GotoAID Cats - Fishhook Injury

First Aid Index

People

Cats

Dogs


Search
GotoAID does not provide any medical advice or treatment, it is solely for informational purposes only

Respiratory

Emergency

Bites/Stings

Cuts/Wounds

Breaks & Sprains

Poisons

Burns

Medical Problems

Fishhook Injury

Because fishhooks are used for bait and thus smell like bait they are very attractive to your pet. While playing with the hook and string it is easy for your pet to have the hook get caught on their body or in their mouth. If swallowed they can cause serious injury and will have to be surgically removed.

Symptoms

Limping	Pawing at Mouth
Pain	Vomiting
Hook into Body	Bleeding

Steps

Gently restrain your cat by wrapping it in a towel.

If the barb of the hook has passed all the way through the flesh so you can see it use a pair of wire cutters to clip it off close to the skin.

You may then gently back the hook out.

If the barb has passed all the way through, use pliers to grasp the shaft and then push the barb through the skin remembering it's curved so push in the direction of the hook.

Once you can see the barb, cut it off with the wire cutters and remove it as close to the skin. Then gently back the hook out.

Swab the site of hook penetration with an antiseptic cleanser such as dilute iodine (3 parts water and 1 part iodine).

Seek a veterinarian to make sure there is no infection.

Warnings

If you believe your pet has swallowed a hook or it is in the mouth or eye take your pet to the vet.

If the hook is embedded too deeply take her to the vet and have the vet remove the hook

Tips

Most mouth wounds will heal quickly without further action

If there is a foot wound clean it a couple of times a day with gauze pads and Betadine Skin Cleanser until it heals

READ THIS

Suggestions

FEEDBACK

BOOKMARK US