Severe concussion in the cat: symptoms

Cats are very agile animals, but not always they manage to avoid falls and bruises. Head injuries and severe concussion in the cat are common.

Why is this happening?

The cause of a concussion in a cat in the street can be a fall from a height, getting under the car on the road, an awkward jump from a tree, a man's blow.

Domestic cats get head injuries as a result of falling heavy objects on them or hitting a wall if the animal is frightened or has not had time to brake. Concussion is accompanied by a disorder of cerebral circulation, and sometimes hemorrhage. This process leads to a disturbance (temporary or permanent) of normal brain activity and activity.

First of all you need a call from a veterinarian. An experienced doctor will provide immediate assistance to the animal.

What happens during a head impact?

When the animal is shaken, the work of the central nervous system and the motor apparatus is disrupted for some time. Most often, cats get mild tremors.

As you know, a strong concussion in a cat is the result of damage due to a stroke. If you do not start the proper treatment of a brain injury in time, then it is fraught with the appearance of complications that can develop into chronic diseases that can worsen the health of the pet and limit its motor activity.

Every cat owner should clearly understand that even an insignificant trauma in the head can result in concussion. And the more insignificant the damage, the more difficult it is at home to determine violations in the brain activity.

A cat can behave absolutely adequately, not suffer from a lack of appetite, and also do not give signs of impaired motor functions. However, after a while, such symptoms as convulsions, cardiac dysfunction, behavioral disorders may suddenly appear. This indicates a hidden trauma of the brain.

Therefore, you do not need to wait for any symptoms of a concussion after a stroke - it is necessary to carry a pet to the vet. Moreover, for emergency cases, a 24-hour veterinary clinic works. It is better to let it be a false alarm than the emergence of chronic diseases as a result of untimely initiated treatment or in general the absence of such.

Symptoms of concussion in cats

The most indicative symptom of concussion in cats is a short-term loss of consciousness after getting injured. Loss of consciousness usually occurs for a couple of minutes, but coma may also occur . In this case, there is a pattern: the longer the cat is unconscious, the heavier its condition and consequences.

When a cat comes to consciousness, it can not navigate in space. A rare symptom may be a temporary loss of memory. In this case, the animal may not recognize the host, behave aggressively, hide in secluded corners. Concussion in the cat - it's common, but you can not ignore the condition of the pet.

Strange animal behavior

It is necessary to get an expert consultation promptly if the cat has the following symptoms:

1. Unequal pupils.
2. Absence of pupillary reaction to light stimulus.
3. Fast and unnatural eye movements.
4. A cloudy spot on the pupil, iris shaking, an abnormal appearance of the eye, associated with the displacement of the lens or damage to the ligaments holding it.
5. Bleeding on the head.
6. Too pale or, on the contrary, too reddish mucous membranes.
7. Dizziness (its sign is uncertain and shaky steps).
8. The headache is a sign of it: the animal rests its head on a firm surface and stands motionless.
9. Drowsiness.
10. Attacks of aggression.
11. Involuntary twitching of the paws, facial muscles.
12. Paralysis of the extremities.
13. Short loss of hearing or vision.
14. Difficulty of orientation.
15. Increased heart rate.
16. Intermittent breathing, accompanied by wheezing.

It is necessary to know that the intensity of manifestation of symptoms of concussion in a cat directly depends on the severity of the injury and the area of injury. The mechanism of damage to the brain during a trauma is as follows: the place in which the blow is directly hit suffers, and after that the brain beats against the opposite wall of the skull, also getting injured. With a concussion, the hypothalamus and the stem part of the brain are most vulnerable. Very dangerous is a cerebral hemorrhage. This condition can lead to paralysis of the animal, temporary or permanent, so it is very important to provide assistance as soon as possible. Usually the main symptoms in animals disappear within 2 weeks. In any case, the call of a veterinarian does not interfere.

First aid in case of concussion in the pet

If the cat got hit in the head area and there are suspicions that it has a concussion, then it is necessary to bring it into the room with muted light and lay it down. If the symptoms do not disappear within ten minutes, you should definitely seek the advice of a specialist. In large cities, there is usually a 24-hour veterinary clinic.

In case of loss of consciousness, it is necessary to follow this algorithm:

• Do not try to disinhibite the animal, lay it on its side;
• In case of language slippage, ensure its straightening;
• Apply a dry cold to the injury site;
• Make a cold compress on your head (soak a towel in cold water, fold it several times and put it on the head of an animal);
• If there is an open wound, you need to stop bleeding and apply a bandage;
• If vomiting has begun, make sure that the cat does not choke on the masses;
• In case of cessation of breathing, it is indicated to do indirect heart massage and artificial respiration.

Of the drugs that can be used without consulting a doctor, use the injection of caffeine and camphor. But it is better not to treat the concussion of the cat yourself. Symptoms should make you turn to a specialist.

Cautious actions

It should be remembered that the cat after the injury is in a state of shock and may react hostilely to attempts to provide assistance. Therefore, it is necessary to act as carefully as possible, so as not to worsen the condition of the mustached pet.

If the cat is unconscious, it must be transported, having laid it on its side and straightened its body. In this case, it is strictly not recommended to put the pet in a carry or transport, holding the animal on his hands. For transportation, it is necessary to ensure a flat surface. If you notice a concussion in the cat, what should you do in such a situation? This can tell the vet.

Treatment of concussion in cats, cats and kittens

Special studies in the case of concussion in cats are not particularly effective. X-rays or MRI do not provide comprehensive information about the trauma. Therefore, you should contact a qualified and experienced veterinarian who can, based on clinical data, correctly assess the condition of the cat and make a diagnosis.

The doctor first of all assesses the complexity of the injury and introduces the animal preparations that prevent the development of edema of the brain and support the work of the main vital functions. It should be borne in mind that a strong concussion in a cat can disrupt the habitual way of life of a pet.

Medicamentous treatment consists in the appointment of pain medications, vascular and sedatives. If the condition of the cat is severe, then additionally prescribed drugs that support cardiac and respiratory activity. In the case of nervous or aggressive behavior of the animal, sedatives are prescribed, which should be taken for a long time.

Bed rest

To recover the pet went well and there were no chronic painful disorders in the brain, you need to create conditions for him to rest. Treatment with medicines is effective to the full only when the animal is in a state of complete rest.

A typical severe concussion in a cat is cured within 2-3 weeks provided that the doctor's recommendations are followed.

If the concussion was serious, it is necessary to observe the animal for a further 12 months at the veterinarian. If necessary, he will correct the prescribed course of medications and will monitor how quickly and fully the brain functions are restored. Now you know how to check the concussion of your beloved cat.

Every owner of a cat or kitten should be familiar with the symptoms and first aid rules for concussion. Timely observed symptoms and pre-medical care provided can save the life of a pet. It should be remembered that the behavior of the animal is an indicator of its condition.