Whether your cat’s behavior starts to change, or you notice a small surface wound, a trip to the vet is the only way to ensure proper treatment. There are veterinarian locations open 24/7, as well as some vet hotlines that can guide you through the treatment of your cat’s ailment. However, many wounds can be treated straight from home. Always have a first aid kit for your animal available.

1.    First, where medical gloves. You do not want to run the risk of further infecting your cat’s wound, or even   infecting yourself in the process.
2.    Wait for your cat’s wound to dry. If it is bleeding, apply pressure with a bandage or towel for 2-5 minutes, or until the bleeding has stopped.
3.    Make sure you clean the area before a scab forms to prevent infection. Soaking the wound in warm water and hydrogen peroxide will help dissolve the scab if it has begun to form already. If the scab is days old, do not remove it, as it has already begun healing.
4.    Trim the hair around the wound to make cleaning easier. Use grooming clippers or a small set of scissors to gently trim the hair. Be extra careful not to further harm your pet. The area may be more sensitive than usual and your pet may feel a greater amount of pain.
5.    After all this has been done, rinse the wound in a mixture of water and hibitane solution. Use a needle-less syringe and thoroughly rinse the area several times.
6.    Bandage your animal’s wound for the first 2-3 days. Keep it covered with sterilized bandages, and keep your cat indoors until the wound heals.

If the wound does not heal, take your cat to the vet. Antibiotics may be needed to ensure a speedy recovery.

Good Luck!