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Difficulty breathing
If your cat seems to have trouble breathing, always contact your vet. Signs can include persistent coughing or wheezing, and panting, which is only normal if your cat has just been extremely active. You may also notice your cat stretching their head and neck forward or kneeling with elbows splayed away from their chest. All of these need urgent medical attention.
Painful or frequent peeing
Is your cat straining to pee or going frequently with little to no urine coming out? Contact your vet right away, especially if your cat is male, as they are more prone to developing a blocked urethra – a painful, life-threatening condition that can rapidly result in bladder rupture or kidney failure. Regardless of gender, any signs of difficulty urinating should prompt a call to your vet right away.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Vomiting multiple times an hour or suffering from persistent diarrhea can leave your cat dehydrated. Even then, you should never force your cat to eat or drink without getting medical advice first, as your well-intended care may make your cat even sicker. Besides causing dehydration, constant vomiting or diarrhea can also indicate more serious health issues, especially when blood is present or when your cat shows signs of lethargy.
Your cat may have ingested toxins
If you suspect your cat has swallowed something toxic, time is of the essence. Treatments to induce vomiting are only effective within an hour of ingestion. After that, toxins may already be absorbed. So, don’t wait and contact your vet immediately. To avoid plant-related poisoning, check out our article on poisonous plants before shopping for new greenery.
Signs of severe pain or distress
Cats are masters at hiding pain, often going into hiding or seeming unusually quiet. Now, don’t be misled if your cat is purring. Our feline friends can purr as a self-soothing mechanism. Other signs that your cat is in pain are howling, crying, growling, or overreacting when the painful area is being touched. In addition, a cat that’s in pain will stop eating and drinking.
Sudden paralysis
When a cat is suddenly paralyzed in their back legs, most people think it must be caused by severe trauma. However, there is another reason why your cat might suddenly drag their back legs along: a blood clot blocking the blood supply. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage as well as blood clots moving to other places in the body.
Collapse or seizures
If your cat can’t stand up on their legs any longer, if they are super lethargic, or if they are downright unresponsive, something is definitely very wrong. The same goes when cats have a seizure. When your cat is barely responsive, make sure to lay their neck straight so they can breathe properly. Next, give your vet an urgent call. After all, unresponsiveness could indicate a serious problem with your cat’s heart, lungs, brain, liver, blood circulation, etc.
Major trauma or accident
If you know your cat has experienced trauma, like being hit by a car or being bitten by a dog, make sure to let them get checked by a veterinarian, no exceptions. Obvious signs like bleeding, deep wounds, or blood in vomit or stool are cause for concern, but even if your cat looks fine, internal injuries or hidden wounds may be present. Never ignore pale gums in a cat, as this can be a sign of severe internal bleeding.
