Here Are 10 Common Cat Emergencies That Need Immediate Vet Attention

• 01

  Difficulty Breathing

  
  via wagwalking

  This is the most urgent emergency any individual — cat, dog or human— can face. Death occurs after three minutes without breathing, so cats with breathing difficulties are on the edge of disaster. Breathing problems in cats can be hard to recognize at first. Symptoms to watch out for are heaving sides, breathing with the mouth open, coughing, wheezing, abnormal respiratory noises, and the catch-all appearance of "breathing funny."

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• 02

  Abnormal urination in male cats

  
  via PetMd

  This has the potential to be a symptom of one of the most serious cat emergencies any feline faces: urinary obstruction. This condition, which is fatal if not treated, occurs when cats are unable to urinate. For anatomical reasons, it occurs almost exclusively in males. Cats with the condition suffer agonizing pain, and then rapid progression to kidney failure, potentially bladder rupture, and high blood-potassium levels that cause cardiac arrest. Initial symptoms may be subtle: Affected cats may urinate outside the litter box, strain but produce only small quantities of urine, vocalize, or groom their genitals excessively. Therefore, any male cat with any urinary irregularity whatsoever should be checked by a vet immediately. Be aware that female cats with urinary irregularities should also  see the vet. They are not likely to die from the problem, but they are likely to be suffering from discomfort that warrants treatment.

• 03

  Signs of severe pain or obvious distress

  
  via PetMD

  Bring your kitty to an emergency vet immediately if you notice this one. Pain itself always warrants treatment, but it also can be a sign of more serious problems such as urinary obstruction (see above) or aortic thromboembolism (see below). Symptoms of pain and distress include vocalizing (howling), panting, hiding and overreacting to contact with a painful area.

• 04

  Sudden paralysis of the hind end

  
  via PetMD

  While we're on the subject of pain, this is one of the most truly painful cat emergencies: aortic thromboembolism, or ATE. ATE is a complication of heart disease in cats in which a blood clot lodges in the rear (usually) legs. It causes sudden paralysis of the hind end. Affected cats usually will pant, vocalize and show other signs of distress. It requires immediate veterinary attention.

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• 05

  Stop Eating And/ Or Drinking

  
  via appreciategoods

  A cat who won't eat often means serious trouble. It is not normal for any individual to go a full day without eating when food is available, and not eating can be a symptom (kidney failure, complications of diabetes and intestinal obstruction) and a cause of (fatty liver) major health problems.

• 06

  Protracted vomiting and/or diarrhea

  
  via Healthy pets

  This is among the cat emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention, especially when blood is present. Almost all cats occasionally yak or have soft stools, and such incidents usually aren't emergencies. But cats who vomit repeatedly or have blowout diarrhea should see the vet immediately.

• 07

  Known ingestion of toxins

  
  via Pet premium

  Ingestion of toxics such as lily or antifreeze should be treated immediately. Rapid action can dramatically improve outcomes in many different types of toxicities.

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• 08

  Profound lethargy or collapse

  
  via Love to know

  This is among the cat emergencies that should trigger an urgent trip to the vet. Profound lethargy often manifests as "not moving," hiding in one room for a protracted period, and not reacting to stimuli (such as the can opener or the dog) in a normal fashion.

• 09

  Seizure

  
  via Tree Hugger

  Although a solitary seizure is not likely to be life threatening, owners should be aware that seizures often come in clusters that get worse over the course of several hours. They also can be a symptom of exposure to toxins such as mold or low-quality flea control products. Cats who suffer a seizure should go straight to the vet.

• 10

  Major trauma

  
  via PetMD

  This should always trigger a veterinary visit. Owners of cats with gaping wounds or massive hemorrhage usually know this intuitively. However, sometimes cats who have fallen from height, been hit by cars, struck by garage doors or attacked by large dogs can have major internal injuries yet appear unharmed after the incident. Any time you are aware of such an occurrence, your cat should be checked out.

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