The following information may help you decide which conditions are absolute emergencies, and which ones may let you take a "wait and see" attitude. If your cat is sick or injured and you are unsure of the severity of the condition, it is always best to err on the side of caution, and contact your veterinarian (or emergency clinic) right away.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat:
Has Signs of Heart or Respiratory Disease
Signs of heart disease or respiratory distress include no pulse or heart beat, no breathing or severe difficulty breathing, bluish or white gums or tongue, open mouth breathing, rapid breathing or if they have a near-drowning experience.
Has Been Exposed to a Toxin or Has Had Trauma
Signs that your pet has been exposed to a toxin or poison or has experienced some type of physical trauma include:
- A broken bone, or a cut that exposes a bone
- Heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped
- An eye injury, the eye is out of the socket, or appears enlarged or protruding
- A fight, especially if it was with another cat or a wild, or unvaccinated animal
- A wound from a bullet or arrow
- Being hit by a vehicle or other large or fast-moving object
- Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest
- Any trauma to the head
- A bite from a snake, scorpion, or poisonous spider; or has bitten a toad
- Porcupine quills imbedded in the mouth, face or body
- A broken tooth, or the loss of a healthy tooth, including the root (keep the tooth in a small jar of milk)
- A severe laceration, or an incision that has opened and the skin is gaping
- Falling or jumping from an open window, balcony, etc.
- Swelling of the face and/or hives
Has Had Heat or Cold-Related Injuries
Your cat should go to a veterinarian immediately if it has been chewing on an electrical cord and receives a shock or burn, if it is burned or inhales smoke, if it has heat stroke or a fever over 104°F (normal is less than 102.5°F) or if it has frostbite or hypothermia.
Has Signs of Gastrointestinal Distress
Signs of emergency gastrointestinal distress in cats includes:
- Straining continually, but unable to produce feces
- Choking
- Vomiting blood or uncontrolled vomiting
- Swallowing a foreign body (e.g., toy, needle and thread)
- Diarrhea with blood, a foul smell, or that is uncontrolled
- Black, tarry stool
- A protruded rectum or bleeding from the rectum
- An overdose of medication or suspected poisoning
Has Signs of Nervous System or Muscular Disease
This includes extreme lethargy or depression, unconsciousness, collapse, or coma, seizures, severe or continuous pain and a sudden inability to bear weight on one or more limbs. Cats experiencing a nervous system or muscular emergency may also experience a head tilt, nystagmus (eyes move rapidly from side to side), staggering, walking in circles, knuckling over (walking on the top of the foot), unable to use hind limbs, or other problems moving.
Has Signs of Urinary or Reproductive Problems
Signs of urinary or reproductive emergencies in cats include:
- Difficulty giving birth: no kitten after 24 hours of beginning labor; no kitten after 30-60 minutes of active straining; weak or infrequent contractions once labor has started; crying or licking the vulva area excessively; abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge; weakness
- Straining continually, but unable to pass urine, or the urine has blood in it
- A male who is continually licking his genital area (a sign of urinary obstruction)
- Crying while trying to urinate
- Bleeding from the urinary or genital area
Although the following issues may not be classified as an immediate emergency, you should still call your veterinarian the same day if you notice the following issues:
Some difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, or breathing at a faster rate (unassociated with physical exercise or environmental temperature)
Continuous sneezing or coughing
Nasal discharge that is green, white or yellow
Not eating or drinking for 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours and acts depressed
Drinking water excessively, unrelated to activity or environmental temperature
Sudden change in behavior
Crying when touched or picked up
Cloudy eyes, squinting, or appears to be unable to see
Sudden, severe lameness
A retained afterbirth for over 8 hours
A female who is pregnant or nursing her young and develops a red, swollen, or painful breast
A male with swollen testicles or scrotum
A rash, excessive shedding, excessive head shaking, or persistent scratching or chewing at spots on the body
Abnormal lumps or bumps that are painful, red, and/or hot to the touch
Maggots
A nosebleed for no apparent reason, bruising easily, or tiny red dots on the skin
If you ever are in doubt about your cat's health, or if something just doesn't seem right, having them evaluated by a veterinarian is never the wrong thing to do. Please let this guide help you make a decision but if your feel your cat should be seen, contact your veterinarian or ER veterinarian immediately.