Common Emergencies and Your Cat

No matter how carefully a playful kitten is supervised, accidents do happen.  Even an older cat can be the victim of an accident. When an emergency does occur, taking the cat to a veterinary facility for immediate treatment is recommended.  The following suggestions are to help the cat owner identify the nature of the emergency as well as steps that can be taken to aid the cat if prompt veterinary care is not available.

In an emergency, try to remain calm and think clearly. Approach your injured cat in a quiet, non-threatening manner and speak in a soothing tone of voice. If possible, ask someone to help you with emergency measures because a cat is usually not a cooperative patient.

If a cat is injured or difficult to handle, the best way to carry it to the veterinarian is to wrap it in a folded blanket or a small rug. Extreme pain can cause even the most placid cat to become difficult to manage.  A cat with a suspected fracture can also be transported to the veterinarian in a carrying case, cardboard box, or even a litter pan.

Covering the cat with a blanket, shirt or jacket is also recommended to conserve its body heat.  When an animal is severely hurt or ill, and especially if it becomes unconscious, the mechanisms that maintain and conserve body temperature fail to function properly. Without prompt treatment shock and death may result.
 
Burns

If a cat suffers minor or major burns, immediate veterinary treatment is necessary. In the case minor burns, keep the burn covered with cool compresses – never use ice – as you get the cat to the veterinarian’s office.
In the case of major burns, protect the burn with a thick layer of gauze or cloth, cover the cat with a blanket and get veterinary treatment as soon as possible.

Cautions:  Do not apply antiseptic ointments, butter, margarine, or any other product unless advised to do so by your veterinarian.

Never use cotton balls or cotton batting to cover any type of burn since particles of cotton will stick to damaged skin.
 
Cuts and Bites

In cats, most skin wounds do not bleed profusely unless a larger underlying blood vessel is opened. Excessive manipulation can lead to further injury to the cat or injury to owner.  Getting the cat to your veterinarian as fast as possible is recommended.

If a cat receives a wound that results in deep bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound and rush the cat to a veterinarian.  If prompt veterinary treatment is not possible, apply a sterile bandage or clean gauze or cloth directly over the wound.  Bandage the area firmly with a two- to three-inch gauze roll or strips of clean cloth made from a sheet or soft material. Secure the bandage in place with adhesive, electrical or masking tape, or by tying the gauze or cloth.

Avoid frequent removal of the bandage to check the wound because bleeding may start again.  In applying a bandage, avoid excessive manipulation of the cat, which can lead to additional injury.
 
Electric Shock

The tendency of a playful cat, and particularly a kitten who is teething, to chew on electrical cords can result in electric shock. Evidence of this injury is burning of the corners of the mouth and possibly lip folds, and burns of the tongue and palate. The cat may also salivate profusely and have problems breathing.  A severe electric shock can result in unconsciousness or death.

Caution: Never touch an animal that is touching an exposed electric wire. Turn off the current and then use a dry stick to get the cat away from the wire.  Get veterinary help as fast as possible.
 
Heat Stroke

Heat stroke most commonly occurs in cats left in poorly ventilated or closed cars exposed to the sun.  Unavailability of drinking water, excessive exercise or excitement may also be a cause.

Symptoms include open-mouthed breathing, uncontrollable panting, drooling or foaming at the mouth, gums and tongue turning bluish or gray.  Act quickly to reduce body temperature.  Submerge the stricken cat in cool water (do not submerge its head) or spray with a gentle stream from a hose.  Ice packs may be applied to the head or neck.

Prompt veterinary care is needed to prevent brain damage, or in some cases, death.
 
Frostbite

Very young, old or debilitated cats are the most prone to frostbite, possibly because they are less able to seek shelter when exposed to the extreme cold.  The pads of the feet, the tail, and the tips of the ears are the most to be affected. The skin becomes pale, then reddens and becomes hot and painful to the touch.  Swelling may occur. The hair may fall out and the superficial layers of the skin may peel.

If a cat experiences frostbite, take it to a warm place immediately. Thaw out the frostbitten areas slowly.  Do not apply hot applications and do not rub or massage frozen tissues. This may cause further damage or loss of tissue.  Warm the affected areas by using warm moist towels that are changed frequently.

Discontinue warming as soon as the affected tissues become flushed.  Wrap the cat in a blanket to conserve its body heat.

Antiseptic cream or Vaseline may be used to protect the skin once the skin is thawed. A veterinarian should check the extent of the damage as soon as possible.

A cat that has suffered frostbite should be protected from further exposure to the cold.  Frostbitten tissues are more susceptible to repeated freezing.
 
