Cat Emergencies That Can Be Treated at Home, and Those That Can't

If you own a cat who is anxious or fractious, who doesn’t like going in their carrier or who has a fear of the vet, you are by no means alone. Many UK owners struggle to get timely veterinary care for their cat as it is a battle to get them into the clinic. Thankfully, in many emergency situations, a home visit will be an option.

Key takeaways

• A visiting emergency vet can treat many feline emergencies in your home, including vomiting and diarrhoea with mild dehydration, cat bite abscesses and minor wounds, cystitis without a blockage, eye injuries, insect stings and mild allergic reactions
• Some emergencies need a hospital: urinary blockage in male cats, breathing difficulty or heart failure, sudden hind leg paralysis from a blood clot, lily, permethrin and antifreeze poisoning, and major trauma, seizures or collapse
• Anything that needs oxygen, ongoing intravenous fluids, surgery, X-rays or an ultrasound scan has to be done in a clinic, so those cats should go straight in rather than wait for a home visit
• If you are unsure which your cat needs, call an emergency vet: they can triage over the phone, and a home visit can be converted into a hospital admission if the examination shows your cat needs more

Can a Vet Really Treat a Cat Emergency at Home?

A number of urgent and concerning situations can be dealt with by a vet who comes to see your cat in your house.

What an At-Home Emergency Vet Can Do

At-home emergency vets can perform thorough examinations, provide medicine, perform humane euthanasia and may also be able to run certain diagnostic tests, such as blood tests.

When a Cat Still Needs a Hospital

If a cat requires oxygen, ongoing fluids or surgery, then it is usually best that they are first seen in the clinic. Similarly, those who require investigations including X-rays or ultrasound scans, typically need to be brought in.

Can a Vet Really Treat a Cat Emergency at Home?

A number of urgent and concerning situations can be dealt with by a vet who comes to see your cat in your house.

What an At-Home Emergency Vet Can Do

At-home emergency vets can perform thorough examinations, provide medicine, perform humane euthanasia and may also be able to run certain diagnostic tests, such as blood tests.

When a Cat Still Needs a Hospital

If a cat requires oxygen, ongoing fluids or surgery, then it is usually best that they are first seen in the clinic. Similarly, those who require investigations including X-rays or ultrasound scans, typically need to be brought in.

Cat Emergencies That Can Usually Be Treated at Home

On quite a few occasions, it would be appropriate for the cat to be seen in the comfort and privacy of their own home. This is particularly helpful for those who can’t drive their pet, or who have a hard time actually getting them into a carrier.

Vomiting, Diarrhoea and Mild Dehydration

A stomach upset, while worrying to deal with, will broadly be something that the cat copes with well and that resolves shortly. The vet can assess your cat’s hydration, check for any evidence of a GI obstruction and provide supportive care such as an anti-nausea injection, probiotics, and a course of antacids.

Cat Bite Abscesses and Minor Wounds

It is not uncommon for a cat who has been bitten to become acutely lame, making the owner think they have broken a leg. However, if your cat has recently been in a fight or has a couple of puncture wounds or scabs, it can be a cat bite that is making them so uncomfortable.

Bites and wounds need to be assessed by a vet. Many can be managed on an outpatient basis, by flushing them and providing medicine including antibiotics and cat-safe pain relief.

Cystitis Without a Blockage

A cat who has cystitis is uncomfortable and restless. They typically go in and out of the litter box, meowing and straining. Worryingly, these signs can mimic a life-threatening urinary blockage.

If a vet rules out a urinary obstruction, most cases of cystitis can be managed from home with a course of anti-inflammatories and some household changes, like reducing any stressors, improving the cat’s hydration and increasing the number of litter boxes.

Eye Injuries, Insect Stings and Mild Allergic Reactions

Minor ailments that are not life-threatening such as eye ulcers or bee stings are typically something a vet can see your pet at home for. They can confirm your cat is coping well and provide some medicine to improve healing times, such as eye drops or anti-histamines.

Cat Emergencies That Cannot Be Treated at Home

Of course, not every situation is best treated at home. For cats who require veterinary care in the hospital, it is important that this is not delayed.

Urinary Blockage in Male Cats

Males are much more prone to urinary obstructions than females, thanks to their anatomy. Signs including a lack of urine production, straining, and being vocal are red flags. Even a few hours of not being able to pass urine can cause great distress.

If there is any question that your cat is blocked, they must be seen at the local emergency clinic right away. There, the vet will unblock them and provide pain relief. The vet should also check your cat’s potassium levels and kidney function, to see if further therapy is needed.

Breathing Difficulty and Heart Failure

A cat who is struggling to breathe or breathing rapidly should head to the local clinic as soon as possible. Trouble breathing can have a range of causes including feline asthma, heart failure or an infection such as FIP. Time is of the essence, as these cats can decompensate quickly, and may struggle to get enough oxygen.

Sudden Hind Leg Paralysis (Blood Clots)

Cats are prone to blood clots forming in the heart (many of these cats have a heart murmur) and blocking the aorta where it branches. Blood no longer supplies the hind legs, and the back paws become cold and pale. This is incredibly painful for the cat, who will experience sudden hindlimb paralysis.

Sadly, the prognosis for this condition is poor. Nevertheless, cats should be seen immediately for appropriate care, which includes oxygen and clot-busting medicine.

Lily, Permethrin and Antifreeze Poisoning

Not all toxicities in cats are equally dangerous, and some of the most life-threatening include https://veteris.co.uk/petcare-..., the permethrin flea treatment and antifreeze. The sooner these cats can be seen for decontamination and supportive care, the better their outlook.

Major Trauma, Seizures and Collapse

Significant emergencies that pose an obvious threat to life require hospital care. This includes seizures that last more than 5 minutes, sepsis, falls from heights, vehicle collisions and a cat who is collapsed.

How to Tell the Difference in the Moment

It is not always immediately obvious what level of care your cat needs. In general, any threat to life should be assessed in the hospital setting. Where there is doubt, err on the side of caution, and bring your cat in.

Red Flags That Mean Call Now

Call a local emergency vet right away if your cat:

• Is struggling to breathe
• Has pale gums
• Seems weak or disorientated
• Has been exposed to a toxin
• Has experienced significant trauma
• Cannot urinate
• Is continuously bleeding

What to Do While You Wait for a Vet

As you wait for a vet, try to keep your cat warm, calm and comfortable. Monitor for any new symptoms and try to minimise handling. If there has been a toxin exposure, remove the offending item and wash any off the cat, if safe to do so.

Get Emergency Veterinary Advice for Your Cat

Emergency vet services are available 24/7, whether you need to call for advice or you wish to bring your pet straight in.

Cat Emergencies at Home: FAQs

Which cat emergencies can be treated at home?

There are times when your cat can be treated from home, including if they have had a cat bite, have been stung by an insect or have cystitis but are able to pass urine.

What cat emergencies need a 24-hour hospital?

Certain emergency situations need to be seen at a 24-hour hospital. This includes recent significant traumas, difficulty breathing and hind limb paralysis.

Can a vet come to my house for a cat emergency?

It is sometimes an option for a vet to come to your house to treat your cat, yes. Be aware that there are limitations to what they can do, and some patients would need to be transferred to the emergency hospital.