Burned feet - not mine!

[triciarob]

We've never had this problem before but then we've not used our Taylors Kero heater since about 2008.

Since we arrived in Hong Kong in late Feb it's been foggy and, for us used to 30-35 degree heat, cold. Very cold. We joyfully put the heater on and were really happy. For two weeks we watched Mouse (our cat), she wasn't bothered by the heater. Then disaster struck, I was laying on the v berth enjoying the heat and she decided to join me, up she jumped and put her little back feet onto the heater. As I moved to grab her she leapt onto the bed shaking her back legs. I checked and two of her little toes looked very pink and sensitive, but Rob wouldn't let me use human burn cream as she would probably lick it off and he said it could be really bad for her.

I checked her feet the next day and they looked ok now, a week later, her little feet are peeling - ALL the pads on one back paw - but she still doesn't seem bothered and was vigorously licking and chewing (bleagh!) the loose skin.

She still isn't bothered by the heater but I am totally paranoid on her behalf.

[Wotname]

Ouch...

[atoll]

probably a bit like a child.......she won't do that again

[Goingbuddha]

I knew a woman who had a young Siamese cat. It jumped on the woodstove several times. Expensive each time. I hope yours is smarter.

[dpddj]

My sister moved into a different house a couple years ago. It had one of those glass top ranges, but not the kind that cools off quickly. Shortly after she removed a hot pan from a burner and she turned to do something else, cat jumped up onto the hod, burning a couple paws quite badly. Cat never did that again.
It sounds like it was brighter than GoingBuddha's Siamese.

[Steve1944]

Originally Posted by triciarob

Rob wouldn't let me use human burn cream as she [the cat] would probably lick it off and he said it could be really bad for her.

I checked her feet the next day and they looked ok now, a week later, her little feet are peeling - ALL the pads on one back paw - but she still doesn't seem bothered and was vigorously licking and chewing (bleagh!) the loose skin.

She still isn't bothered by the heater but I am totally paranoid on her behalf.

You should have used the human cream and wrapped her feet with gauze to shield them from the dirt and the air; and from her eating her burned skin like a two year-old child. Leave them wrapped for a few weeks. She'll be alright.

[belizesailor]

Removing the old burnt skin and keeping the wound clean is exactly the right treatment for a burn. Sounds like she's doing a fine job. ;-) Eating her old skin may gross you out, but is not going to hurt her.

Unless you put a "cone of shame" around her neck for a while she is going to lick the wound and/or pull off whatever dressing you put on it.

If you are worried about infection then flush the wound regularly with a mixture of Hebiclense (surgical scrub) and water or a similar mixture.

Open wounds heal well as long as they are kept clean.

[triciarob]

Thanks for your comments :-)

One of her feet is still a bit sensitive the other one is totally healed. She was really careful around the heater yesterday, so I think she's learned her lesson. but I am keeping a close eye on her whenever it is on.