Search Results
109 results for “cat emergency”
Dog Is Bloated but Not Defecating — What to Do
A dog with a swollen belly that will not pass stool is usually constipated, but the underlying reason matters: it could be simple indigestion, a bowel blocked by a swallowed object, too little exercise, or a painful condition that makes the dog hold back. Matching the cause to the fix prevents a minor issue from becoming an emergency. This guide lists the common causes and the practical steps—water, probiotics, exercise, and portion control—that get things moving again.
Why Your Cat Licks You (and When to Stop It)
A cat that licks you is usually showing love, asking for food or a clean box, marking you with its scent for security, or telling you it's unwell. But the barbed tongue can abrade your skin into red patches, and a cat's mouth carries bacteria including Bartonella (cat-scratch disease, from fleas/ticks), which can pass through tiny unseen wounds. Stop licking promptly, separate the cat at night, or use a scent it dislikes. If licked, wash 15 minutes with soap and running water, disinfect with dilute iodine, and see a doctor for visible breaks—watching for rabies too.
Why Does My Cat Foam at the Mouth After Taking Medicine?
It can be alarming to see your cat drool foamy saliva right after a dose of medication. In most cases this is a normal defensive reaction rather than a medical emergency. Cat medicines are usually bitter and lack the sugar coating found on many human pills, so the unpleasant taste alone can trigger gagging and vomiting. Some drugs are also physically irritating to the stomach lining, especially when given on an empty stomach. Understanding the two main causes—bitterness and gastric irritation—helps you give medicine more comfortably and know when foaming is simply a passing reaction versus a sign you should slow down and check with your veterinarian.
Common Plants That Are Toxic to Cats
If you share your home with a cat, it is safest to skip houseplants, because most are toxic to cats. This guide lists common dangerous plants: lilies (every part is dangerous), lily-of-the-valley (roots are deadly), ivy (leaves and stems irritate the mouth and kidneys), azalea (gastrointestinal and pneumonia risk), daffodils (the whole plant is toxic and can cause convulsions), and poinsettia (burns the mouth and eyes). If your cat eats any toxic plant, get it to a vet immediately. Keep plants out of reach, separate them from your cat, and watch for chew marks.
Cat Scratch Disease: A Zoonosis You Should Know
Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection from Bartonella henselae, passed mainly by a cat's scratch or bite. Cats carry it without symptoms, but people can develop a red bump, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Most cases are mild and self-limiting, yet antibiotics help when symptoms are strong. Wash any scratch well, and see a doctor if signs appear—especially for children and the immunocompromised.
My cat normally urinates fine but tonight couldn’t in the litter box, then peed on my bed — seems unable to hold it
These signs suggest urinary blockage, likely from a urinary tract issue (urethritis, cystitis, stones, kidney disease). This is an emergency — get to a vet quickly, as blockage can cause kidney failure fast.
Sepsis in Dogs and Cats
Sepsis is a whole-body infection that arises when bacteria and their toxins spread from a local source such as a wound, burn, or urinary infection. It causes high fever, collapse, and organ damage, and is life-threatening without prompt care.
Shock in Dogs and Cats
Shock is acute circulatory failure that leaves vital organs starved of oxygen. It can follow severe disease, trauma, or poisoning, and shows as pale gums, weakness, cold extremities, and collapse. Treating the underlying cause is the foundation of recovery.
Snake Bite Envenomation in Dogs and Cats
Snake envenomation occurs when a venomous snake bites a dog or cat, injecting toxin that can paralyze muscles, damage the heart, and stop breathing. Cobra-class bites can cause rapid heart failure and death. Immediate first aid and antivenom are vital.
Bee and Wasp Stings in Dogs and Cats
Bee and wasp stings inject venom that causes local swelling, pain, and bruising. Severe reactions can bring collapse, breathing failure, and even death. Removing the stinger and veterinary care for whole-body signs are key.