I accidentally cut the quick of my cat's nails, and it hasn't stopped bleeding yet (it's been an hour).

Question

What do I do? I have never had a problem cutting his nails before, (although he can be a little best at times), but a loud noise scared him and made my hand slip. :-(

I called the emergency vet, and they suggested to put some flour or cornstarch on it. Any other suggestions? We have him confined to the bathroom floor with an old towel to lay on so he doensn't bleed all over the rest of the house. I have used compression on his wound, but the blood doesn't seem to stop. It's not like he's bleeding to death, but he definitely needs some help to have the bleeding stop.

I hope he will be okay....I feel so terrible. Any advice?

Wow everyone, thanks for your answers and concern! His blood is now just spotting on the towel, no squirting or anything else like that. We tried the cornstarch, it seems to be helping. If it doesn't get any better, it looks like it is a trip to the ER Vet for us....

Also, I believe keeping cats inside is much more responsible than keeping them outside (this is directed to the moron who made that smart-*** remark.)

I'm going back to hang out with him in the bathroom to keep an eye on him. Poor baby.

Thanks again!!!!

Answer 1

Try not to feel bad, it happens to the best of us.
Tell me about the bleeding. Is it steady? Pulsing? Spotting when he walks? A few drops on the towels?
If it is steady or pulsing, after all this time, you need to go to the vet to cauterize it. You also need to have blood work done. Maybe the cat has a clotting disorder (or other sickness) you need to get a diagnosis on.
If it is spotting or a few drops in the towels. Put baking soda on it. When you are putting any of those powders you were recommended (and all of them will work), you have to pack them into where the blood is coming from. You don't put it on like an ointment. You gotta push firmly so the powder puts pressure into the hole, while it soaks up the blood.
Keep in mind that everytime you fuss with it it breaks the clotting cycle and causes more bleeding. So unless it is still a lot of blood like I said above, try leaving it alone for a half hour. And don't let him walk.
Good Luck

EDIT
Don't put on any sort of tourniquet. You will do more harm than good, unless you are trained in using them.

Answer 2

You hit the quick, thats like when your nail breaks below the white part. The vet was right about the flour and cornstarch, you can also use a bar of soap. Put some flour in a shallow dish and dip his paw in it a few times. That should stop it. If not, you must see a vet. An hour is a very long time for him to continue bleeding. Most times a nail is quicked it should stop bleeding on it's own in approx. 5 minutes.

Answer 3

call the emergency vet again...tell them that you've tried what they suggested and it's not slowing down....tell them that you feel that it's urgent for your cat to be seen. that way, it will put your mind at ease if there is a professional at least looking at it (even if there's not too much that can be done. sometimes certain parts on animals can't be stitched or anything, they just have to heal on their own) and they are better equiped to deal with stuff like that. i'm sure you feel terrible for it. good luck and i hope that they can help your kitty feel better.
most cats will shed their nails on their own without any trimming, but if you really want to do it yourself (i wouldn't but mine are just evil sometimes) then try wrapping him up in a towel or blanket that way you have more control over him. :)

Answer 4

good God, if it is still bleeding ALOT...go to an emergency vet. Look one up and go. If it's a small amount and the cat is acting fine....burn a candle and get a few drops of wax, let it cool to the touch, that is real important..DO not use it hot or warm...take the COOL wax.....and then press it into the area. It will pact the area and stop bleeding. remember, COOL pliable wax. They use a similar product in surgery for bleeding bone, it works well. hope it works for you

Answer 5

Styptic is the best, but the flour or cornstarch should work. If you are truly worried, take him to the emergency vet.

Answer 6

Yes flour or cornstarch like your vet said. Why haven't you done this yet instead of asking all of us idiots on Yahoo Answers?

Answer 7

I don't no where you live but I am responding to the warm person who said pets should be outside where they belong. Personally, I think keeping a cat inside is responsible as I have had to clean up my share of cat poop in my own garden.also in certain parts of Canada, it is the law that cats should be kept inside.

Answer 8

It should stop. There is nothing the vet can do. just do what the vet said. And you should probably give the poor thing some treats.

Answer 9

yeah, defn. flour or cornstarch like the vet said, its the best to that special powder that vets have. if it gets serious take him to the kitty ER

Answer 10

Call the vet again and tell them it has been over an hour and tell them that it will not stop. Maybe they will have some other ideas. I hope that he will be ok!