Cat Emergency Guide

Emergency Contacts

ASPCA Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661

Urgent Care

Urinary Blockage

Unable to urinate, straining, crying in litter box, abdominal pain

  1. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY
  2. Immediate vet care required - cannot wait
  3. Most common in male cats
  4. Do not wait to see if it resolves
  5. Time is critical - bladder can rupture

Risk Factors:

Male cats, Indoor only, Dry food diet, Overweight

Lily Toxicity

Any exposure to any part of a lily plant (even pollen)

  1. ALL lily exposure is an emergency
  2. Do not wait for symptoms
  3. Take lily sample/photo if possible
  4. Immediate vet care needed
  5. Kidney failure can occur rapidly

High-Rise Syndrome

Fall from height, balcony, or window

  1. Keep cat still and warm
  2. Check breathing and consciousness
  3. Do not give food or water
  4. Immediate vet care needed
  5. Internal injuries may not be visible

String Foreign Body

Swallowed string, ribbon, tinsel, dental floss

  1. Do NOT pull if string visible
  2. Can cause intestinal damage
  3. Keep cat from eating/drinking
  4. Immediate vet attention needed
  5. Surgery often required

Common Issues

Respiratory Distress

Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, blue gums

  1. Keep cat calm and quiet
  2. Minimize handling/stress
  3. Open-mouth breathing is ALWAYS emergency in cats
  4. Seek immediate vet care
  5. Note: Panting is NOT normal in cats

Sudden Paralysis

Unable to use back legs, crying in pain

  1. Keep cat confined and still
  2. Check for feeling in legs/tail
  3. Handle very carefully
  4. Immediate vet care needed
  5. Common in heart disease

Vomiting/Diarrhea

Multiple episodes, lethargy, not eating

  1. Remove food for 12 hours
  2. Provide fresh water
  3. Monitor litter box use
  4. Seek vet care if: blood present, lethargy, continues > 24h

Prevention & Warning Signs

Common Toxins

  • ALL Lilies - even one pollen grain
  • Essential oils
  • Human medications
  • Antifreeze
  • String/ribbon toys
  • Cannabis products

Warning Signs

  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Not eating for > 24 hours
  • Straining in litter box
  • Lethargy/hiding
  • Vomiting multiple times
  • Dragging back legs

Home Safety

  • Screen all windows
  • Secure blind cords
  • No lilies in home
  • Secure medication storage
  • Remove string toys when unsupervised

This guide is for informational purposes only. In case of emergency, always contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency animal hospital.