My cat has fallen from the balcony, a veterinary emergency

Main injuries in cats after a fall from the balcony

When cats fall from balconies or windows, they often present the same symptoms. Their severity depends largely on the height from which the cat fell.

If your cat falls from the balcony, you should pay close attention to the following symptoms, as they require urgent medical attention:

1. Difficulty breathing: difficulty breathing, with the mouth open, can be the symptom of a pneumothorax or a pulmonary haemorrhage.
2. Blood in the nose or mouth: in the event of a fall, the impact with the ground can cause the roof of the cat's mouth to break, leaving a gap between the nose and the mouth. Bleeding is often associated with this.
3. Limb deformity: leg fractures are common in the event of a fall. Cats recover from falls and land on their feet. The pressure of the fall causes fractures.
4. A state of shock resulting in complaints, hyper-anxiety and intolerance to the slightest stimulation. This psychological state is particularly difficult for you and the vet to manage.

If you notice any of these symptoms, your cat needs immediate veterinary attention. Avoid applying pressure to suspected fractures and try not to move them too much. Just call us 7 days a week at 033 0027 0670.

What should I do if my cat has fallen from the balcony?

If your cat has fallen off a balcony, remain calm and approach them slowly.

They may be scared and hiding after suffering a blow, so give them some time before attempting to coax them towards you.

First and foremost, even if your cat won't let you near it, it's essential that you can assess the extent of the damage from a distance. To make the right decisions, note the following points in particular:

1. Is your cat breathing with its mouth open?
2. Is your cat bleeding from the head (nose, mouth, eyes)?
3. Is your cat mobile, standing on its 4 legs?
4. Is your cat conscious? Does it respond to its name when you call it?

As soon as you've managed to calm and reassure your cat, you can take it home, in a warm and quiet place. This is the best way to minimise your pet's pain:

1. Use a blanket or cardboard to act as a stretcher.
2. Gently slide the cardboard under your cat, moving its limbs as little as possible.
3. Secure your cat by covering it with a cloth or blanket to prevent it from trying to escape.
4. Hold your cat close to your body so that you can react quickly if it becomes agitated.

Contact your vet or the nearest out of hours vets immediately after the fall, describing the situation and requesting guidance before arriving at the practice. Once your cat has returned home, contact us on 033 0027 0670! Our teams will help you to manage the crisis and will arrange for the vet to come to your home.

Why is a fall from the balcony a veterinary emergency?

If your cat has fallen from the balcony or window, this is a real veterinary emergency. Your pet may be life-threatening and you need to act quickly.

Cats with polytrauma need to be assessed quickly to identify the following critical symptoms as soon as possible:

1. Pneumothorax: the presence of air between the pleura, caused by the rupture of pulmonary alveoli.
2. Pulmonary haemorrhage: interstitial bleeding, linked to rupture of small vessels in the lungs
3. Cleft palate: crack in the cat's hard palate, causing communication between the nasal and oral cavities
4. Bladder rupture: the bladder can rupture on impact
5. Abdominal haemorrhage: highly vascular organs such as the liver and spleen can be severely damaged and bleed profusely into the abdomen.
6. Broken limbs : Open fractures of the fore and hind limbs.

All these injuries can be detected by close veterinary examination. Any fall from the balcony requires an emergency consultation.

Veterinary care and treatment recommended in the event of a fall from the balcony

As you now know, you can't avoid an emergency consultation if your dog falls off the balcony or window.

First and foremost, the emergency vet will carry out a meticulous clinical examination, combining careful auscultation of the chest, delicate abdominal palpation and close examination of the head and limbs.

In addition, it may be necessary to carry out the following additional tests:

1. X-rays of the chest and abdomen
2. Abdominal and thoracic ultrasound scans
3. Blood tests: blood count and biochemistry
4. X-rays of the limbs and spine

In the event of shock, your cat may also receive oxygen therapy and be hospitalised for several days.