My cat's rib is broken, no vet available. What first aid can I give?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Eevee! How do you know her leg is broken? Sadly cats are special, unique creatures that can not metabolize human medications like we can or even dogs (some medications). They are missing an enzyme needed to break down drugs like aspirin, Tylenol and advil. Giving them those drugs will cause them to become very sick and even die. There is no safe drug you can give Eevee that will not cause more harm than good. She needs to see a vet to be diagnosed with the fracture and be prescribed medications for pain that is safe to give a cat (onsior, buprenorphine or gabapentin). She needs to be crated in a large dog crate for 6-8 weeks for the fracture to heal. Letting her walk around and go outside will not allow for healing if her leg is broken. At a minimum confine her and see how she heals. Cats are amazing in that way. Good luck!

Poor Blue! Symptoms of a broken rib would include fast or labored breathing, and crying or acting painful when her chest is touched. In some cases, you may even be able to feel a fracture by running your fingers over her rib cage. If she was stepped on, she could also have other internal injuries such as damage to her liver, kidneys, or spleen, bruising of the lungs, or internal bleeding. If she is acting painful or lethargic, I would definitely recommend having her examined by a vet as soon as possible - she may need x-rays to help determine the problem and find out what can be done to help her.

I am so sorry to hear Princess is in pain! Bones take 6-8 weeks to heal if they don’t move at all- like in a cast or splint. You cannot speed up healing. Without a cast or splint the bones will move and delay healing and keep her in constant pain. She also needs pain medication daily for the breaks. If you cannot afford the proper treatment, I would contact rescue groups to take over her care. I hope you can find her some relief soon. Kisses to Princess!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kitty! Sadly all you can do at home is rest him (not running, jumping, keep indoors). Cats can not tolerate human pain medications (deadly to cats). Sometimes rest alone can really help a strain or sprain. You can start feline Dasuquin or Cosequin which is a joint supplement for arthritis. It is best to have Kitty evaluated by a Vet as soon as you are able. There are approved pain medications for cats but they are prescription only. Possible causes are: infection or abscess (especially if he goes outside), arthritis, strain or sprain, fracture, immune joint disease, cancer. I wish Kitty a speedy recovery!

I am so sorry Mazzy isn't feeling well. There is nothing over the counter that you can give her- she is too small and nothing is safe for cats. There is also limited medications in veterinary medicine for cats. I would recommend keeping her confined with her litter box and food in a small crate or bathroom, so she doesn't re-injure herself. She does need to see a vet to rule out a fracture or dislocation. They will be able to prescribe something safe for pain for her. Good luck and kisses to Mazzy!

You can't splint a conscious cat, he must be put under general anesthesia for that. in most cases splints in cats are not successful, broken legs usually need to be repaired surgically. the only thing you can do until you bring him to the vet is putting him in a confined cage to limit his movement and prevent him from making the damage worse.

There are no medications that you can use at home, as most human medications are toxic to cat. Others are not really pain relief medications and would not even touch the pain cause by a fracture. I would therefore recommend to see a vet so that the fracture can be confirmed and the best way forward found. Hope this helps ! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.