emergency


	*Injuries and WHEN to See Your Veterinarian.*
	The following are tips to learn how to distinguish a minor affliction from a true emergency and how to address the situation. This information is NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your cat to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your cat's symptoms with any of your concerns about the cat's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your cat's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.
	*You should seek immediate veterinary care if your cat:*
	has been hit by a vehicle (even without obvious injury) has suffered any type of traumatic injury (i.e., cat fight, fall from heights, sudden lameness), or,even in the absence of obvious injury, has survived any type of traumatic event (such as being a passenger in a vehicle that was in an accident)
	has any sign of dehydration or shock has been throwing up food or clear liquid regularly over a 24 hour period has food poisoning or ingested any toxic material has lost consciousness even briefly, regardless of the cause is bleeding uncontrollably (even after ice and/or pressure is applied)
	has difficulty walking has difficulty breathing has difficulty urinating (strains or cries when urinating, unable to void urine or has bloody urine) has diarrhea with blood.
	Make an appointment to be seen within twenty-four (24) hours if your cat: seems to be in minor discomfort (i.e., chews his feet, scratches more than usual, limps a bit) has an already recognized medical condition of any kind and is showing physcial changes or is behaving unusually is currently on any medication and is showing physical changes or is behaving unusually has a minor traumatic injury that initially responds to your first aid
	has difficulty seeing (squinting, tearing, discharge, itchiness) from one or both eyes has difficulty defecating (strains or vocalizes when attempting to defecate, absence of stools for more than twenty-four hours, small amount of blood on formed stools) or has diarrhea. Trust your instincts. Acting quickly may prevent a minor emergency from escalating into a major problem. The most single important thing to do to prevent an emergency is to call your vet as soon as you detect a problem with your cat.
	*Approaching a Frightened or Injured Cat* Don't feel that your perception of a potential problem involving your pet is only imaginary or unimportant. One of the greatest frustrations of veterinary practice is being confronted with a problem that the cat has endured for an unnecessarily long time. Some conditions become increasingly difficult to treat even after just a few days are allowed to pass. It is never inappropriate to call and speak to your veterinarian. The vet's primary concern, like yours, is the well-being of your cat.
	A conscious injured cat will be in extreme fear and possibly react with aggression. Pain or disability he may be experiencing will further amplify his anxiety. Pain and confusion may lead to his panic. To approach an injured cat, crouch down and slowly advance avoiding direct eye contact. A cat in poor physical condition and unable to defend himself may perceive this as a threat. Instead, avert your gaze to a point slightly past the cat's shoulder. Keep your voice soft and soothing. Pets learn to become expert judges of human moods by our body language and verbal intonations. If you project an image of anxiety and panic, the vulnerable cat will become even more defensive.
	Drop a large towel or blanket over the cat, especially over his head and front paws. Quickly and firmly envelop the cat in your arms with the towel rolled around and beneath his body to minimize contact of his claws with your skin. You can transfer him to a pillow case if he's not severely injured, or better yet, transport your patient in the towel/blanket make-shift "bag." If you feel unable to safely approach the victim or if you lack the confidence to offer assistance, get help. At the nearest phone, call a friend, an animal shelter, animal control officer, or a vet for their advice and possible intervention at the scene.
	*Breathing*
	Small cats breathe faster than large ones and the rate of any cat's breathing will increase after excerise and during stress. The normal respiratory rate is approximately 20-30 breaths per minute. To count the respiratory frequency, count either the number of times the cat inhales (chest rises) or exhales (chest falls) over a 60 second period. A shortcut is to count over a 30 second interval and multiply by two (respirations/minute). An easy way to monitor breathing is to place your hand lightly on the cat's chest over the ribs midway between the forearm and abdomen to feel the breathing motions.
	Normal respiration through the nostrils is almost silent unless the cat has a short muzzle and restricted nostrils such as a Persian. In open-mouthed breathing (cats who are very hot, stressed or have cardiopulmonary disease), the breathing sounds are more audible. A wheezing sound may indicate a restricted airway. A gurgling sound with each respiration is suggestive of some type of fluid in the respiratory system. It is important to report to your vet the breathing sound - harsh, heavier than usual, yellow or bloody discharge from the nostrils, etc.
