Removing foreign bodies in feline fellows

Here are some tips on removing foreign bodies in your cat.
Joan Henderson
If your cat has a thorn or stone lodged or embedded in his paw try removing it using tweezers. Bathe any remaining small wound with a suitable antiseptic — one meant for humans may be poisonous to cats, and they may ingest it by licking their paws! When visiting your veterinarian it is a good idea to ask which antiseptic is safe for cats rather than select one yourself. If your cat has been walking on a newly tarred road, scrape off as much tar as you can and then rub the pad gently with butter to remove the rest.
 
Paint on a cat’s coat
Not infrequently, and often through inquisitiveness, cats will get paint on their coats and paws. This should not be treated with paraffin or turpentine as they are poisonous to cats and will harm the animal’s coat and will cause the hair to fall out and the skin to become inflamed. It is much better to cut off as much of the affected fur as possible and allow the paint marks to grow out. Washing the area with gentle soap suitable for cats also helps to remove any paint that may have seeped into the skin. As I have stated many times the wisest thing to do is to keep your cat indoors for their safety and well being.
(Joan E.Henderson is all-breed international judge based in Melbourne, Australia. She has judged furry felines in many other countries including the US, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand.)