Emergency 3 min read Draft · vet review pending

Is it an emergency?

Cats are experts at hiding pain. By the time you notice something, it may already be serious. If you're unsure, call a vet. That call is never wasted.

Go to a vet now if your cat

Strains to pee and nothing comes out, especially a male cat. A blocked bladder can turn deadly fast.
Struggles to breathe: breathing with its mouth open, neck stretched out, elbows sticking out, or blue-ish gums.
Collapses or can't stand up.
Suddenly drags its back legs and cries out.
Has a seizure lasting over 5 minutes, or several in a row.
Is bleeding heavily, from a wound, its mouth, or in vomit or poo.
Has fallen from a window or balcony, even if it seems fine.
Has chewed a lily (true lilies or daylilies), any part of it.

Call a vet today if your cat

Vomits several times in an hour, or can't keep food or water down
Limps or won't put weight on a leg
Hasn't eaten for a day
Seems to be in a lot of pain: hiding, crying, hunched, not letting you touch it

On the way

Call ahead.
Tell them what happened. They can get ready, or send you somewhere better equipped.
Use a carrier or a box.
A scared, hurt cat may bite or run. Wrap it gently in a towel if you need to.
Keep it calm and quiet.
Cover the carrier with a cloth. No food or water unless the vet says so.
Bring evidence.
The plant it chewed, the packet it got into, a photo of the vomit. Gross, but useful.

Save your nearest 24-hour vet's number in your phone today, before you need it.

Where this comes from

This guide is a draft and hasn't been checked by a vet yet. It's general information, not a diagnosis.