Poison

Many kinds of poisons from many sources can kill cats. Sometimes the poisoning occurs when a cat consumes a toxic substance.  Other times it is the result of a cat’s self-grooming and ingesting poison. For example, a cat may walk through a rodent tracking powder, a petroleum product or antifreeze and consequent consumption of the toxic substance occurs during grooming. Still other poisons may be absorbed through the skin, particularly petroleum-based chemicals or coal-tar products.

Unless the cat has been seen consuming the poison, it may be difficult to diagnose the cause as rapidly as is desirable. Prevention is the best means of protecting your cat.

The following information is by no means complete as it lists some of the more common poisons. It is presented as an alert to keep toxic substances away from cats and to help you assess a situation in which you think your cat may have been accidentally poisoned.

Here are examples of potentially toxic products found in the home:

Cleaning and household supplies: ammonia, bleach, cleaning fluids, and disinfectants, drain cleaner, soaps and detergents mothballs and matches.

Garage Items: gasoline, kerosene, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze.  Many cats are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze and lap it up when it is spilled on the ground or not properly stored.

Agricultural products: insecticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fungicides, snail or slug bait, worm and mollusk toxicants, and plant growth hormones.

Workshop supplies: paints, paint thinners and removers, wood preservative and mineral spirits.

Medicines: aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol and other similar products), diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, laxatives and rubbing alcohol.

Cosmetics: deodorants, hair coloring, nail polish and remover, permanent wave lotion, suntan lotion, hair spray and perfumes.

Other hazards: scrapings from lead-based paints; contaminated food; water from toilet bowls, especially if chemically treated.

To protect a cat from accidental poisoning store products found around the home in inaccessible containers, properly disposed of empty containers and clean up spills promptly.
 
Dangerous Plants

The list of plants potentially dangerous to cats is long.  Some of the more common plants that can be poisonous to cats are:

Dieffenbachia, philodendron and caladium cause throat irritation and will burn the throat just as much coming up as going down.  Do not induce vomiting and seek veterinary treatment.

English ivy, iris, amaryllis, daffodil and tulip (especially the bulbs) cause gastric irritation and sometimes central nervous system excitement followed by coma and, in severe cases, death.  Induce vomiting and seek veterinary treatment.

Foxglove, lily of the valley, oleander, monkshood and larkspur can be life threatening because the cardiovascular system is affected.

Another danger for cats is a new class of rodenticides, which cause organ failure, and eats through soft tissue calcification. The kidneys, heart and lungs are vulnerable to calcification. Signs of this kind of poisoning vary with the organs most affect. They include twitching, nausea, and vomiting blood.
The best protection against rodenticide poisoning is to use safety baits in a rodent control program.  If tracking powders are used, keep all pets and children away from the area.

The different species of yew are also toxic because they affect the nervous system.  If any of these are ingested, get the cat to a veterinarian immediately.  Remember – you are dealing with a life-threatening emergency.
 
Poison By Inhalation

Cats are vulnerable to the following gases if inhaled: ammonia, carbon monoxide, fumes from heating or cooking gas. A cat suffering from poisoning by inhalation may exhibit weakness and dizziness, breathing difficulties, and bright red lips and tongue.  Get the cat into fresh air as quickly as possible. Prompt veterinary treatment is essential.
 
The Dangers of Rodenticides

Rodenticides pose another danger to cats.  Most rodenticides are formulated for use as toxic baits or tracking powders. When well designed, the baits are attractive to rodents and have little potential for direct ingestion by cats.  However, secondary poisoning may result when a cat catches and ingests a poisoned rodent.

Tracking powders are a direct threat to cats.  The powders adhere to the paws and the haircoat of the cat and are ingested when the cat grooms itself.

If you observe your cat ingesting tracking powder, consult your veterinarian immediately.  If, for any reason, this is not possible, check the package label for information concerning antidotes.  If the label does not provide this information, induce vomiting with ½ teaspoon ipecac syrup and bathe the cat to remove tracking powder remaining on its body.

Many of the rodenticides contain anticoagulant (blood thinning) chemicals. When ingested by a cat, life-threatening hemorrhaging can result.  Signs of anticoagulant poisoning include weakness; blood in the urine or stools, bleeding gums and nose bleed.  However, it can take several days before any of these signs are apparent, depending on the quantity ingested and the time period of ingestion.  If your cat exhibits any of these signs, prompt treatment by your veterinarian is essential.
 
Symptoms

General symptoms of poison by ingestion include pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or collapse. Burns around the mouth, lips and tongue indicate that an acid or alkali such as drain cleaner or paint thinner has been swallowed or the cat has suffered an electric shock. An abnormal odor to the cat’s breath, coughing or bloody vomitus occur when a petroleum product such as kerosene or gasoline has been swallowed.
If the poison is an acid, alkali or petroleum product, do not induce vomiting.

