Cats are inquisitive animals and tend to be more active at night, which means they can get into accidents and get injured, and they can be hard to reach at night, when veterinary clinics are closed.
Luckily, you have a few options to choose from if your cat gets sick or injured in the middle of the night. It’s best to be prepared for accidents and injuries, so be sure to read our tips and ideas so you have a plan of action for any incidents your cat may have in the middle of the night.
5 ways to get help from a vet in the middle of the night
1. Consult an online vet
Online veterinary care services and veterinary telemedicine apps may help you get in touch with your veterinarian quickly. Online veterinarians and veterinary telemedicine apps usually operate 24/7, which is why they are your go-to when your regular veterinarian is not reachable. They also offer video consultations so that the veterinarian can visually examine your cat and provide effective care instructions. Online veterinarians will also let you know if your cat needs to go to an emergency veterinary clinic or if you can wait until the next morning to see the veterinarian.
Most veterinary telemedicine apps require you to sign up for a monthly payment plan, so it’s a good idea to create an account ahead of time so you can get in touch with a vet as soon as possible. Here are some companies to consider: Pangobetoffer individual consultations and charge a fee per consultation.
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2. Contact a nearby emergency veterinary clinic
You don’t necessarily have to drive to an emergency veterinary clinic to receive treatment. You can call the clinic’s 24/7 triage line and speak to a veterinary care specialist. The vet will ask you a few questions, and depending on your cat’s condition, the clinic will let you know if your cat needs emergency treatment.
Emergencies can be stressful, so make sure you have the contact details for several emergency veterinary clinics near you so you don’t have to waste extra time looking up their contact details or figuring out how far they are from your home.
3. Call your vet’s office
Some veterinary clinics have a 24/7 triage line and may have an on-call veterinarian who will answer calls late at night. If your veterinary clinic doesn’t offer this service, it’s still a good idea to call. Often the voicemail message will include contact information for a nearby emergency veterinary clinic. You may also be given the option to leave a voicemail message so someone can call you back in the morning.
4. Contact your pet insurance company
If your cat is covered by pet insurance, contact your pet insurance company to see if they offer telemedicine services for your pet. Many companies partner with veterinary telemedicine companies to offer discounted or free 24/7 consultations as a customer perk.
If you plan to use veterinary telemedicine frequently, when you buy your pet insurance, ask your pet insurance company if they offer online veterinary consultations, which can save you money on consultation fees and get you connected with an online veterinarian as quickly as possible.
5. Call the Animal Poison Control Hotline
If you think your cat has ingested something harmful and become ill, contact an animal poison control center such as: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Association or Pet Poison ControlA phone specialist can confirm whether your cat has eaten something poisonous and whether it can be treated at home or if a trip to an emergency veterinary clinic is necessary. Note that there is often a small fee for these services.
Before calling an animal poison control center, be prepared with important pertinent information to give the professionals. Information such as what your cat ingested, how much, and how long it has been since it was ingested will be helpful. If your cat ingested a product, be sure to provide the brand name and ingredients list.
When to go to the vet
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if your cat becomes unwell at night and you’re worried, take them to an emergency vet straight away.
While some illnesses don’t require immediate treatment, there are signs of illness that require emergency medical attention without calling a vet. For example, severe wounds, eye injuries, bleeding, and broken bones all require immediate medical attention. Cats that have seizures or convulsions should also be taken to the vet immediately.
Urinary obstruction is an emergency as it can lead to acute kidney failure, so if your cat is going to the litter box frequently but not urinating, or is urinating very little, it’s best to take them to the vet as soon as possible.
It’s also important to be familiar with the signs of shock. Shock can be caused by significant trauma, internal bleeding, heart failure, or sudden blood loss. Shock occurs when a cat’s blood pressure drops to a life-threatening level. A cat in shock may have a fast heart rate, a weak pulse, pale gums and lips, and a low body temperature. The signs of shock should be taken seriously and your cat should receive medical treatment immediately.
Conclusion
If your cat has an accident in the middle of the night, it’s best to contact an online vet or emergency animal hospital. If you choose an online vet service or veterinary telemedicine app, create an account in advance so you can connect with your vet as soon as possible.
Serious health problems and accidents require immediate medical attention, so if you feel your cat has a serious or life-threatening condition, it’s best not to call but to take your cat to an emergency medical facility so they can get treatment as soon as possible.
Featured image credit: Maxim Artemchuk, Shutterstock
