Answer: Strictly speaking, a burned is caused by dry heat and a scald by moist heat. But this distinction has no practical value and the first aid treatment for any thermal injury is the same the immediate application of cold water to the area to remove all residual heat from the tissue. If the animal is actually on fire, the flames must be smothered immediately by covering the cat with a blanket, rug, or coat. Then water should be applied as soon as possible for five to ten minutes with a spray attachment or hose, simply poured or sponged on.
Don’t try to apply grease to the burn, to prick any blisters, or try to pull away any burned material (like blanket or collar) which is stuck to the skin. If any such adherent material is part of large mass, the rest can be detached by cutting through it three to four inches away from the skin surface.
All burns and scalds should be examined by a veterinary surgeons unless the total area of skin involved is similar then the palm of your hand swelling of the skin. Even so, if the eye or mouth is involved, or the cat is in a state of shock, veterinary attention is required.
The cat’s skin is normally more tolerant of heat then that of humans. Cats appear to feel no discomfort until a temperature of 126F (52C) is reached, whereas most people dislike prolonged contact with surface hotter then 112F (46C).
Classically, burns are described as first, second or third degree. First degree burns produce only redness, slight swelling and pain. Second degree burns result in blistering with considerably more swelling and pain. Third degree burns are those where the complete thickness of the skin is destroyed, even exposing the underlying tissues; with these severe burns, pain is absent, shock is severe and healing takes a considerable length of time. A major burn is second or third degree burn involving more then 20% of the total body area. Vey extensive burning will usually prove fatal and in survivors extreme scarring will produce disfigurement and often difficulty in eating and walking. If a burn involves more then 50% of the body surface, euthanasia is advisable because the chances of several are slight.
Shock and sepsis are the two major consequence of the burn. First aid treatment for shock is often necessary, otherwise it may lead to other problems such as a failure of kidney function. Burns can go septic because the protective outer layer of the skin has been destroyed, permitting the entry of pus-producing bacteria. For this reason it is essential that burns should be kept clean.
With a mild burn or scald (i.e. involving a small area and showing only slight redness, swelling and pain), it may be sufficient, after bathing in cold water, to clip the hair, wash the area with toilet soap and then to apply an antihistamine cream. The a pad of sterile gauze should be used as a dressing and kept in place with crepe bandage. The area should be redressed each day for one to three days, but if the blister or any pus develops a veterinarian should be consulted.
Quite often hot liquids are splashed onto a cat in the kitchen and the resultant scalds are not detected until, in stroking the cat a day or so later, one or more scabs are left, These may be oozing with summer or pus which is matting the hair. This type of lesion should be referred to your vet, but if some delay is inevitable clean away any pus by washing with mild toile soap, rinsing and dabbing dry. But don’t try to remove the scab.
Skin contact with very clod surfaces produces lesions similar to thermal burns, known as freezer burns, through here cold water treatment is not required. Nor is it needed with electrical burns arising from chewing through a live flex or falling onto an electrical railway conductor rail. Here the important points are to separate the animal from the live surface, after the current has been switch off, and them to apply treatment for shock and if necessary, artificial respiration. If it is difficult cut off the domestic electrically supply, the cat can be pulled away from the live surface after first being covered with a dry coat, blanket or a rug for insulation. However, don’t attempt this with a high voltage supply that is still functioning, (e.g. conductor rail or overhead cable), because you may be electrocuted yourself.