If the cat has swallowed medicine, cosmetic or other noncorrosives, an emetic such as syrup of  ipecac can be used to induce vomiting.

Mental confusion, vomiting and eventual collapse are symptoms of antifreeze poisoning. All cases of antifreeze poisoning require immediate treatment by a veterinarian if the cat is to survive.
 
High-Rise Syndrome

The city cat frequently encounters a hazard described as High-Rise Syndrome (HRS).  This occurs when cats fall from great heights, particularly during warm weather when they seek an open window.  In high-rise apartment buildings, HRS has occurred when a window is left open with a screen or the screen is insecurely fastened. Other accidents happen when an air conditioner is removed from the window for cleaning or repair. Balconies also are a danger. A cat may fall from a balcony rail as it chases an insect.

If a cat is a victim of HRS, it may be suffering from internal injuries as well as fractures.  Move the cat as little as possible. Pick it up gently be the scruff of the neck from behind (so it cannot claw you) and support its rear quarters to lessen pressure on internal injuries.  If the cat is clam and lying on its side, lift it gently with one hand under the chest and the other hand under the hips. Avoid twisting the body. Carefully lay the cat on a towel in a carrier or a cardboard box. Cover and wrap it in a coat or blanket and transport it on a flat surface to your veterinarian or the nearest animal emergency clinic.
 
Choking

A curious cat or playful kitten may become a choking victim when bones, string or other objects become lodged in the cat’s throat. If this occurs, he may paw at his mouth, gag and drool.  Unconsciousness may follow if complete obstruction persists.

Be careful to avoid being bitten.  If possible, have someone help you. Hold the cat upside down; press his chest with both hands until the object pops out.

Caution: Never attempt to remove string, thread or a needle to which a thread could be attached.  These kinds of obstructions should be removed by a veterinarian. If a linear object such as string or thread is lodged with one end in the mouth and the other end in the stomach an intestines, the material can cut through the walls of the intestines.

If the cat is unconscious, open his mouth and look for the obstruction.  Remove it with needle-nose pliers. If you cannot do this, rush the cat to your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic.

In rural areas, remember that rabies can also cause signs of choking.  Use great caution in handling a cat who is not known to you.

Be Prepared

Saving time is crucial in any emergency. It is best to think the unthinkable and be prepared. Keep information concerning emergency contacts for your cat near your telephone and in your billfold. This information should include the telephone number and address of your veterinarian, the closest pet emergency clinic that has night and weekend hours, as well as telephone numbers for local poison control centers.  If you should have to rush your cat to your veterinarian, telephone first to be certain he or she will be in the office to receive your cat.

In the case of poisoning or suspected poisoning, if possible, bring a sample of the poison to the veterinarian in it original container, or a portion of any ingested plant or berry, or any vomitus.

If you cannot reach a veterinarian immediately, contact the nearest poison control center or the Animal Toxicology Hotline, 217-333-3611.
 
Change May Be A Danger Signal

When you have observed your cat being exposed to a poisonous substance or you see tell-tale evidence that your cat has been exposed to poison, evaluation of your cat and treatment, if needed, by your veterinarian is essential.

However, signs of certain poisons may not occur immediately, but may be observed several hours later.  For your cats’s good health, seek treatment by your veterinarian whenever you observe signs of illness.
 
Insect Bites and Stings

Insect bites and stings can cause a mild or severe reaction depending upon the potency of the venom and the sensitivity of the victim. Spider bites most often occur on the front paws or face of the cat. Swelling and reddening of the skin occur at the site of the bite.

Gastrointestinal upsets and nervousness are indications of a toxic reaction and the cat should receive immediate treatment by a veterinarian.

Inquisitive kittens and young cats are most often the victims of bee or wasp stings. The sting site will be red and swollen and the stinger may still be in the cat’s skin.  The stinger should be carefully removed and cold compresses applied to the wound site.  A paste of baking soda and water will help relieve irritation and itching.  Severe cases may require treatment by a veterinarian.

If the sting is in the mouth, swelling within the mouth, tongue or throat can block air passages.  Prompt veterinary treatment is essential.
 
Purina Nutrition Research

Feline nutrition studies began at the Purina Pet Care Center in 1950.  The 12-building Purina Pet Care Center complex is located on a 337-acre campus 45 miles southwest of St. Louis.  Over 700 cats and 900 dogs are in residence at the Pet Care Center. It is the oldest and largest facility of its kind in the world devoted exclusively to pet nutrition and care research.  Kittens and puppies not needed for nutrition studies are made available for adoption by Ralston Purina Company employees, their families and friends.
 
 

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