Vet Now or Vet Tomorrow
December 6, 2013 5:09 PM Subscribe
Should we go to an emergency vet tonight, or can it wait until tomorrow?
Last night, we noticed that our cat was a bit lethargic and had some brown discharge coming from one ear. So we called the vet and made an appointment for tomorrow morning. Tonight (conveniently after the vet closed), we noticed that his breathing is weird. He's breathing through his mouth in little short breaths.
Also perhaps relevant is that he's about a month past a four-month upper respiratory infection, which had months of sniffling, but not the short breaths we're seeing tonight.
Does anyone have experience with symptoms like this? Do we need to get him to a vet before the morning?
Last night, we noticed that our cat was a bit lethargic and had some brown discharge coming from one ear. So we called the vet and made an appointment for tomorrow morning. Tonight (conveniently after the vet closed), we noticed that his breathing is weird. He's breathing through his mouth in little short breaths.
Also perhaps relevant is that he's about a month past a four-month upper respiratory infection, which had months of sniffling, but not the short breaths we're seeing tonight.
Does anyone have experience with symptoms like this? Do we need to get him to a vet before the morning?
If his breathing is impaired I'd take him to the vets tonight.
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 5:13 PM on December 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 5:13 PM on December 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
I always check this chart and recommend it to others: Is it an emergency?
On the chart it says if the symptom is panting while at rest, take the cat in immediately.
on preview: exactly what lalex posted
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:14 PM on December 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
On the chart it says if the symptom is panting while at rest, take the cat in immediately.
on preview: exactly what lalex posted
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:14 PM on December 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
I would consider it an emergency.
It could be nothing, but it's a 'how okay is it to be wrong?' moment.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:15 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It could be nothing, but it's a 'how okay is it to be wrong?' moment.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:15 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: We're on our way to the vet!
posted by freshwater at 5:26 PM on December 6, 2013 [21 favorites]
posted by freshwater at 5:26 PM on December 6, 2013 [21 favorites]
I know you're on the way, but yeah, going in is the right thing to do. Danf is right - cats hold it together until they don't, and then it's acute emergency time. The panting/short breaths are very unusual and I have only seen cats do it in extremis. Go go!
posted by Miko at 8:11 PM on December 6, 2013
posted by Miko at 8:11 PM on December 6, 2013
Response by poster: I'm glad we took him to the vet. Unfortunately, the news was bad. He had a congenital problem with his diaphragm, which affected his heart and lungs. But we got to be with him, and make sure he didn't suffer. Thanks for sending us to the vet. Best cat ever.
posted by freshwater at 10:53 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by freshwater at 10:53 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh, freshwater. I'm holding you and your cat in my heart tonight.
posted by missmary6 at 11:29 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by missmary6 at 11:29 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh no...I'm very sorry, freshwater. I am glad that you were able to be with him and make sure he didn't suffer.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:47 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:47 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Freshwater, my thoughts are with you.
posted by SillyShepherd at 1:30 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by SillyShepherd at 1:30 AM on December 7, 2013
Oh, shit, I'm so sorry.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:29 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:29 AM on December 7, 2013
Oh, I am really sorry, freshwater. Hugs to you and yours.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:48 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:48 AM on December 7, 2013
So sorry. I am sure this was much easier on him to be where he could be supported and I'm glad you were able to get him to the vet so you could have some more knowledge and the support of the care team. I had a bad feeling because my cat had a similar panting behavior on the last day of his life. My heart goes out to you (and what a sweet character he was, in his little cape...)
posted by Miko at 5:37 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by Miko at 5:37 AM on December 7, 2013
Oh man, I'm sorry to hear it. Good thoughts to your family.
posted by absquatulate at 6:54 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by absquatulate at 6:54 AM on December 7, 2013
I'm so sorry, freshwater. I'm thinking of you and your family. What a beautiful cat he was.
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:02 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:02 AM on December 7, 2013
I'm also thinking of you & your family, freshwater. He truly was adorable.
posted by AthenaPolias at 9:08 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by AthenaPolias at 9:08 AM on December 7, 2013
I saw your question last night and just came back to check in. I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. He looks like he was a great cat.
posted by radiomayonnaise at 10:30 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by radiomayonnaise at 10:30 AM on December 7, 2013
Me too I came back to check in...I'm super sorry for your loss... that picture is adorable, he has the me-fi community's prayers. Hugs.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:33 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:33 AM on December 7, 2013
My grey/taupe tabbies send their love and condolences as well.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:42 AM on December 7, 2013
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:42 AM on December 7, 2013
My condolences, as well. What a great-looking cat.
posted by trip and a half at 2:14 PM on December 7, 2013
posted by trip and a half at 2:14 PM on December 7, 2013
My kitties and I are sending warm thoughts your way. Be kind to yourself in this time. *hugs*
posted by kathrynm at 2:56 PM on December 7, 2013
posted by kathrynm at 2:56 PM on December 7, 2013
I'm so very sorry.
posted by auntie maim at 4:20 PM on December 7, 2013
posted by auntie maim at 4:20 PM on December 7, 2013
We had the same thing happen with our cat almost a year ago. Took her to the vet because of panting, news was very bad. It was shocking to go from "should we take her to the vet?" to mourning our cat in under 12 hours.
I didn't answer your question because I didn't want to be alarmist or freak you out, but I feel for you and am so sorry that things turned out this way. :(
posted by torticat at 4:48 PM on December 7, 2013
I didn't answer your question because I didn't want to be alarmist or freak you out, but I feel for you and am so sorry that things turned out this way. :(
posted by torticat at 4:48 PM on December 7, 2013
I'm very, very sorry about your little friend, freshwater. Sending you a hug tonight.
posted by aryma at 12:13 AM on December 8, 2013
posted by aryma at 12:13 AM on December 8, 2013
How shocking for you, and how sad. My sincere condolences.
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 3:08 AM on December 8, 2013
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 3:08 AM on December 8, 2013
My cat is the best cat ever, too.
At least the pain we feel when somebody is gone lets us know that we've shared something really special with them. We're lucky to have loved somebody so much, that it can hurt so much when we lose them.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:09 AM on December 8, 2013
At least the pain we feel when somebody is gone lets us know that we've shared something really special with them. We're lucky to have loved somebody so much, that it can hurt so much when we lose them.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:09 AM on December 8, 2013
I'm so sorry to read your update. My condolences to you. Your kitty was beautiful and looks like he was a character.
posted by Wet Hen at 5:42 PM on December 8, 2013
posted by Wet Hen at 5:42 PM on December 8, 2013
I'm so sorry, freshwater.
posted by getawaysticks at 10:22 AM on December 9, 2013
posted by getawaysticks at 10:22 AM on December 9, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:11 PM on December 6, 2013 [2 favorites]