Introduction

If you’re like me, you probably have a cat that’s a bit of a handful. Whether she’s always tripping over her own paws or knocking over the trash can, she’s just one unpredictable feline. I love my cat dearly, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell if something is wrong with her. That said, I’ve learned there are certain signs that indicate when it’s time for an emergency vet visit — and others that might mean your pet could wait for treatment. Here are some tips on how to handle both situations:

Signs that your cat needs emergency vet attention

A cat that is having a medical emergency needs immediate veterinary care. When deciding whether to bring your cat to the emergency vet, look for these signs:

• Blood in urine or stool
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or respiratory distress (coughing)
• Loss of consciousness, especially if it occurs suddenly
• Severe bleeding from a wound — especially if you cannot stop the bleeding yourself or it is spurting out of a wound

If you can’t get to the vet right away, what should you do?

If you don’t have a vet or an emergency vet, don’t panic! There are still things that can be done right away. Tell the ASPCA or another animal rescue organization that your cat is injured and needs help. They can contact a local vet and tell them to treat your cat, or they will come pick up the cat themselves.

The ASPCA also has advice on how to handle other emergencies involving pets: https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq-animals-and-pets

When is it safe to wait and not take my cat to the emergency vet?

If your cat isn’t showing any signs of pain, bleeding or trouble breathing, it’s usually safe to wait and not take your cat to the emergency vet. If you’re still unsure after checking them over, contact your regular vet and ask for their advice.

If your cat is vomiting or having issues with their neurological function (like difficulty walking), then it’s best to take them to see a vet as soon as possible.

When you know your cat needs to visit the emergency vet

When you know your cat needs to visit the emergency vet, here are some of the situations that might indicate a trip is necessary:

• Your cat is unconscious. If your pet isn’t responsive, it’s time to go see a vet ASAP. This applies even if they’re just sleeping deeply or heavily sedated by medication; their body needs enough oxygen to stay alive and alert them when something’s wrong. If they’ve been injured or poisoned, this can make their condition worse as well.
• Your cat has severe bleeding. You’ll want to get them help immediately if they’re bleeding from anywhere on their body—especially around the head area (which is one of the most sensitive areas in cats), tailbone, paws/toes/feet, anal glands (if swollen), nosebleeds (if profuse), vaginal discharge with blood in it (if profuse) — because this indicates an internal organ issue that may require surgery for repair or removal if too serious and not treated right away.

You know best if your pet needs help. If he doesn’t need immediate care, then be patient until you can get an appointment.

You know your pet better than anyone else. If you have concerns about his condition, or if he appears to be in pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet. If your cat has an injury and doesn’t seem to be getting any worse over time, it’s best to wait until you can get an appointment with a veterinarian rather than rush into an emergency clinic.

Conclusion

The best thing you can do is pay attention to your cat’s behavior and body language. If he is limping or bleeding, then it’s time to head to the vet as soon as possible. If not, then wait until morning when they’ll be open again before calling them.