Perry Veterinary Clinic - Feline Emergencies

There are many possible emergencies from automobile injury, to acute internal problems such as an intestinal blockage, but the following are the most serious and require immediate attention:

Any sever difficulty in breathing
Cardiac failure
Massive bleeding
Profound shock from any cause
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions)
Penetrating wounds of the thorax (chest) or abdomen
Coma and loss of consciousness
Poisoning
Massive injuries to the body
Seizures
Burns and scalds
Heat stroke
Bites and fight wounds
Continuous vomiting and/or diarrhea

Keep calm.
Contact your veterinary hospital, inform them of the situation and get first aid advice.
Keep your cat warm, as quiet as possible, and keep movement to a minimum if there is possible trauma, broken limbs, etc.
For specific aid refer to the following table.
Obtain a suitable container such as a strong carboard box. Drop a blanket or thick towel over the patient. Tuck it in carefull or maneuver the cat onto the blanket so it can be gently placed in the cardboard box or directly into your car.
Get to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible, but drive carefully!

Automoblie injury. Make sure your cat has a clear airway, but do not put your hand in its mouth if your cat is conscious. Cover wounds with the material available. Handle your cat with care, supporting its body as much as possible. Carry it in a basket, box, or cage to the veterinary hospital.

Bleeding (hemorrhage). If hemorrhage is severe on a limb, apply a tourniquet above the wound just tight enough to significantly reduce flow of blood; it has to be loosened within 20 mintues. Apply a pad of cotton or wool over a gauze dressing to the wound or bleeding point and bandage if firmly and/or simply apply direct pressure.

Seizure. Prevent your cat from injuring itself. Do not put your hand in its mouth. Keep your cat as quiet as possible and prevent it from falling.

Burns. Cool the burned area with cool water by running water over it or cover it with wet towels. This also helps remove caustic substances (acid or alkaline) if these are the cause. If loss of skin occurs, cover the area with the cleanest material available.

Heat stroke. Place your cat in a tub of cool water. When you are ready to transport your cat to the veterinary hospital, wrap it in a cool, wet towel.

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (diarrhea with blood; with or without vomiting). Seek veterinary attention. This is a serious condition.

Poisons. Induce vomiting with 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of hydrogen peroxide orally or a teaspoon of salt placed in mouth. Keep a sample of the vomitus for test. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if your cat has ingested products (plastic, paper, etc.). If corrosive or toxic material is on the skin, rinse for 15 minutes. Bring a sample of the suspected poison with its container to the veterinary hospital.

Eye injury. If the cornea is penetrated or perforated it will be very painful. Prevent your cat from scratching at its eye causing further damage. If the eyeball is out of its socket, keep it moist with saline solution (e.g. contact lens solution) and protect it from direct injury. Seek veterinary help immediately.

Shock (see below). Keep your cat warm and quiet. Seek immediate veterinary help.

Shock has many definition. It is a complex body reaction to a number of situations. These include acute loss of blood volume such as hemorrhage, heart failure and other causes of decreased circulation (e.g. severe and sudden allergic reation and heat stroke.) If not treated quickly and effectively shock may cause irreversible injury to body cells, and it can be rapidly fatal.

Signs include rapid breathing which may be noisy, rapic heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possible even white) mucous membranes (for instance gums, lips, under eyelids) and severe depression (listlessness) and cool extremities (limbs and ears). The cat may vomit.