911: What to Do If Your Cat Has an Emergency

Like all pets, cats are prone to accidents, injuries, and illnesses. In fact, all pets, for the most part, will have at least one medical emergency in their lifetime. While we don’t want to think that something serious can happen to our beloved cat, there is every reason to be aware and prepared, should the unexpected occur.
Do you know how to recognize a cat emergency? Are you prepared for what to do if your cat has an emergency?
The team at Cat Care of Vinings wants to give our wonderful cat lovers a better understanding of the signs of an emergency and how to quickly respond.
Can You Recognize a Cat Emergency?
Cats are skilled in many areas, from hunting to navigating narrow passages, and so on. They are also, unfortunately, good at masking their pain and injuries. In the wild, injury can signal that they are easy targets for other animals, which is why many pets still carry that instinct to hide their pain. The symptoms may be subtle, which is why it is important to know what to look for.
The following are some common signs that your cat is having a veterinary emergency.
Difficulty Breathing
If your cat is struggling to breathe, this is a definite cause for veterinary attention. Labored breathing or erratic breathing patterns are indicators that your cat isn’t getting enough oxygen. Other signs include coughing, wheezing, noises from the lungs, and other unusual breathing patterns.
Repetitive Vomiting/Diarrhea in Cats
If your pet vomits once, such as a fur ball or a little regurgitated food, it’s likely nothing to worry about. If the vomiting continues, however, along with diarrhea, your pet is in danger of dehydration. They could have eaten something poisonous or have other serious medical issues at play that need to be addressed.
Injury
Any major accident, such as being struck by a car, falling from a great height, having suffered an attack from an animal, or incurring other obvious injury, they need to be examined. Even if your kitty seems normal or unharmed, internal injuries and bleeding could be present. Fractures and head trauma are also cause for immediate attention.
Inappetence in Cats
If your cat hasn’t eaten for 12 hours or more, it’s generally a sign that there is an underlying illness present. This is also true if your cat isn’t drinking water or vomits when they drink or eat.
Gauge your cat’s water and food consumption and make note if there is a marked decrease. Sometimes, when a cat is drinking a lot more water than normal, this can indicate kidney disease or toxicity. So, follow up with us if this is the case.
Lethargy and Collapse
Extreme tiredness to the point of inability to get up or the desire to eat or drink is considered an emergency. This level of fatigue can lead to collapse, coma, and other serious symptoms of a medical emergency.
Paralysis
Paralysis can be sudden or gradual, and can be isolated to one side of the body or the back legs. Paralysis of the hind quarters can indicate a blog clot, which is a life-threatening and painful condition. Any sudden lameness in a pet should be examined right away.
Cat Seizures
Seizures can be caused by certain illnesses as well as ingestion of a poisonous substance. Certain pets also deal with conditions that cause seizures. A seizure is a sudden burst of electrical impulses in the brain which result in a loss of muscle control, changes in behavior, and uncontrolled movement of the body.
Problems Birthing Kittens
If your cat is having trouble during birth, and has not produced a kitten after 20-30 minutes of active labor, this is considered an urgent situation. This is also true when there appears to be a fluid filled sac in the birth canal that remains after ten minutes of straining.
When Your Cat Has an Emergency
If you suspect something is off with your furry loved one, we recommend that you call us. Hiding more, eating less, disruption in sleep, and other changes in their daily life and well-being can be cause for further investigation.
If your cat has an emergency, or if you think they are sick, please call us immediately so we can get them the help they need.
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The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.