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Seizure, fainting, or collapse.
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Eye injury, no matter how mild.
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Vomiting or diarrhea — anything more than two or three times within an hour or so.
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Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly.
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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.
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Snake or venomous spider bite.
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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.)
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Any wound or laceration that’s open and bleeding, or any animal bite.
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Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the cat seems fine.
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Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing, or near drowning.
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Straining to urinate or defecate.
When in doubt, day or night, don’t wait: Call a veterinarian!