Cat Shock
Symptoms of shock are: pale or whitish gums, high cardiac pace (over 250 pulsations per minute) and rough breathing (over 40 inspirations per minute). Be it any kind of emergency, be always alert to any shock symptom. On having verified the cardiac and respiratory pace, and having examined the cat's gums, what you are doing is trying to know whether he suffers a shock or not. This can be for an hemorrhage, burns, a cardiac failure, vomits and/or diarrhea, electrocution, serious traumatism, insevct stings or animal bites, diabetes, poisoning or any other injury, disease or accident. The treatment of shock has priority over the majority of the damages that could suffer the feline, included the fractures of bones. A shock not treated adequately can drive to the loss of conscience and death.
Shock symptoms: initial phase
- Agitated breathing
- Cardiac rate more rapid than normal
- Pale or light pink gums.
- Restlessness or anxiety.
- Become lethargic or weakened.
- Time of capillary slow filling (more than two seconds).
- Normal rectal temperature or a bit below normal.
Symptoms of an stabilized shock.
- Slow and superficial breathing.
- Irregular cardiac pace.
- Very pale or bluish gums.
- Lack of response.
- Weakness carries to extremes or unconsciousness.
- Time of capillary very slow filling (more than four seconds)
- Very low corporal temperature (less than 36,7 C ).
Reduce to the minimum the potential catastrophic effects of the shock doing the following things:
- Lay the cat sideward, with the neck widespread.
- Lift his fourth back with pillows or towels.
- Stop any visible hemorrhage making pressure or, in necessary case, with a turnstile
- Give him artificial breathing or a cardiac massage if it were necessary
- Prevent the loss of corporal heat by wrapping him up with a cozy blanket that will keep him warm
- Take him immediately to the nearest veterinarian. If the cat suffers a serious shock, keep him put to bed with the legs raised over the level of the heart.
- Do not give him anything to eat or drink
- If the cat is conscious, don't let him free.
