Environmental dangers

Frost bite
It affects mainly ears and tail, that in some breeds, can show scanty hair. A quick treatment consists of quickly heating the body, cover it and put around it hot water bottles. Take it to the veterinarian. Do not let the cat scratch the injured zone, or apply bandages nor ointments.

Hypothermia ( low corporal temperature)
Exposure to low temperatures provoke a dysfunction of the body, which manages to be irreversible when the temperature goes down to less than 24°C. An immediate treatment is to wrap it up in blankets and put around it hot water bottles and then take it to the veterinarian to have a complete check up.

Thermal shock or heat blow
Cats exposed to high temperatures or stress. Be careful to leave it locked inside a car for a long time or outdoors without shade. The normal temperature of a cat is between 39 and 39.5°C. When it exceeds 41°C, it can have a thermal shock.

It has mucous congestion, very red, tachycardia and excessive gasping. The feet become dry and hot. There can be serious dehydration, vomit, diarrhea and little urine.

You must diminish the corporal temperature wetting it with fresh water, placing it under shade, check rectal temperature, give only some fresh water and take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Gastrointestinal obstruction
It happens when they swallow strange objects. It often happens in young animals. For the veterinarian it is very valuable the information you can give. So remember everything you can.

First thing you have to do, is investigate what could have been swallowed and then take it to the veterinarian to so an X-ray can be done and determine if a surgery is needed or not. Keep in mind, that not all strange objects can be seen in the X-rays, especially plastic, so it is better a meticulous study to avoid serious consequences.

Signs they present depend on the degree of blockage and location. Some only cause intermittent episodes of vomit and lack of appetite, gauging of the body, pain, constipation, diarrhea with or without blood, and also, expansion in the intestine.

Most common things are balls, bones, feathers, pieces of wood, paper, small toys, bandages, sponges, piece of carpet, etc.