10 Reasons to Rush Your Cat to the Veterinarian
Most cats will live a very quiet life, if living indoors.
However, they are curious creatures and do have a tendency to get themselves in to trouble on occasion.
In some cases, cats will begin to display behavior that requires immediate medical attention.
It is good to know when this is the case, but if you are ever in doubt, call your veterinarian right away, to be sure.
Here are a few reasons that you should rush your cat to the veterinarian right away: 1) Squinting: As with dogs, when a cat is squinting, there is cause to be concerned about an injury to the eye.
Even if the cat is indoors all the time, and there are no other pets, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian the very day you notice the squinting.
2) Vomiting: Most cats will bring up an occasional hair ball, which is to be expected.
However, increase in vomiting (a few days a week, every day, multiple times a day, etc.
) that is abnormal for your cat, requires a call and visit to your veterinarian.
Some cats have been known to ingest thread, string, etc.
and vomiting can be a sign that something is causing a blockage and should be checked immediately.
3) Urinating problems: One of the biggest concerns is having a "blocked" cat, especially because they can become gravely ill and die very quickly.
If your cat (usually males, but occasionally females too) is in and out of the box repeatedly and is not leaving behind any urine puddles, call your veterinarian immediately.
Even if you are not sure, call anyway.
A physical exam and possibly an x-ray can diagnose a blocked cat and put your mind to rest if they are not blocked.
4) Stool problems: Some cats will occasionally have an unusual bowel movement.
However, as creatures of habit, they should not be constipated, having soft stool or diarrhea for an extended period of time (more than a day or two).
Whatever is ailing them, they should be seen right away, to prevent dehydration.
If they go outdoors at all, you should bring in a fecal (stool) sample to be tested for parasites, by your veterinarian, as well.
5) Wounds: Whether your cat is indoor or goes outdoors, they can have a wound that requires medical attention.
It is best to allow your veterinarian to evaluate a wound or scab to determine if and how to treat your cat.
Wounds can trap bacteria under the skin, causing an abscess which is very painful for kitty.
6) Drooling: For dogs, drool is a necessary evil.
In cats, however, it is not common for them to drool.
This may mean they are nauseous, which can be caused by many different ailments.
They may also have some type of dental problem that can cause the drool.
Best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical exam.
7) Drinking/Eating changes: if your cat starts to drink a lot more, or a lot less call your veterinarian.
Likewise, if they begin to eat more or less, you should call your veterinarian.
Again, cats are creatures of habit and changes in eating or drinking are clues to a potential medical problem.
8) Lumps: It is not common for cats to have lumps.
Dogs can get fatty lumps all over, skin tags, warts, etc.
However, cats usually do not have these.
Occasionally a vaccine may cause a pea-sized lump at the injection site for a period of time, but otherwise, cats with lumps need to be seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
9) Lethargy: If your cat is sleeping more, not playing, not eating or drinking much, call your veterinarian as soon as you notice this.
If it has progressed over many years, as sometimes seen in geriatric cats, it is still best to have your veterinarian perform a physical exam and possibly some blood work.
Sudden onset of lethargy is an emergency.
10) Panting: With dogs, panting is a normal way of behavior.
Cats, however, should NEVER pant.
It is not a normal behavior and emergency medical attention by a veterinarian is necessary.
These are just a few of the most common symptoms that are reasons for emergency visits to the veterinarian for cats.
By no means is this list all-inclusive.
There are many things about cats that are different from dogs.
Sometimes, cat owners do not realize the above are potential signs of illness.
Again, cats can be very reclusive, which makes it harder to be aware of some of these signs.
If you are ever in doubt, a quick call to your veterinarian is always the best advice.
Being an observant pet owner is the greatest act of love you can perform for your beloved furry friend.
However, they are curious creatures and do have a tendency to get themselves in to trouble on occasion.
In some cases, cats will begin to display behavior that requires immediate medical attention.
It is good to know when this is the case, but if you are ever in doubt, call your veterinarian right away, to be sure.
Here are a few reasons that you should rush your cat to the veterinarian right away: 1) Squinting: As with dogs, when a cat is squinting, there is cause to be concerned about an injury to the eye.
Even if the cat is indoors all the time, and there are no other pets, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian the very day you notice the squinting.
2) Vomiting: Most cats will bring up an occasional hair ball, which is to be expected.
However, increase in vomiting (a few days a week, every day, multiple times a day, etc.
) that is abnormal for your cat, requires a call and visit to your veterinarian.
Some cats have been known to ingest thread, string, etc.
and vomiting can be a sign that something is causing a blockage and should be checked immediately.
3) Urinating problems: One of the biggest concerns is having a "blocked" cat, especially because they can become gravely ill and die very quickly.
If your cat (usually males, but occasionally females too) is in and out of the box repeatedly and is not leaving behind any urine puddles, call your veterinarian immediately.
Even if you are not sure, call anyway.
A physical exam and possibly an x-ray can diagnose a blocked cat and put your mind to rest if they are not blocked.
4) Stool problems: Some cats will occasionally have an unusual bowel movement.
However, as creatures of habit, they should not be constipated, having soft stool or diarrhea for an extended period of time (more than a day or two).
Whatever is ailing them, they should be seen right away, to prevent dehydration.
If they go outdoors at all, you should bring in a fecal (stool) sample to be tested for parasites, by your veterinarian, as well.
5) Wounds: Whether your cat is indoor or goes outdoors, they can have a wound that requires medical attention.
It is best to allow your veterinarian to evaluate a wound or scab to determine if and how to treat your cat.
Wounds can trap bacteria under the skin, causing an abscess which is very painful for kitty.
6) Drooling: For dogs, drool is a necessary evil.
In cats, however, it is not common for them to drool.
This may mean they are nauseous, which can be caused by many different ailments.
They may also have some type of dental problem that can cause the drool.
Best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical exam.
7) Drinking/Eating changes: if your cat starts to drink a lot more, or a lot less call your veterinarian.
Likewise, if they begin to eat more or less, you should call your veterinarian.
Again, cats are creatures of habit and changes in eating or drinking are clues to a potential medical problem.
8) Lumps: It is not common for cats to have lumps.
Dogs can get fatty lumps all over, skin tags, warts, etc.
However, cats usually do not have these.
Occasionally a vaccine may cause a pea-sized lump at the injection site for a period of time, but otherwise, cats with lumps need to be seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
9) Lethargy: If your cat is sleeping more, not playing, not eating or drinking much, call your veterinarian as soon as you notice this.
If it has progressed over many years, as sometimes seen in geriatric cats, it is still best to have your veterinarian perform a physical exam and possibly some blood work.
Sudden onset of lethargy is an emergency.
10) Panting: With dogs, panting is a normal way of behavior.
Cats, however, should NEVER pant.
It is not a normal behavior and emergency medical attention by a veterinarian is necessary.
These are just a few of the most common symptoms that are reasons for emergency visits to the veterinarian for cats.
By no means is this list all-inclusive.
There are many things about cats that are different from dogs.
Sometimes, cat owners do not realize the above are potential signs of illness.
Again, cats can be very reclusive, which makes it harder to be aware of some of these signs.
If you are ever in doubt, a quick call to your veterinarian is always the best advice.
Being an observant pet owner is the greatest act of love you can perform for your beloved furry friend.
Source...