Signs Your Cat Needs Immediate Veterinary Attention

If your cat gets injured or becomes ill, you may need to make a quick trip to the vet or to the emergency care facility. Following is a list of some symptoms that require your cat to see a veterinarian now:

• Seizure, fainting, or collapse.

• Eye injury, no matter how mild.

• Vomiting or diarrhea — anything more than two or three times within an hour or so.

• Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly.

• Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Cats are also especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) and petroleum-based products.

• Snake or venomous spider bite.

• Thermal stress — from being either too cold or too hot — even if the cat seems to have recovered. (The internal story could be quite different.)

• Any wound or laceration that’s open and bleeding, or any animal bite.

• Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the cat seems fine.

• Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing, or near drowning.

• Straining to urinate or defecate.

When in doubt, day or night, don’t wait: Call a veterinarian!