3 Common Symptoms of a Feline Medical Emergency

Posted on: 27 August 2015

Share

A lot of your cats pre-domestic behaviors are still intact which can certainly make it difficult to know when something is wrong with your feline. Below are three common symptoms in cats dealing with injury and illness and what you should do if your cat is displaying them.

Pacing

Pacing, which is a sign of agitation, is a sign that something might be up with your furry friend, especially if they're generally laid back.

The issue could be stress-related, such as upon the introduction of a new pet into your home, or it could be something far more sinister, such as poisoning. Certain toxins, such as those found in the sweet pea plant, can cause pacing, as well as weakness, head pressing, and seizures if ingested. If your cat is showing any of these signs, immediate attention is necessary as they could have gotten into something poisonous or be suffering from a neurological disorder or illness.

Loss of Appetite

Felines can suffer from upset tummies from time to time just like humans, but loss of appetite for prolonged periods of time usually signals a deeper problem and needs to be handled promptly.

If your cat has lost his appetite, consider whether other symptoms have appeared. If loss of appetite is the main symptom, it could be something as easily treatable as a parasite or as complex as a tumor obstructing the gastrointestinal tract. If you've tried everything to coax your kitty into a small bite here and there but nothing's working, you feline should be seen within 24 hours as symptoms can quickly spiral downwards after prolonged avoidance of food.

Withdrawal

If your usually playful cat is suddenly withdrawn and skittish, you could have a serious issue on your hands.

If nothing stressful or fear-inducing has occurred in your kitty's life as of late, ruling out medical issues should be your next step. Cats don't like to show signs of pain or illness, so if your cat has withdrawn, they may be in too much pain to play it off while wandering around the home as usual. If an injury seems unlikely (no flinching or seeming tender spots), a full workup will likely be done by your veterinarian to rule out all manner of illness, from a simple tummy bug to kidney failure.

It's best to err on the side of caution and bring your kitty in for a checkup for unusual symptoms and behaviors, no matter how small. If your cat is showing any of the symptoms listed above, it's important that you take them to an animal hospital immediately to rule out life-threatening medical problems.