Signs to Take Your Cat To The Veterinarian

By Deb Haines

Besides your pet’s annual exam, there are times your cat may be sick or acting strangely. If you are wondering “should I take my cat to the vet. Let’s go over some signs that you should seek veterinary care.

Emergency Seek A Veterinarian

*Difficulty breathing (like open-mouth breathing, panting, or a respiratory rate over fifty breaths/minute [hint: count the number of breaths in fifteen seconds and multiple by four to get the total breaths per minute])

Note ... If your cat is struggling to breathe in any way, head to the emergency vet. Particularly look for a changes in tongue color (pale or blue tinged) or gum color (pale or blue tinged).

*Hiding (under the bed, in the closet)
*Not moving

Note … If your cat suddenly collapses, or if he/she has gone to sleep and you can’t get him to wake up, then they need to see an emergency vet immediately.

*Straining or making multiple trips to the litter box
*Excessive grooming “back there” with the penis sticking out (seriously – this is really dangerous and is typically a feline urethral obstruction or urinary blockage, which I’ll talk about in a future blog)
*Lack of urine in the litter box for more than 36 hours

Note … Cats who try to urinate and can’t produce urine or cry in pain when they go to the litterbox need to get to the vet quickly, as this can be a life threatening emergency.

*Painful when picking up
*Profuse vomiting (more than 2-3 times in a night)
*Excessive drooling
*Sitting over Seizure or twitching

Note Seizures are quite dangerous in cats and should be considered an emergency.

*Any kind of trauma

Note … Hit by car …Even if your cat looks okay, it is still important to get your cat checked out by a vet. Your vet will be able to assess if any internal injuries have been sustained. Injuries can include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, pulmonary contusions and internal bleeding.

Note … Humans may inadvertently cause trauma when they step on a small cat or kitten. This is very common. Head trauma, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, pulmonary contusions and internal bleeding may result.

*Any kind of poisoning

Note … POISONING

If you know your cat has eaten something toxic, take him to the emergency vet without waiting for signs of poisoning. If you are unsure if it is poisonous, you can contact a veterinarian or a poison control hotline.

*Any string hanging out of any orifice (Take seriously… Please don’t pull and leave all orifices to veterinary professionals)
* HEATSTROKE

Note …Cats generally breathe through their noses, so if they are breathing with their mouths open or panting this is a concern and they should be assessed quickly.

*PARALYSIS IN ONE OR MORE LIMBS

Note … If your cat suddenly shows signs of paralysis in one or more limbs, it’s time to go to the emergency vet. This could indicate a problem with that limb, or it could mean your cat is having heart or clotting issues.

*Eye injury
– Increased blinking, squinting, or tearing
– Keeping the eye closed
– Redness in the eye
– Minor bleeding
– Yellowy discharge

Major injury, you’ll know from these symptoms:

– Major bleeding
– A foreign object is seen protruding from eye
– Distorted pupil
– Cloudy cornea
– Eye is protruding
– Cat is in severe pain

Unexplained Weight Loss

Take your cat to the vet if cat is losing weight. It could be a sign of cancer, kidney or liver problems, heart disease, diabetes, among other things.”

There are so many reasons why your cat could suddenly be losing weight, and none of them is a good thing. If your cat loses 10 percent of their body weight or more, it is definitely time to take them to see the vet.

Note … Cats can have a reputation for being finicky, but you know what is normal for your pet. If his appetite changes suddenly, with him showing either more or less interest in his food that usual, he may have an undiagnosed health issue.

Coughing Or Other Breathing Changes

Any changes to your cat’s respiratory system such as, sounds, from coughing, to an increase in the number of breathes, to the sound of more shallow breathing, should be taken seriously. Respiratory issues can be a symptom of tumors, parasites, respiratory disease, or exposure to toxins.

Discharge From the Eyes Or Nose

Discharge from the eyes or nose, particularly when combined with shortness of breath, panting or sneezing, can be a sign of a respiratory infection. These infections can progress quickly if left untreated.

A Lump Or Unusual Growth

Lumps or bumps may be perfectly harmless, but without an examination, it is impossible to tell. Even if the new growth is benign, it can develop on an area that causes discomfort for your pet.

Dragging Back Legs

Aortic thromboembolism is a complication that can develop in cats with heart disease. In this condition, a blood clot becomes lodged in the back legs, causing paralysis and distress. It is vital to get your cat medical attention immediately.

Major Trauma or Fighting With Another Cat

If your cat is struck by a car, tangles with another animal, or otherwise experiences trauma, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Even if your pet seems fine, he may have internal injuries or wounds hidden beneath his fur. A quick trip to the veterinarian for a check-up can is worth the time, to reduce the risk of infection or other complications later on.

Signs Of Obvious Distress

Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.

Repeated Vomiting

Occasional vomiting of food or hair is normal. Repeated vomiting may indicate that something is seriously wrong. If your cat continues to eat and drink, as well as use the litter box, contact your veterinarian to discuss his symptoms. However, if your cat stops eating, drinking, and urinating, it should be considered a medical emergency.

Seizures

There are many severe health issues that can cause your cat to have a seizure, not the least of which is some kind of neurological disorder. You should definitely have them checked out by your vet.

Classic seizures in cats are caused by acute poisoning. Seizures after head injury may occur at the time of the accident, but in most cases appear several weeks later… Stroke, metabolic disorders, and epilepsy are other causes of seizures.

Distended Belly

A distended abdomen could be a sign of internal bleeding, a gastrointestinal obstruction or a hormonal disease – all emergencies. a distended belly in cats is almost always a sign that something significant is wrong. You visit the vet, particularly if it is combined with any other symptoms.

Fever

It is believed that fever is a method of fighting infection… The normal temperature in cats is 100.5°F to 102.5°F. If your cat temperature is high, call your veterinarian.

A fever in your cat could be a response to some kind of bacterial infection or virus. Your cat’s body temperature may also rise from hyperthermia if they’ve been exposed to hot weather or have been sitting in a hot car. This sign of overheating is obviously not good for your cat’s health either.

Ear Problems

Observing ear problems in your cat may be one of the most difficult, as cats are often grooming different parts of their bodies. But if you notice that your cat is scratching their ears more than normal, you should definitely take a closer look.

If your cat is scratching her ears or you notice redness, swelling or discharge in her ear canal, it could be a sign of yeast, ear mites, bacteria or allergies.

Trouble Urinating

If your cat has trouble relieving himself or doesn’t seem able to pee at all, it could be a serious emergency.

In addition to keeping an eye on your cat for trouble or discomfort urinating, you should also keep an eye out for bloody urine. Blood could be a sign that your cat is dealing with kidney stones, cancer, or a type of bacterial infection. Obviously, it is important to take your cat to the veterinarian right away.

Red Eyes

Red eyes don’t necessarily seem like they would be all that life-threatening. However, there are several diseases that can be caught by observing that your cat’s eyes are redder than usual.

Conjunctivitis in cats almost always has an underlying infectious cause… If the eye is red, irritated, and painful to touch, consider the possibility of keratitis, uveitis, or glaucoma. Delay in treating these conditions could result in loss of vision.

Vomiting

A cat will throw up a hairball now and then, but vomiting more than once a month could indicate kidney failure or inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, if you observe blood in your cat’s vomit, you should definitely see the vet. This could be caused by stomach tumors, internal bleeding, clotting disorders, or even severe ulcers.

Note … Pet Vet Corner encourages you to establish a relationship with your local veterinarian before an emergency. Catching illnesses early can ensure that your cat lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

**The Vet Corner groups encourage members to establish a relationship with their local veterinarian, don’t wait until an emergency.**