The Emergency Clinic for Cats in Missoula, MT

Though your furry feline friend may be independent and aloof, at times they may demand attention or let you know they want to go outside with a loud meow. When they become ill from eating a mouse or other foods they shouldn’t they kindly leave their vomit in a conspicuous place. However, they are also skilled at hiding other signs and symptoms of illness, so it is important for you to pay attention to your pet’s habits and note any changes.

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Emergency Veterinary Medical Services

You may notice your cat is having difficulty breathing, panting with their mouth open, pale or blue gums, an enlarged or firm abdomen, inability to stand, fainting, seizures, or a number of other scary symptoms. Any of these may indicate the need for emergency veterinary care. Paying close attention to changes in your cat’s habits and behaviors is the best way to protect your cat when an emergency situation arises.

At Sentinel Veterinary Medical Center, we have years of experience in diagnosing and treating felines for everything from bladder infections to kidney stones to cancer. We know what to look for and are highly trained in determining the conditions which make cats ill. When you bring your feline friend to us, we will do our best to get them back to couch-clawing, meowing shape as quickly as we can.

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Infection Control

Many of the illnesses commonly diagnosed in cats are caused by viral or bacterial infections. Tracking them down early in the disease process can shorten suffering as it’s easier to treat infections before they become life-threatening. Your kitty may show signs of fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, lack of appetite, skin abscesses or swelling, wounds, a runny nose and eyes, or problems with their urinary or respiratory tracts.

Some diseases that appear like an infection can have more complicated origins. Some estimates say that as many as 3% of cats seen by veterinarians have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), a group of feline diseases of many origins. Both female and male cats get become uncomfortable through this process where the bladder becomes inflamed, causes discomfort, and can make male cats at risk for blockage. A blocked bladder, demonstrated by the inability to urinate, is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care! Many of these conditions are avoidable and our staff can counsel you on ways to avoid a recurrence in the future.

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Vomiting and Diarrhea Care

There are a number of underlying health conditions that may cause diarrhea and/ or vomiting in cats. Those are symptoms that can indicate a larger issue. The possible causes range from ingestion of inedible objects such as toys, toxins, or hairballs, infection, systemic illness, urinary tract disease, kidney failure, or diabetes. Vomiting and diarrhea may also be signs of intestinal parasites, spoiled food, allergies, liver disease, and occasionally cancer.

Symptoms are usually very obvious and may also include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so if your cat continues to act ill a visit to the vet is in order. If you notice blood in the stool or vomit, you may bring a sample in for our vets to assess. At Sentinel Veterinary Medical Center, we will investigate the cause of the illness thoroughly to ensure that our treatments address the root of the problem.

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Wound Treatment

Cats that venture into the outdoors will inevitably face an injury at some point in time. You may be surprised to discover that even a small puncture wound from a fence or a tooth can leave extensive damage under the skin. We will guide you through what your pet needs as we discuss different approaches and possible complications.

Often these approaches include flushing and cleaning the wound, suturing, or an occasional drain. We will discuss the pros and cons of each option as necessary based on you and your pet’s needs. Regardless, addressing wounds in a timely manner will improve the outcome and reduce the risk of complications.

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