Bite Wounds
- For many years people thought that cat caught birds died of shock within
48 hours. It is only recently that rehabbers discovered that what they
actually died of was pasteurella septicaemia. 90% of cats carry the pasteurella
multocida bacteria in their saliva so the chances of infection are high
and birds caught by cats will usually succumb to the septicaemia unless
they are treated promptly with antibiotics
- Because birds preen their feathers a cat caught bird can develop an infection
from the pasteurella bacteria without
suffering puncture wounds. The saliva on
its feathers can pass into its system
when it preens and it can develop pasteurellosis
- The birds can die before symptoms of infection
become noticeable, which is why rehabbers will treat birds that are even
suspected of having been caught by a cat immediately with Clavamox (US) or
Synulox (UK)
Treatment:
- Birds that have been caught by hawks or dogs should be
treated as for cat injuries.
- Wounds should be flushed out with sterile saline, obtainable from the chemist
(pharmacist).
- It is best not to let a puncture wound scab over, as this seals infection in. Gentle removal of the scab, flushing with
sterile saline and treating the area with an antibacterial cream will allow the wound to heal from within.