Cats are notoriously independent, and they often try to hide when they are not feeling well. This makes it challenging for cat owners to know when they need to see a veterinarian. Some injuries are obvious, such as an open wound. However, other injuries may have more subtle signs that can be just as dangerous if left untreated. Below is a list of some of the most common cat emergencies and their associated signs. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately.
Trauma including Profuse Bleeding and Screaming: For emergencies, the term trauma refers to a physical injury. The injury could result in broken skin, bleeding, loud vocalization, or have no obvious signs of damage. Other reasons for bleeding or vocalization include hemolytic anemia, poison, or blood clots. If you see any signs of trauma, please bring your cat in immediately for assistance.
Sudden Profuse Vomiting: When your cat can’t keep down food or water, that’s a big problem. There are many diseases that can cause vomiting, but for emergency purposes vomiting indicates things like blocked intestines, urinary blockage, poison, or pancreatitis. These are serious problems that need to be treated right away. The longer your cat is left vomiting, the more dehydrated they become, and the harder (and more expensive) the prognosis is. If your cat is suddenly vomiting, please bring them in immediately.
Sudden Extreme Lethargy or Paralysis: Any sudden lethargy can be the result of serious disease, such as diabetes or poisoning. Paralysis is more commonly seen with parasites and blood clots. Again, these are time sensitive and life-threatening problems.
Inability to Urinate: If your cat can’t urinate, the toxins that should be removed during urination backup into the blood stream and make your cat very sick. After a day of having a fully blocked urethra, a cat would be flat on their side in obvious distress. If you notice your cat isn’t urinating, please contact the cat hospital of Kamloops.
Respiratory distress: Respiratory distress is a condition in which the cat has difficulty breathing. It can be caused by various conditions, including heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, and smoke inhalation. If you notice that your cat is having difficulty breathing, please contact us immediately.
By familiarizing yourself with these common cat emergencies, you can help ensure that your cat receives prompt treatment if they ever need it.
For emergencies, please call our office at BENGAL – 1111 (236-425-1111)
For our vets Kamloops animals come first. Please call us for access to feline vets Kamloops can trust. Our On-Call doctors are available to provide emergency services (Phone Pre-screening).
We the only veterinary cat clinic in Kamloops that offers a full list of services to keep your feline friend healthy. Our veterinarians and assistants provide consultations, wellness exams, orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, dental care, diagnostics, spaying and neutering services for cats. We love cats, and we know you do too!
Learn more about cat health here: EDUCATION