Whether you’re a new cat owner or you’re a pro when it comes to feline care, it’s always important to brush up on information about potential cat health emergencies. In our Houston, TX, emergency animal‘s article below, you’ll find a list of reasons why your cat may need emergency surgery at some point during their life.
Remember that this list does not cover all potential cat health problems, and there are always other possible emergencies that could occur. However, this information can give you a good head start and help you understand more about what to expect from cat ownership and care.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones happen more frequently to male cats, but they can happen to female cats too. They are very serious and can even be life-threatening if left untreated for too long. Additionally, bladder stones (also known as urinary crystals) are very painful for cats who are afflicted by them.
If your cat is crying in pain when they try to urinate, if they strais but nothing comes out, or if they are urinating blood, take them to the emergency vet. The veterinarian will be able to indicate if your cat has bladder stones. If they do have bladder stones, the stones will likely need to be extracted surgically.
Broken Bone
A broken bone should be treated as an emergency in cats just like it would be in humans. A broken bone may require that your cat gets emergency surgery to set the bone and prepare it for recovery.
Broken bones can happen in indoor cats, but they are much more common in outdoor cats. While vehicle accidents are one of the most likely causes of broken bones in cats, other situations can contribute to the risk, too.
Intestinal Blockage
Sometimes, cats may swallow objects that are not food. These objects are difficult to digest and may become lodged in the digestive system, leading to intestinal blockage. This is a very serious and life-threatening emergency. The sooner this problem is treated, the easier it will be for the cat to recover.
If you know or suspect that your cat has swallowed something that could be causing an intestinal blockage, go to the emergency vet right away. You should never wait to see your regular vet for this condition, as it may become fatal in a very short amount of time.
Airway Obstruction
Airway obstruction is another serious emergency in cats that should be treated with surgery. Cats will be surgically treated to remove the blockage from the airway and will be given supplemental oxygen to help with their breathing until this procedure can be performed.
If your cat is having trouble breathing, whether or not you know if they have inhaled something that is blocking their airway, take them to the emergency vet. The underlying cause of their trouble breathing could be a simple fix, but it may require emergency surgery to correct.
Eye Trauma
Eye trauma almost always requires emergency surgery. The sooner you get your cat to the emergency vet following an eye injury, the greater the chance will be that they can retain some or all of their vision. If you wait too long to get emergency treatment for eye trauma, the cat could lose their eye.
Eye trauma is more likely to occur in outdoor cats, but even indoor cats may be at risk. If you have multiple animals in your home, a fight could go wrong and lead to eye injury. On the other hand, even a solo cat in a household could risk an eye injury from playing with household objects they shouldn’t.
Head Injuries
Depending on the type of head injury in question, medical management is typically emergently required. Surgical intervention may be required after medical management.
If your cat has been involved in an accident or an attack from another animal, go to the emergency vet right away. The emergency vet can check for signs of head injury as well as for signs of internal bleeding, both of which will need to be treated and possibly corrected through emergency surgery.
Our Houston, TX, Emergency Vets Are Here for Your Cat’s Emergency Surgery
The sooner you respond appropriately to an emergency situation with your pet, the easier it will be for them to potentially fully recover.
If your cat is not dealing with an emergency right now, however, just remember that it’s important to keep this information in mind. Even if your cat goes their whole life never needing emergency surgery, you can feel more peace of mind knowing that you understand how to recognize these problems before they get out of hand.
If your cat is experiencing an emergency that may require surgery, please come to our Houston, TX, emergency animal hospital right away. We’re open 24/7 and our veterinarians are dedicated in providing quality and compassionate care to your cat.
