If the primary symptom is . . .

. . . and the secondary symptom is . . .

. . . your cat should be seen . . .

Abscess

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Behavior change

Gradual, otherwise normal

Within next week or two

Behavior change

Sudden onset (not female in heat)

Within 24 hours

Behavioral change/personality change

Sudden onset, cat/other household animal allowed outside, +/- lethargic, pain, hiding, not eating, ticks

Immediately

Birthing, 2+ hours between kittens

n/a

Immediately

Birthing, still bleeding 12 hours after

n/a

Immediately

Birthing, straining for 5+ minutes

n/a

Immediately

Bleeding that won't stop

n/a

Immediately

Blood in feces

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Blood in urine

n/a

Immediately

Breathing rapidly (>40 bpm) while at rest

n/a

Immediately

Broken limbs

n/a

Immediately

Constipation for 2 or more days

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Coughing in fits

n/a

Immediately

Coughing intermittently

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Coughing regularly

n/a

Within 24 hours

Crying while urinating

n/a

Immediately

Defecating outside litterbox

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Depression/lethargy

Dizziness +/- head tilt, walking in circles

Within 24 hours

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Immediately

Diarrhea for more than 2 days

n/a

Immediately

Diarrhea, bloody

n/a

Immediately

Diarrhea, jelly-like

n/a

Immediately

Diarrhea, watery and profuse

n/a

Immediately

Discharge from ears with foul odor

n/a

Within 24 hours

Discharge from ears with no foul odor

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Distress

n/a

Immediately

Dizziness

+/- head tilt, walking in circles

Within 24 hours

Dizziness

Lethargy and/or depression

Immediately

Eating constantly

Urinating excessively

Within 24 hours

Eating constantly but not gaining weight

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Exposure to a Tylenol tablet or gel cap (incl. ingestion, licking, or playing)

n/a

Immediately

Exposure to lawn-treatment chemicals, detergents, insecticides, essential oils

n/a

Immediately

Eye problems, any

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Fleas

Kitten <6 wks old

Within 24 hours

Fleas, large numbers

Pale gums

Immediately

Fleas, so many they are crawling on face

n/a

Immediately

Frequent attempts to urinate

without producing normal amounts of urine

Immediately

Frequent attempts to urinate

Produces normal amounts of urine

Within 24 hours

Gums pale (same color as teeth)

n/a

Immediately

Halitosis (bad breath)

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Head tilt

+/- dizziness, walking in circles

Within 24 hours

Hiding

Sudden onset, cat/other household animal allowed outside, +/- lethargy, pain, not eating, sudden behavioral/personality change, ticks

Immediately

Ingestion of antifreeze, rodenticide, or other known poison

n/a

Immediately

Ingestion of any lily (including eating or biting)

n/a

Immediately

Ingestion of toy or string

n/a

Immediately

Intolerance to exercise, sudden

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Jaundice

n/a

Immediately

Kittens <4 wks old, any illness

n/a

Within 24 hours (the younger they are, the more urgent)

Lameness

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Laryngitis

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Lethargy

Sudden onset, cat/other household animal allowed outside, +/- pain, hiding, not eating, sudden behavioral/personality change, ticks

Immediately

Lethargy/depression

Dizziness +/- head tilt, walking in circles

Within 24 hours

Limping, won't put pressure on limb

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Lumps on stomach (breasts)

Cat is female

Within 24 hours

Lumps or bumps

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Not eating

Sudden onset, cat/other household animal allowed outside, +/- lethargy, pain, hiding, sudden behavioral/personality change, ticks

Immediately

Not eating

Obesity

Within 24 hours

Not eating

Jaundice (yellow tinge to eyes, tongue, or ears)

Immediately

Not eating for three or more days

n/a

Immediately

Not eating or drinking in past 24 hrs

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Not urinating (no urine in past 12 hrs)

Lethargic +/- not eating, not drinking

Immediately

Not urinating (no urine in past 24 hours)

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Open-mouth breathing while at rest

n/a

Immediately (Do not upset if possible)

Pain

Sudden onset, cat/other household animal allowed outside, +/- lethargy, hiding, not eating, sudden behavioral/personality change, ticks

Immediately

Pain, chronic

Otherwise normal

Within the next week or two

Pain, intermittent

Otherwise normal

Within 24 hours

Pain, severe

n/a

Immediately

Panting while at rest

n/a