5 Cat Issues That Require Urgent Veterinary Care.
As an emergency veterinarian, I am responsible for providing care for a number of severely ill animals. And in addition to that, I have conversations with certain people who are ashamed of owning cats.
They are left wondering if maybe their cats would not have been so ill if they had been able to spot the signs of a growing disease earlier on.
Although some cat crises appear out of nowhere and are everything from subtle, it is a fact that the majority of cat emergencies begin with symptoms that aren’t particularly clear.
It is without a doubt true that prompt detection of even relatively minor situations with cats will increase the chances of a positive result. Cats don’t come with warning labels, and a person who doesn’t know the symptoms can’t be expected to notice them if they aren’t aware of them in the first place.
However, owners should not feel guilty if they fail to detect these nuances (and, by definition, subtle symptoms are hard to recognize). For example, I was a cat owner for 25 years, during which time I had both female and male cats.
During that time, I was unaware that any urine irregularity in a male cat may constitute a medical emergency.
Here are some helpful clues for identifying whether or not your cat is experiencing an emergency that requires immediate treatment from your veterinarian.
The purpose of the following list is to assist you in recognizing crises involving cats that always necessitate an emergency visit to the veterinarian.
Nevertheless, it is not thorough, and it is possible that you may find yourself in a perplexing circumstance that is not on the list. In the event that you find yourself in such a scenario and questioning whether or not it is necessary to change out of your pajamas and rush your cat to the emergency vet, there are some rules that you may refer to.
The color of the gums is a helpful predictor of the overall health of a cat. Raise the lip of your cat and examine his gums at this time. They should have a pink color and a wet appearance. If you stare at them on a consistent basis, you will get an idea of what their typical appearance is like.
If the gums on your cat are pale, gray, blue, or bright red, then your cat is most definitely in danger, especially if you already have a suspicion that your cat is unwell (although you should be aware that your cat might still be in trouble even if the gums are their normal pink color).
It is important to keep in mind that you are always free to phone your cat’s veterinarian or the emergency clinic near your home in order to discuss any unclear scenario. The personnel needs to be able to provide direction in this matter.
In conclusion, keep in mind that if you are unsure about anything, it is always best to have a veterinarian examine your cat. A physical checkup that turns up negative results does not do any damage; on the other hand, doing nothing to address a serious problem might result in fatalities.
Now that we get that out of the way, here are some of the most typical and dangerous cat emergencies:
Abnormal urinating in male cats
This has the potential to be an indication of urinary blockage, which is one of the most dangerous medical situations that any feline might experience. Cats who are unable to urinate due to this ailment may eventually pass away if they do not get treatment.
Because of the way the anatomy is structured, it nearly never happens in females.
Cats who are affected by this syndrome experience excruciating agony, followed by a quick development to renal failure, the possibility of bladder rupture, and high blood-potassium levels that lead to cardiac arrest. Initial signs may be difficult to detect.
Affected cats may pee outside of the litter box, strain but produce only little volumes of urine, vocalize excessively, or compulsively brush their genitals.
Therefore, any male cat exhibiting any kind of urine abnormality whatsoever should be checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Be advised that female cats who are experiencing urinary problems should also see the veterinarian.
They are not expected to pass away as a direct result of the issue; rather, it is probable that they will be in a state of pain that requires care.
Indications of extreme discomfort or apparent anguish
If you discover this one, you need to take your cat to an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible.
Pain is a symptom that should always be treated, but it may also be an indicator of more severe conditions such as urinary obstruction (see the previous sentence for more information) or aortic thromboembolism (see below).
Pain and suffering may manifest themselves in a number of different ways, including vocalization (howling), panting, hiding, and responding to touch with a region that hurts.
Acute and complete paralysis of the rear end
Aortic thromboembolism, or ATE, is one of the most profoundly unpleasant emergency situations that may occur in a cat. While we are on the topic of pain, this emergency situation is one of the most common.
Cats may develop a condition known as ATE, which is a consequence of heart disease in which a blood clot becomes lodged in the back legs. It results in abrupt paralysis of the lower back and legs.
Cats that are affected by the condition will often display indications of discomfort such as panting, vocalization, and other behaviors. Urgent medical assistance from a veterinarian is required.
Putting an end to your eating and/or drinking
When a cat refuses to eat, it usually indicates a major problem. When there is food available, it is not usual for any person to spend a whole day without eating. Not eating may be both a symptom (kidney failure, complications of diabetes, and intestinal blockage) and a cause (fatty liver) of serious health issues.
Persistent bouts of throwing up and/or diarrhea
This is one of the cat emergencies that need rapid care from a veterinarian, particularly when there is blood present in the area. Nearly every cat may vomit or have loose feces at some point in their lives, but these problems almost never need immediate medical attention.
On the other hand, cat owners should not delay in taking their pet to the veterinarian if it is throwing up often or experiencing severe diarrhea.
Difficulty in taking deep breaths
This is the most serious emergency that any living creature, whether a cat, a dog, or a person, may experience.
The human body can only survive without oxygen for three minutes, which means that cats that struggle to breathe are dangerously close to passing out.
It’s not always easy to see the signs of breathing difficulties in cats at first. Warning signs include sides that are heaving, breathing with the mouth open, coughing, wheezing, irregular respiratory sounds, and the look of “breathing funny,” which may refer to a number of other conditions.
Seizure
It is important for owners to be aware that seizures often occur in clusters and tend to develop worse over the course of many hours, even though a single seizure is unlikely to pose a life-threatening risk on its own.
In addition, they may be a sign that the individual has been exposed to toxins, such as mold or flea control treatments of poor quality. When a cat has a seizure, they should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Major trauma
A trip to the veterinarian is absolutely necessary at this point. In most cases, owners of cats that have major bleeding or open wounds have a natural understanding of this fact.
However, it is possible for cats who have suffered serious internal injuries to look unhurt after the occurrence, even if the cat has fallen from a great height, been hit by a vehicle, been injured by a garage door, or been attacked by a big dog. If you become aware of an event of this kind, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Conflicts with cats from other households
It is best to take felines to the veterinarian as soon as possible after they have been involved in a fight with another cat. When identified in their early stages, wounds caused by cat fights are very simple to treat with medicines. If treatment is delayed, an abscess may form, which would then need surgery under anesthesia.
It is important for people who own cats to keep in mind that the aforementioned list is not comprehensive; it is not feasible to describe (or even envision) all of the potential crises that might occur with cats.
I want to emphasize once again how important it is for you to get in touch with a veterinarian or see one in person if you have any concerns about your pet’s health.
