until you completely cover the affected area. Repeat this process from one end of the paw to the shoulder and back.
   • The density of the overlap should be such that you can insert one finger under the bandage. Secure the free end of the bandage to keep it from dangling.
3. 3 Do not bandage your shoulder if your cat is actively resisting. Bandaging forcibly can do more harm than good. You can even make the fracture worse. So it is best not to bandage the shoulder unless the cat actively wants to.
4. 4 Limit your cat to a small space until you can take him to the vet. The cat should not run or walk while its paw is broken. This can make the situation worse.
   • If possible, place her in a cage and bring her to the vet as soon as possible.

Part 3 of 4: Helping Your Cat Recover from Damage

1. 1 Being in a cage is very important. You restrict the cat in a small area, and he cannot walk and jump, and therefore more damage to his paw. Bones in cats take about 8 weeks to heal, but this period varies depending on the age of your pet. Some people simply put their cat in a crate and wait for it to recover. However, you should first take her to the vet and then use the cage as a place to rest and recover.
   • Most cats should be kept in a cage for about two months.
2. 2 You need to buy a suitable cage. The cage should be large enough: 7-10 cm in height and 7-10 cm longer than the length of the cat when it is extended. These dimensions will be the most comfortable for the cat. If the cage is too large and the cat can move around it, then it is pointless to lock it.
   • There should be some extra space in the cage for the tray and bowls of food and water.
3. 3 Be careful when removing the cat from the cage. You may think that you put her in jail, but this procedure is necessary for a full recovery. If you release the cat, then make sure that she does not walk. Just take her on your knees, stroke her, or give her some toys (play again - on your knees).
   • To keep your cat entertained, take her favorite toys and place them in the crate.
4. 4 Change your cat's diet while she is in the cage. Nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D are essential for the bone healing process. Make sure your cat's diet contains the necessary elements. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the amount of food that you give your pet, as he will not move and will burn fewer calories. If you feed as much as before it will lead to excess weight gain.
   • There are special foods that are designed for such occasions.

Part 4 of 4: Give Your Pet Pain Relief

1. 1 Most pain relievers for humans are not safe for your pet. Your cat will need pain relievers, but you shouldn't give your cat your medication. But, of course, your veterinarian can prescribe pills for your pet. These drugs are described below.
2. 2 Meloxicam. It belongs to the family of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Meloxicam inhibits COX-2, which causes a prostaglandin surge. Prostaglandin promotes inflammation and pain, so suppressing it will make your cat feel better.
   • Dose: 0.05 mg / kg every day. The drug is usually sold in milliliters (0.5 mg / ml). A cat weighing 1 kg will need 1 ml of meloxicam.
3. 3 Make sure your pet drinks enough before giving meloxicam. It should only be given to well-hydrated animals because it can cause kidney problems in dehydrated animals.
   • The drug should be given with or after meals.
   • If your cat is already taking meloxicam, do not give any other NSAID medication.
4. 4 Tramadol. The disadvantage is that the smallest capsule is 10 mg. This is normal for a 5 kg cat (2 mg / kg), but in lighter cats this dosage can make cats drowsy or even pass out.

Tips

• Any injury is painful. The pain can cause even the calmest animal to lash out, so when treating the injury, be prepared to stop immediately if the pet gets overly agitated.
• Even after 8 weeks, keep your cat outside. After being kept in a cage, she needs to recuperate. Let her live at home for a couple of weeks.
• When the cat is fully recovered, observe the cat so that the condition does not worsen again.