	The breathing movements may appear forced and erratic. The greater the difficulty encountered with each breath, the more likely the cat will pant with his mouth open. His facial expression may reflex his anxiety. The abdomen may appear to pump up and down as the chest heaves. This is called costoabdominal respiration and is not normal breathing.
	*Heartbeat*
	The normal feline heart rate (cardiac frequency) ranges between 110-140 beats per minute. The heartbeat of young kittens, however, may beat as fast as 200 beats. The rate depends on a number of factors: size of the cat, age, physical fitness, and emotional state. The heart rate will increase when the body temperature rises due to fever or when the blood pressure falls due to shock. Some diseases, such as hyperthyroidism will also increase the resting heart rate. Internal hemorrhage may initially trigger an increase in heart rate as the body tries to stabilize itself, but if it can't compensate for an important loss of blood volume, the heart rate may drop. To monitor the cat's heart rate, lay the cat on his right side, bend his left elbow on the forearm slightly by pressing back against his paw. The elbow will lie just in front of the heart in this position. Rest your hand lightly on his chest wall behind the left elbow to feel the heart beat. To measure cardiac frequency, count the frequency over 30 seconds, then muliply by two to obtain the heart rate per minute.
	*Shock*
	Shock is a physiological phenomenon that results in cardiovascular collapse. Unfortunately, although its function is to defend vital organ systems in an emergency, a cat can die of the consequences of shock before he succumbs to the effects of his injuries. Gum color and capillary refill, mental status (alert, sluggish, comatose), heart rate and body temperature are all important reflections of the state of shock. To evaluate signs of shock, the cat's cardiovascular system must be assessed. This is done by physical examination that you can do at the scene of an emergency. One of the basic signs of shock is a slower capillary refill time. To evaluate the capillary refill: Lift the side of the cat's mouth to expose the gums. Gently but firmly press one finger into the gums for one to two seconds (pressure of your finger blocks blood circulation beneath your finger tip so that the gums appear pale) and remove your finger. Observe how long it takes for the blanched zone to regain a normal pink color or return to the same appearance of the gums around it (anything slower than two seconds is a sign of a problem). Warning: The cat may be in early shock and have normal gum color. Do not dismiss the severity of the cat's condition even if he doesn't seem in shock at the time - take her to the vet to be certain that no treatment is necessary. It is most important to note the cat's mental staus. If the cat seems sluggish, slow to repond or is lethargic and confused, transport to a vet immediately. If the cat is unconscious, do not waste time by examining her for more minor signs of shock.
	The normal feline heart rate (cardiac frequency) ranges between 110-140 beats per minute. The heartbeat of young kittens, however, may beat as fast as 200 beats. The rate depends on a number of factors: size of the cat, age, physical fitness, and emotional state. The heart rate will increase when the body temperature rises due to fever or when the blood pressure falls due to shock. Some diseases, such as hyperthyroidism will also increase the resting heart rate. Internal hemorrhage may initially trigger an increase in heart rate as the body tries to stabilize itself, but if it can't compensate for an important loss of blood volume, the heart rate may drop. To monitor the cat's heart rate, lay the cat on his right side, bend his left elbow on the forearm slightly by pressing back against his paw. The elbow will lie just in front of the heart in this position. Rest your hand lightly on his chest wall behind the left elbow to feel the heart beat. To measure cardiac frequency, count the frequency over 30 seconds, then muliply by two to obtain the heart rate per minute.
	*First Aid Kit*
	The following items are easily found at pharmacies or wherever over-the-counter drugs are sold. Store the items in a moisture proof container that is easily accessible in an emergency, but out of reach of children and pets. Include a list of emergency telephone numbers on an index card. Laminate the card or place it in a plastic cover. Make a duplicate kit to keep in your vehicle in case of emergencies while travelling. When travelling with your cat, research the availability of emergency veterinarians to and at your destination. The better prepared you are, the less likely you will panic in emergency situations.
	Two rolls of gauze: one roll 2" wide, one 3-4" wide White surgical tape: 1" in width Two rolls of elastic wrap: one roll 2" wide, one 3-4" wide One roll of cotton battin 12" in width An emergency ice pack
	A bottle of one percent (1%) hydrogen peroxide A box of exam gloves A pillow case - for transporting the ill or injured cat> A blanket - for warmth A towel - for a splint
	A bottle of saline eye wash Two rectal thermometers A pair of blunt-tipped scissors A pair of tweezers A flashlight
	A bottle of antihistamine A box of baking soda
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