21 reasons to take your cat to the vet

Here is a list of reasons to take your cat to the vet. Richard H. Gebhart, former president of the Cat Fanciers’ Association, tells us that cat breeders and cat owners should call their veterinarian under the following circumstances. I have listed them as he did as I don’t think that there will be any copyright issues in doing this. It ensures the information is accurate. His book was published in 1991, almost 30 years ago.

Richard H. Gebhardt. Photos in the public domain as assessed.

Call and take your cat to the veterinarian if she/he has one or more of the following illnesses or conditions:

Any deep wound or wound still bleeding after pressure has been applied: see a vet at once.
Seems drowsy after ingesting a foreign substance: see a vet at once
Stopped breathing after chewing on a poisonous plant: see a vet at once
Temperature elevated beyond 105: at once
Temperature between 103 and 105, and other signs of illness present: next day
Decreased appetite coupled with coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea: next day
Sudden weakness in hindquarters: at once
General lameness in any leg lasting more than three days: next day
Red, ulcerated sore on the lips or other part of the body: at once
Abscess that is warm and painful to the touch: at once
Any general swelling that is warm and painful to the touch: next day
Runny nose accompanied by elevated temperature, pale gums, weakness: at once
Runny nose accompanied by lethargy, puss in the eye, or rapid breathing: next day
Coughing accompanied by elevated temperature, difficult breathing, depressed energy level: next day
Foul breath accompanied by increased water intake, increased urination, excessive appetite, lethargy: next day (this is kidney disease by the way)
Evidence of trauma accompanied by shortness of breath, elevated temperature, pale gums, lethargy, at once
Vomiting accompanied by lethargy, frequent attempts to urinate, elevated temperature, blood in stools: at once
Diarrhoea accompanied by bloody faeces, elevated temperature, vomiting: at once
Diarrhoea accompanied by dehydration: next day
Constipation accompanied by straining and failure to defecate: at once
Abnormally thin stools accompanied by elevated temperature: next day