Cat Emergency

  Artificial respiration is an emergency procedure that is performed when a cat is not breathing. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), on the other hand, is performed when a cat is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat. Therefore, CPR requires the use of artificial respiration and heart massage.   Both artificial respiration and CPR are emergency procedures that can save the life of a distressed cat.

How To Prevent Contact Poisoning In Your Cat   Poison can be defined as any substance that is harmful to the body upon contact, whether it is internal or external. Internal poisoning can occur through inhalation of a substance, which can be in chemical form, like sprays or powders, but a toxic reaction can also occur simply by breathing in a material as innocuous as dirt. Other forms of internal poisoning take place when an animal has a physical reaction, or allergy, to a plant or food that has been ingested.

How To Keep Your Cat Safe From Drug Poisoning   The most common cause of drug poisoning in pets is unintentional overdosing of medications. Animal medications are usually flavored to make them more appealing and easier to swallow, so when these pills are kept in an accessible place, an animal will quickly and easily consume them.   Besides veterinary pills, the other common factor in drug poisonings is when pet owners give over the counter drugs to their pets without advice from a veterinarian.

  Frostbite is a medical condition rarely seen in pet cats. Nevertheless, accidents may happen. If your cat has been exposed to extreme cold weather for a prolonged period of time, hypothermia sets in. This can lead to other complications such as damage to the skin or underlying tissue, also known as frostbite.

  Low Body Temperature   Much like in humans, prolonged exposure to cold results in a lowering of the cat's body temperature and eventually hypothermia.

Shock   Shock is a clinical condition in which there is decreased blood flow to the cat's vital organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. Generally caused by a hemorrhage or trauma, the reduced blood flow also decreases the amount of oxygen reaching organs and, in turn, affects the cat's body functions.   Symptoms and Types  A cat in a state of mild shock will display signs such as panting, rapid heart rate, cold sweats, and have its lips, gums, and tongue turn a bright red color.

  Many homes have several common outdoor plants as part of the garden foliage, vegetation, or landscaping. Cats will eat plants that grow in the wild for digestive purposes, to loosen undigested food (or hair) for regurgitation, and for self-treatment. For instance, cats will commonly eat grass to aid in the digestion of food, or to capture hair (i.e., hairballs) from the stomach and esophagus so that it can be regurgitated.   Cats will also use plants for medicinal purposes, often when they have viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections.

Hypercalcemic Agent Poisoning in Cats   Of the various types of substances that are poisonous to animals, there are those that include hypercalcemic agents. Hypercalcemic agents contain vitamin D, medically known as cholecalciferol, which works by raising the calcium content in blood serum to high toxic levels, resulting in cardiac arrhythmias, and eventually, death. The condition of hypercalcemia is defined as an abnormally elevated level of calcium in the blood.   Hypercalcemic agents are popular for use in rodent poisons, since rodents do not have resistance to cholecalciferol.

  Wound Irrigation and Debridement   Wound irrigation and debridement (removal of foreign matter and tissue) are necessary for preventing infection of a wound while treating it. Wound irrigation is a process of using a liquid to remove dirt and any contaminating bacteria from the wound. Wounds are irrigated using a lavage technique, where a large amount of irrigating solution is used with pressure to wash away contamination.