Breathing problems, drooling, diarrhea... when do you know if it’s a cat emergency? If you notice the following signs, it’s time to visit the vet stat.
Abnormal urination: This is a very severe condition that can be fatal. It’s caused by a urethral obstruction and happens most often in male cats. Cats with this condition suffer pain and can experience kidney failure, bladder rupture and/or cardiac arrest. The first signs include urinating outside the litter box, straining for small quantities of urine and grooming genitals excessively. Cats with irregular urinary habits should see a vet immediately.
Difficulty breathing or choking: Fluid in the lungs or the chest cavity can cause breathing problems. If it goes untreated, cats might even go into respiratory or cardiac arrest.
Unconsciousness: Poisoning or airway obstruction are a few reasons why your cat could lose consciousness. If you get no response when you call or touch your cat, check her breathing and take her to the vet immediately.
Excessive drooling: While it may be normal for a dog to drool heavily, cats don’t drool this much unless there’s an issue. Mouth burns from electrical cords, contact with poisons and nausea from other illnesses can cause this.
Chronic vomiting: This often occurs after intestinal blockage from a ribbon, rubber band or string and needs immediate attention.
Continuous diarrhea: A variety of causes can lead to diarrhea, including poison, infectious diseases and more. If it continues, it can cause severe dehydration and worsen quickly if not addressed right away.
Pale or discolored gums: Pale gums imply anemia, bluish gums suggest a cardiac or respiratory problem and yellow gums point to liver disease. See a vet immediately for any of these signs.