In the event of a cat emergency such as a dog bite, fall from a height, constant vomiting, or gasping, take your cat to a veterinarian without further ado.

While you prepare for your visit, here’s what you can do at home to minimize damage till you get to a vet:

1.  Stay calm and keep the cat calm.
2. Assess the situation and try to determine the severity of the emergency.
3. Immediately contact the veterinarian.
4. Contact an ambulance service (if required) or prepare to take your cat to the vet in a comfortable vehicle.
5. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze.
6. If the cat is having trouble breathing, make sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
7. If the cat has diarrhea, try to limit their food and water intake.
8. If the cat is vomiting, check for signs of dehydration. Pinch the skin between the shoulder blades technique – explained in the article.
9. If the cat is experiencing pain or discomfort, try to keep them still and limit their movement.
10. If the cat has ingested a toxic substance, try to identify the substance to guide the veterinarian in taking further action.
11. If the cat has a seizure, remove any objects around them that could cause injury and keep them away from stairs or high places.
12. If the cat has a temperature above 104°F (40°C), use a cool compress on their paws or neck to help lower their body temperature.
13. While taking the cat to the vet, place your cat in their most familiar crate.
14. Keep some cloth inside the crate and ensure that the base is stable by covering it with flat cardboard pieces.
15. Express your love for the cat to comfort them.

According to a veteran veterinarian, Dr Raibole ‘Cats usually are brought to a vet’s clinic only when a health problem becomes a cat emergency’. It is best if cat parents don’t wait for that long and collaborate with vets on a regular basis to keep their cat’s health in check. Understanding the warning signs of an emergency and knowing what to do in those situations can make all the difference in your cat’s health and well-being, whether it be from falls from a great height or medical issues like cystitis and pleural effusion.

In this article, we’ll examine five typical cat emergencies in further detail and offer advice on how to spot them, what to do in an emergency, and how to avoid them altogether. This way you can prepare yourself for any emergency that can arise with your cherished feline friend, whether you’re an experienced cat parent or a first-time care-giver.

5 Common Cat Emergencies

Falls from height

Although cats are well recognized for their curiosity and climbing prowess, they occasionally run the risk of falling from heights like windows, balconies, or trees. Such falls may lead to serious injuries such as spiral fractures, head fractures, jaw trauma, and long bone fractures. A cat can suffer severe injuries even from falls that are quite short in distance.

For example, consider your cat relaxing on a windowsill while admiring the scenery. It jumps off the windowsill when it spots a bird suddenly, but it miscalculates the distance and lands on the ground below. Your cat is limping and seems to be in pain when you check on it.

In such emergencies, home remedies are of no help. Take your cat to the vet right away. If you believe your cat may have suffered a shattered bone or spinal damage, attempt to limit movement during transport and keep it calm and at ease. Based on the severity of the injuries, your veterinarian will undertake a complete examination, which can include X-rays or any other diagnostic testing, and recommend the best course of action. Surgery, rest, and pain control are all possible forms of treatment.

How to prevent my cat from falling

It’s important to make sure your home is secure for your cat in order to prevent falls from heights. Every cat household should have pigeon nets in their balconies. Ensure that the doors and windows to your balcony are shut tightly to keep your cat from falling out. When your cat is investigating high locations, keep an eye on it and discourage harmful behavior with a firm no. If you’re new at cat parenting here’s a Complete Guide for Cat-Safe home. Refer to this guide and ensure necessary safety measures to prevent a cat emergency.

Cystitis

Cystitis in cats develops when the bladder becomes irritated and inflamed. Symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty peeing, blood in the urine, pain and discomfort. Numerous reasons like stress, dehydration, or an underlying medical condition can lead to cystitis.

Consult your veterinarian for advice on management and treatment options if you think your cat may have cystitis. To ascertain the underlying cause and suggest the most suitable courses of treatment, your veterinarian may carry out diagnostic procedures, such as a urinalysis or bloodwork.

Cystitis can be treated with drugs that reduce discomfort and inflammation as well as dietary changes that improve hydration and bladder health. It may also be advised to use stress-reduction techniques, such as giving your cat a serene environment. Your veterinarian can occasionally suggest additional diagnostic tests or a referral to a specialist.

How to prevent cystitis in cats

Cystitis in cats can have several causes as follows:

• Bacterial infection: Bacterial infections in the urinary tract or bladder can irritate and inflame the lining of the bladder, which can result in cystitis. Prevent infection-related cystitis by keeping litter boxes clean, providing plenty of fresh water, and feeding a balanced diet.
• Diet: Feeding your cat a diet rich in minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, can make them more susceptible to cystitis. Insufficient hydration can also lead to the urine becoming more concentrated, which can irritate the bladder lining.
• Urinary tract abnormalities: Cats with abnormalities of the urinary tract, such as stones in the bladder or a restricted urethra, are more likely to get cystitis.

However, according to Dr. Raibole, the most common cause of cystitis, seen especially in male cats is stress.

