4 Cat Symptoms Best Handled by a Pet Emergency Hospital

A pet emergency can be defined as anything that happens to your pet which requires immediate medical care. Because you might not be exactly sure what constitutes a true pet emergency, you could accidentally overlook some signs in your pet that are signaling the need for help. Here is a list of 4 symptoms in which you should take your cat to a pet emergency hospital.

1. Coughing up Blood

This can often be an alarming signal to a cat owner that something is drastically wrong, and you should seek emergency care right away. Any time that blood exits the body, it has to come from somewhere. It often indicates that there is a leak somewhere or that some vital organ or structure of your cat is bleeding internally. Whatever is causing your cat to cough up blood needs to be stopped immediately. Not only is the condition that caused it extremely dangerous, but too much blood loss can lead to shock or coma.

2. Difficulty Breathing

If your cat is having trouble breathing, you need to take him to an emergency care clinic right away. When your cat is exhibiting breathing difficulties, it inevitably means that your cat is not getting enough oxygen into his bloodstream. Because the body needs oxygen to survive, it will not be long before your cat collapses from oxygen deprivation. Without oxygen, stroke, coma and lung collapse are real possibilities.

3. Disorientation

If your cat is losing coordination, stumbling and acting in a dazed and confused state, this is a real cause for alarm. Most cases of disorientation can either be related to the possibility of a tumor in the brain or a lack of oxygen to the brain. The brain and inner ear structures are what control coordination, balance and awareness. If these functions begin to go off track, you need to have your cat examined immediately. Any type of infection, tumor or lack of oxygen to the brain is a serious emergency and should be treated as such.

4. Seizures

Seizures are a symptom of an underlying condition of either the brain or of the nervous system. The brain is responsible for coordinating all functions between it and the nervous system. It tells the nervous system how to react and what to do in cases of stress or pain.

If tumors are present in the brain, it can cause the nerves in the brain to be pressured and in turn can create seizures. Many other conditions, such as diabetes and low blood sugar can trigger the effects of seizures, as well. Most of the time seizures are not fatal, but there is the rare possibility that it could put your cat into a state of shock and eventually cause death.

All of these situations require the use of immediate medical intervention. Because these symptoms can be life-threatening, you don't have time to waste trying to get an appointment with your veterinarian. Likewise, your vet may not be equipped to handle such extreme emergencies. Whenever any of these situations arise, you should always take your cat to a pet emergency hospital.

 

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