Our Services

Cat Emergency Care

We make every effort to keep your pets out of the ER, but we do acknowledge that accidents do happen.

Cat Emergency Care

Cat Emergency Care

Being a cat owner means preparing for emergencies. While it’s never pleasant to think about, it’s important to know which situations require urgent veterinary care. While this is not a comprehensive list, the information below covers most of the basics. Familiarizing yourself with this information can help you feel more confident in responding to emergencies, and give you peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for any situation that may arise.

Here are some common cat emergencies to keep in mind:

Difficulty Breathing

If your cat is struggling to breathe in any way, head directly to The Pets I Love or to an emergency veterinary hospital. Difficulty breathing is an immediate emergency. Symptoms include labored breathing, particularly look for any changes in tongue color (pale or blue tinged) or gum color (pale or blue tinged) or even open mouth breathing. If you see or suspect these symptoms, call us and seek immediate emergency care.

Trouble Urinating
Cats who are vocalizing due to pain or distress, are seen having frequent trips to the litter box, are straining to urinate and only producing very small amounts of urine and are excessively genital grooming need to get to the vet quickly, as this can be a life-threatening emergency.
Hind-End Paralysis
If your cat is suddenly unable to use its rear legs and is vocalizing due to pain or distress, it is an emergency. This condition is known as Aortic Thromboembolism. An aortic thromboembolism results when a blood clot is dislodged and travels through the aorta, becoming lodged in a distant location. This condition is also sometimes called a saddle thrombus.
Not Eating/Drinking
Cats need to eat and drink each day to stay healthy. If your cat has stopped eating, this might be due to something that is simple to resolve, but it can also be an indication of something more serious. Common causes of a cat losing interest in eating/drinking include dental disease, stress and anxiety, and/or medication side effects. In more severe cases, toxin ingestion, intestinal blockage and kidney failure. Nearly all cases, a cat that is not eating needs attention from your veterinarian.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea can be concerning symptoms for cats. Sometimes, both symptoms will clear up on their own but if your cat is vomiting or has diarrhea for longer than 24 hours, seek urgent care. Your cat may become dehydrated.
Here are some common causes for cats to vomit and have diarrhea:
  • Hairballs
  • Food Sensitivity
  • Intestinal Blockage
  • Parasites
Ingestion of Toxins
If you suspect your cat may have had access to a poisonous substance, it is important to call your team The Pets I Love for assistance immediately. Accurate and timely identification of the suspected substance is very important. Having the container, package, or label in hand will save valuable time and may save the life of your pet.

Here are some common symptoms for feline toxicity:

  • Drooling and Decreased Appetite
  • Vomiting and Diarrhea
  • Tremors, Wobbly and Uncoordinated
  • Seizures

We recommend that all pet parents keep these resources in their phones in case of after-hours accidental pet poisoning:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Pet Poison Hotline: (855) 764-7661

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com

Seizures

Seeing your cat having seizures is scary for any pet parent. A seizure, also known as a convulsion or fit, is a sudden surge in the electrical activity of the brain causing signs such as twitching, shaking, tremors, convulsions, and/or spasms.

If you notice your cat having a seizure but it stops after one to two minutes, give The Pets I Love a call to make an appointment to have your cat seen as soon as possible. If notice your cat having seizures that are short but back-to-back (cluster), or they have more than one, give The Pets I Love a call for an emergency appointment.

The Pets I Love prioritizes your cat’s health and well-being. In case of an emergency, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Our team of experts is available to assist you, and we’re always ready to provide the care and support your cat needs, please give us a call us at 845-395-9200.