Top 3 Medical Emergencies in Cats (Signs, First Aid & When to Call the Vet)

Medical emergencies in cats can be obvious, like when the cat collapses or sustains some kind of trauma. But they can also be more subtle, presenting as changes in behaviour. Cats are notorious for hiding pain and illness, so it is down to you to look for the signs.

In this guide, we will break down the top 3 medical emergencies to look out for. As a core rule for all of this, if you are unsure about something, you should call your vet or out-of-hours service. They can advise and prepare for your arrival.

Before we get into the list, let’s look at a quick “red flag” checklist for signs of a medical emergency in cats:

• 

  Weakness, struggling to stand or balance issues

• 

  Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing or panting

• 

  Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if prolonged or you notice blood

• 

  Unable to pass urine. This is especially urgent in males.

• 

  Collapse

• 

  Suspected poisoning, even if there are no symptoms yet

Read on for guidance into 3 of the most urgent signs of a feline emergency.

Number 1: Difficulty Breathing (Always Urgent)

There are clear warning signs that your cat is not breathing comfortably. Look for open-mouth breathing, panting or gasping. Rapid or shallow breaths are also cause for alarm, as is an exaggerated chest effort with each breath.

If you notice blue or pale gums, this could suggest an oxygen problem as well.

Why It’s an Emergency

Any sign that a cat is finding it difficult to breathe is considered as a “Get to a vet immediately” situation, according to experts. There are various potential causes for it, such as:

• Asthma

• Trauma

• Heart failure

• Fluid in the lungs

Whether the cause is one of these or anything else, it is essential to get to a vet as soon as possible.

What to Do Right Now

It is important that you keep calm so as not to cause distress and keep movement of the cat to a minimum. Do what you can to keep your cat quiet and warm (unless you suspect heatstroke). Get on the phone to your vet, no matter the time, and get your animal seen immediately.

When using your carrier box, we recommend that you remove the carrier lid so that you can lower your cat into it rather than pushing through the door. Consider using a towel or blanket to reduce stress and protect you from bites or scratches.

There is one warning here: Don’t force handling if it heightens stress. Stress can make the breathing issues even worse.

Number 2: Urinary Blockage (Especially in Male Cats)

This one can be quite easy to miss early on, so it is always wise to keep an eye on your cat’s behaviour. The most common warning sign is that your cat makes frequent trips to the litter tray but leaves little or no urine.

Other things to look out for include:

• Crying out or straining in the tray

• Genital licking

• Restlessness or hiding

There is a simple rule of thumb here: straining + not producing a steady stream = urgent call to the vet.

Why It’s Life-Threatening

Any kind of urinary blockage can quickly trigger acute kidney failure. This is a relatively common cause of death that can be prevented with fast treatment. Be diligent with the signs that your cat is experiencing urinary discomfort and don’t ignore the signs, even if they are subtle.

Here’s what to do (and what NOT to do):

• Treat it as an emergency. Phone your vet and get the cat seen as soon as possible.

• Keep your cat calm. Transport it safely in a carrier lined with a blanket for comfort.

• Don’t “wait and see” overnight. If they are repeatedly trying to pee with no output, this is an emergency.

Number 3: Poisoning / Toxin Exposure

It is not uncommon for cats to encounter toxic things, particularly if they are outdoor cats. The most common sources of poisoning are eating poisoned rodents, exposure to toxic plants for cats or drinking chemicals by mistake.

If your cat has eaten something poisonous, there are certain symptoms to look out for:

•  Vomiting, diarrhoea or drooling/salivation

• Skin irritation from caustic materials

• Collapse or seizures

What to Do Immediately

The first thing to do is to call your vet and tell them that you suspect your cat has been poisoned. They will call you in for an emergency appointment to assess your cat. It will be helpful if you can bring a sample, or the packaging/container of what caused the poisoning.

If you know that the toxin is on the fur or skin, rinse it under running water. If it is a corrosive or toxic material, the guidance is that you should do this for 15 minutes to ensure complete removal.

In some cases, the label for a toxic product might have first aid instructions. Only follow them in coordination with vet advice - it is absolutely essential that you call first.

Common mistakes include:

• Attempting to induce vomiting if foreign objects are swallowed. Do not attempt this without training.

• Trying random home remedies. This is never a good idea, and it is particularly important that you don’t give your cat any human medications.

First Aid Basics on The Way (Works Across Most Emergencies)

Though we don’t recommend that you try any specific interventions other than calling your vet, there are certain things you can do to care for your cat while you wait for it to be treated:

• Caring for your cat: Don’t panic - it is important to keep calm. Try not to make your cat move at all, and keep it warm and quiet (except in cases of suspected heatstroke).

• Transporting your cat: A carrier or strong box will be best. Remove the top for easier access and cover the cat with a towel or blanket. Handle cautiously as some cats are more likely to bite or scratch when they are in pain.

A quick note on heatstroke: it is a good idea to put cool (not cold) water on your cat then contact your vet immediately.

Cat First Aid Kit Staples

If you want to have a feline first-aid plan, a kit might be an important part of it. The first thing should be to know your out-of-hours arrangement and contact details before you need them. You could pack a first-aid kit with the following:

• Bandages

• Non-adhesive dressings/gauze

• Surgical tape

• Scissors

• A towel or blanket

• Sterile saline

• Some latex gloves

Prevention is your strongest weapon against medical emergencies in cats. Keep toxic substances and plants away from your animal and avoid leaving out small objects that they might swallow. This way, you minimise the risk of your cat becoming very ill.