Does your Cat need Emergency Vet Care? 5 Signs to watch out for ⛳️

Cats are masters at hiding discomfort, which can make proactive pet care, like annual vet check-ups and pet insurance, seem unimportant at first. Unlike dogs, who may whimper or limp, cats often mask pain or illness until it becomes more serious. 

This can make it difficult for pet parents to know when something is wrong. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for subtle changes in behaviour, appetite, or grooming habits. 

Recognising these early warning signs and knowing when to seek emergency vet care can make all the difference in keeping your cat safe and healthy.

Signs your cat needs emergency vet care:

So how do you know when you need to take your cat to see the vet straight away? Here are the most common cat emergency vet care situations in Australia. If your cat is unwell or you are unsure, it is always best to seek veterinary advice. 

1. Laboured breathing

When your cat has difficulty breathing, this can be because of a heart or lung condition, or bronchoconstriction, causing low oxygen levels. Below is a checklist you can use anytime you feel that your cat has breathing troubles.

Is your cat showing any of the following signs?
– Breathing with an open mouth
– Standing or crouching with elbows bent away from the chest
– Head and neck stretched out
– Shortness of breath
– Wheezing, coughing, or vomiting
– Belly and chest moving while breathing

If yes, you may need to take your cat to the vet straight away. Don’t forget to use an appropriate cat carrier that is safe and low-stress for your cat (check with your vet if you are unsure). 

2. Lethargy

Cats have fine motor skills — they’re graceful beings. So when you see your cat moving in a weird way, like being lethargic, it could be a sign that something is wrong. 

Another warning sign you need to watch out for is when your pet doesn’t react to stimuli the way it normally does. A healthy cat who’s just sleepy will react to your touch: Opening their eyes and maybe moving a little bit before falling asleep again. 

A lethargic cat, on the other hand, doesn’t react to your touch or to any stimuli. It won’t stir when you open a bag of cat food.

Lethargy in itself can be a symptom of poisoning, tick paralysis, infection, and heart or liver disease, among others.

Symptoms to watch out for:
– Abnormal sleepiness
– Low energy
– Lack of response to surroundings
– Pale gums
– Appetite loss

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3. Physical trauma 

Physical Trauma in cats can be external or internal. If your cat has an open wound or hemorrhage because it was possibly hit by a vehicle or attacked by other animals, you obviously need to take him to the vet for immediate treatment. 

You also need to be wary about internal trauma. Incidents, like jumping from tall buildings or having something heavy fall on you, can cause internal injuries. It’s best to get a vet to check whether a bone is broken or there’s internal bleeding. 

Often, a sign a cat has suffered some type of trauma, will be damage to their nails. This comes about from their strong reflex and moving quickly away from danger. 

If your cat is territorial, some bite wounds can become abscessed quite quickly and may require a surgery under anaesthetic. If treated sooner rather than later, they can easily be treated with antibiotics.

4. Foreign Body Ingestion

Foreign body ingestion in cats happens when they swallow something dangerous — like string, hair ties, toys, toxic foods, or even small household objects.

Objects can get stuck in the stomach or intestines, leading to blockages that may cause vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or even life-threatening complications like poisoning.

Some symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, collapse, or seizures. 

When your cat has been poisoned, never induce vomiting unless your vet has instructed you to do so. Take your pet to the vet, and if you know what has poisoned him, bring a sample of the suspected poison with you. 

So what can poison cats? Oftentimes, it’s something they ingested.

Here are some of the “foods” that are dangerous for cats:
– Poisoned mice
– Slug or snail bait
– Lilies
– Household products like antifreeze and cleaning fluids
– Commonly used chemicals such as weed killer
– Rat poison
– Insecticides
– Products containing benzalkonium chloride
– Drugs like antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and paracetamol
– Some beauty products such as nail polish and remover, hair dyes, and suncream.

5. Abnormal urination

When your cat is unable to urinate, this could be caused by a blockage in the urethra. If your cat is straining to urinate and also showing any of these symptoms, it could be a medical emergency:

– Excessive licking of the genital area or base of the tail
– Lethargy
– Vomiting
– Loss of appetite

What to do in a cat emergency

The thing about emergencies is that it can happen anytime, anywhere. Make sure that your cat stays warm and that it doesn’t move too much, especially if you suspect broken bones or other kinds of physical trauma.

The key is to know the signs so you, as a pet parent, can know how to properly react. If you sense there’s something wrong with your cat or you’re unsure of how severe its condition is, it’s always best to be on the side of caution: contact your vet right away.   

How to manage vet emergencies

If you’re looking for a way to better manage your pet’s vet care bills, did you know that Knose offers a sustainable way to keep pet care manageable? 

Cat Insurance may significantly help when the unexpected happens. The best part? You can customise your policy’s benefit percentage, annual limit, annual excess, and even add-on to your pet’s coverage. 

Cat emergencies are the least we think of and can happen at any moment. It’s best to be prepared physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

We also offer routine Pet Care Plans (separate product from Knose Pet Insurance) which are meant to keep you always one step ahead of emergencies. Don’t wait for an emergency — start protecting your cat today! 

Disclaimer
Coverage for illnesses and injuries is subject to your selected plan, Knose Pet Insurance terms and conditions, and only applies where the condition is not a Pre-Existing Symptom or Condition and is outside any applicable Exclusion Periods. See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details.