Cystitis in cats can be caused by stress as it disrupts their typical urine behaviors. When a cat is stressed, their body produces chemicals that alter the environment of the bladder, making it more prone to infection and inflammation. Stress may additionally lead a cat to hold its urine for prolonged lengths of time, resulting in an accumulation of urine inside the bladder, increasing the risk of inflammation and infection.

Furthermore, stress can cause behavioral changes such as more hostility or less grooming, which may raise the possibility of infection even further. Stress-related cystitis in felines can also be exacerbated by male cat dominance. Here are some other strategies to help prevent dominance-related related to stress cystitis in male cats:

• Provide different supplies: Male cats can get territorial and may perceive other cats in the family as a threat. To prevent competition and stress, provide separate food dishes, litter boxes, and resting locations.
• Spay your male cats: Neutering male cats can help decrease hostility and dominance-related behaviors. This can also lower the incidence of urinary tract infections and stress-related cystitis.
• Enable your male cat to roam around his own area and territory: Let your male cat enjoy a separate area and territory. This can involve providing him with an independent space or section of the house to flee to if he feels endangered.
• Use positive reinforcement: Treats or playtime may be employed to reward good behavior. This can assist to reinforce positive behaviors while also decreasing stress-related behaviors.
• Consider behavior adjustment: When your male cat behaves aggressively or dominantly, consult with a vet or cat behaviorist to design a behavior adjustment strategy.

Dog bite

Provide your cat with veterinarian care as soon as possible if your cat has been bitten by a dog. Dr Raibole stated that many rescuers, stray cats as well as pet cats come with wounds on their abdomen caused by a dog bite. These bites can cause serious injuries and infections that need to be treated correctly by a doctor.

To avoid infection and aid with recovery, your cat may require antibiotics or other medical attention. The size and power of the dog, as well as the site and depth of the cut, can all affect how bad a dog bite is. If not treated right at once, even minor bites can get infected and result in major health issues.

Try to keep your cat calm and at ease during the trip to the vet’s office. Stress can exacerbate the condition by raising your cat’s heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to complications like bleeding. It’s crucial to take action to protect your cat from any additional trauma or harm, such as keeping her away from other animals or potentially harmful things.

When you get to the vet’s office, the doctor will evaluate your cat and decide what the best course of action is. This can entail treating the wound with cleaning solutions and antiseptics, giving your cat antibiotics or other drugs, and keeping an eye out for indications of infection or other consequences. To guarantee a thorough recovery, your cat might need surgery or hospitalization in more serious cases.

Vomiting

Cats are known to groom themselves by licking their fur, which might result in hairballs that they later throw up. Thus, it is usual for cats to vomit on occasion. Although excessive vomition may result in severe dehydration, low temperature, or even coma and the cause may be completely different. If your cat displays other symptoms like diarrhea, tiredness, or loss of appetite, rush her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Dr. Raibole suggests that a cat parent should never vomiting in cats as your cat might be suggesting a serious underlying condition. So, seeking veterinarian’s help is crucial instead of deciding for ourselves that vomiting is common in cats and not a reason to worry.

Here are some suggestions for preventing vomiting in cats:

• To limit the probability of snacking excessively or eating too soon, serve more frequently and in smaller amounts during the day.
• Avoid drastic dietary or feeding schedule changes, and implement modifications gradually over many days.
• Maintain a stress-free atmosphere for your cat and provide lots of physical and mental stimulation.
• Do not offer your cat human meals as they can irritate your cat’s digestive tract.
• Seek veterinarian attention if vomiting continues or is preceded by other symptoms in order to rule out any deeper medical causes.

Lung issues (Pleural Effusion)

Rapid, shallow breathing in cats!

Pleural effusion in cats causes fluid to accumulate around the lungs, making it challenging for your cat to breathe. A cat may try to gasp too much air in such situations. At this point you have to tap on your cat’s chest very lightly so that fluid moves and your cat can breathe. According to a 2021 study, congestive heart failure was the most common cause of pleural effusion – congestive heart failure (52.3%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by neoplasia (21.9%).

Wheezing, coughing, labored breathing, and tiredness are some of the signs of pleural effusion. Numerous underlying medical diseases, including cancer, infections, or heart issues, might contribute to this condition. Get veterinarian attention straight away if you see any of these symptoms in your cat. To identify the underlying cause of the pleural effusion, your veterinarian will do a complete physical examination and may prescribe diagnostic testing such chest X-rays, blood tests, or ultrasounds.

The underlying cause of a pleural effusion will determine the available treatments. Your veterinarian may suggest medication to treat an infection or a heart disease, or they may need to use a needle or catheter to remove the fluid from the area around the lungs. To remove the fluid or treat the underlying cause of the disease, surgery may occasionally be required.

If your cat has pleural effusion, it’s critical to keep a close eye on their breathing and general health. If neglected, this illness can be fatal since it can cause respiratory failure and other major health issues.

Emergency situations call for quick response, so it’s best to call your veterinarian out of an abundance of caution. Many of these situations can be prevented with the right treatment, allowing your beloved feline companion to live a long and healthy life. Keep in mind that the finest source of information regarding the health and welfare of your cat is your veterinarian. To keep your furry pet safe and healthy, stay aware and ready.