Cats are experts at keeping their illnesses a secret, so by the time they appear sick, the condition is usually past the point of no return. Lethargy and loss of appetite can be indicators of severe health issues that need to be seen immediately by a veterinarian. The sooner a cat’s condition is diagnosed and treated, the better it will be for the cat; a simple problem may be turned into a lifesaving intervention.
Signs That Demand Immediate Attention
Respiratory Distress
Cats that are experiencing difficulty breathing (rapid rate >40 breaths/min) and/or open mouthed panting have developed respiratory distress that requires oxygen therapy within a short period of time. Asthma, pneumonia, heart failure and fluid accumulation are all potential causes of respiratory distress that can lead to permanent lung damage if left untreated. Cardiac arrest can occur when respiratory distress is ignored or delayed.
Urethral Obstruction
The male cat who is straining in his litter box and/or crying after urination is likely experiencing a urethral obstruction. Within 24-48 hours, toxins will begin to accumulate in the bloodstream and cause renal failure if not addressed with emergency catheterization. Female cats can also exhibit similar signs related to bladder stones or urinary tract infections — both of which require emergency catheterization as well.
Neurological Emergency
Any change in a cat’s neurological function is an emergency — seizures, head tilt, circling or sudden weakness of the rear legs indicate a blood clot (saddle thrombus), toxin or tumor. Without the rapid administration of clot busters, the blood clot will continue to cut off circulation to the affected area and will eventually cause necrosis of the tissue.
Gastrointestinal Crisis
Vomiting large amounts of material, profusely bloody diarrhea and/or abdominal pain are all indicative of gastrointestinal crises caused by foreign objects, pancreatitis or parvovirus. Since dehydration occurs rapidly in cats, diagnostic tests such as X-rays will quickly determine whether there is an obstruction present. If pale gums are visible, it indicates the presence of internal bleeding.
Ocular/Nasal Discharge
Visible ocular or nasal discharges, squinting or the third eyelid protruding are all indicative of ocular and/or nasal infections, herpesvirus or tumors. Vaginal discharge in spayed female cats is often thick and white and can be indicative of pyometra — uterine infection that has become septic. Antibiotics should be administered early to prevent further spread of the disease.
Diagnostic Techniques Used In Feline Veterinary Care
Important Components of a Physical Examination
Veterinarians use skin turgor (hydration) to evaluate dehydration status, and the moisture level and color of a cat’s mucous membranes to determine hydration status (normal = pink and moist). Palpation of the abdomen is used to check for masses and/or to evaluate for abdominal pain. Elevated body temperature more than 103° F, or low body temperature below 99° F, will trigger the need for blood work. The physical examination process also includes evaluation of heart sounds and lung sounds to identify abnormal sounds such as murmur, crackle, etc., at an early stage.
Diagnostic Blood Tests
A complete blood count will reveal elevated white blood cell counts indicating infection, decreased red blood cell counts indicating anemia, and increased lymphocyte counts indicating leukemia. A chemistry panel can identify kidney dysfunction by elevating creatinine/BUN levels, diabetes mellitus through increased glucose levels, and liver disease by identifying increases in liver enzyme levels. Blood tests for thyroid hormone can identify hyperthyroidism in cats that are eating voraciously, losing weight and have lost their coat.
Radiographic Imaging
An abdominal ultrasound will allow you to visualize internal organs and diagnose issues with the bladder such as stones, mass lesions and thickening of the intestinal walls. Radiographs (X-rays) will help identify issues with bowel obstruction, fractures, and cardiomegaly. Advanced imaging techniques (CT and MRI) are available for diagnosing neurological disorders such as stroke or brain abscesses which cannot be seen using standard radiography.
Urinalysis and Bacterial Culture
The specific gravity of your cat’s urine is evaluated to determine if it is able to concentrate its urine normally. Proteinuria or hematuria indicate renal damage. Urinary tract infections may require bacterial culture and sensitivity testing to select an appropriate antibiotic for treatment of recurrent infections.
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Why Early Assessment Saves a Cat’s Life
Stopping Chain Reactions of Complication
A kidney infection will become life-threatening sepsis if culture is delayed. A dental infection can travel through the bloodstream to cause an infected heart valve known as endocarditis. Undiagnosed hyperthyroidism will lead to the thickening of your cat’s heart muscle leading to a potentially fatal stroke. Blood work early in the assessment process will prevent multi-organ failure.
Reducing Costs and Suffering
Emergency vascular blockages cost thousands of dollars and have guarded prognoses while routine urinalysis can prevent at a tiny fraction of that cost. Chronic vomiting due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease may respond to dietary changes pre-obstruction and annual wellness visits will catch silent killers such as FIV/FeLV through rapid testing.
Behavioral Masking
Cats mask their pain exceptionally well. Lethargy can appear as if the pet is just sleeping. Weight loss can appear as if the pet is “finicky”. As bonded owners, you will likely see your pets signs of illness long before they show up in diagnostics. For example, white discharge from the eyes can indicate viral carrier status and white discharge from the vagina can indicate a potentially life threatening infection.
Preventative Monitoring Checklist
Daily Owner Observation
- Count your pets resting breaths (normal is 20-30 per minute)
- Check your pets gums (should be pink, moist and have a quick capillary refill)
- Monitor your pet’s water intake/output ratio
- Weigh your pet once a week for silent weight loss
- Note how often your pet uses the litter box and what volume it produces
- Triage Prioritization System
- Immediately take your pet to an emergency room if there is breathing difficulty, no urination for more than 12 hours, seizures, collapsing, etc.
- If your pet has vomiting more than 2 times, bloody stool, cloudy eyes, paralysis, etc., go to an urgent care center within 24 hours.
- Routine follow-up soon: appetite decreased by more than 50% for 48 hours, weight loss, unusual discharge, limping, etc.
Conclusion
The silent signals of a distressed cat require an attentive owner to understand the subtle signs of distress. When your cat displays rapid breathing, straining while urinating, seizures, or unusual discharge you need to seek out diagnostic tests (e.g., blood work, imaging studies, culture) to determine the root cause that can be treated.
The sooner the diagnosis is made the less likely complications will arise, which will save money, restore your pet to its former self, and provide years of a healthy happy companion.
Do not let your cat fall into collapse before seeking help from a veterinarian who can evaluate your cat on time and make a plan to address the issue and turn a warning sign into a successful treatment outcome.
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