Cat Emergency & Urgent Care
When your cat is sick, injured, or suddenly "isn't acting like themselves," it isn't always obvious whether they should come to your family veterinarian or go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital. That's where we can help.
Every situation is different, and our goal is to help your cat receive the right care as quickly as possible—whether that's here at Tamberly Animal Hospital or at a specialty emergency hospital.
If your cat suddenly becomes sick or injured, it's easy to second-guess yourself. Should you come here, go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital, or wait until morning? Give us a call. We'll help you decide the best next step.
Cats are remarkably good at hiding illness. If your cat suddenly stops eating, begins hiding more than usual, or simply doesn't seem like themselves, don't assume they'll "sleep it off." Those subtle changes are often their way of telling you something is wrong. By the time many cats show obvious signs that they're sick, they may have been feeling poorly for quite some time.
If you believe your cat may be experiencing a medical emergency during our business hours, call Tamberly Animal Hospital immediately at (678) 459-6001. We'll ask a few questions, help determine the best course of action, and prepare for your arrival if your cat should come to our hospital.
If your cat needs care after our regular business hours, please visit our After-Hours Emergency Care page to find the emergency and specialty hospitals we recommend.
Not Sure if It's an Emergency?
That's okay. Many medical problems aren't black and white.
Cats often don't show obvious signs of illness until they're quite sick. If you're concerned, we'd rather have you call than wait and hope things improve. Our team can ask a few questions, help determine how urgently your cat should be seen, and guide you to the most appropriate care.
Whenever possible, we reserve time in our schedule each day for urgent medical concerns. If a pet arrives with a life-threatening emergency, however, they will always receive immediate priority—even if it means adjusting our schedule for the day. Calling ahead gives us the best opportunity to prepare for your arrival and begin caring for your pet as quickly as possible.
What Is Considered a Veterinary Emergency?
Some emergencies are obvious, while others can be much more subtle. If you're unsure whether your cat needs immediate care, it's always best to call.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat is experiencing:
• Difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing
• Collapse, severe weakness, or inability to stand
• Being hit by a vehicle or experiencing other major trauma
• Severe bleeding or bleeding that won't stop
• Suspected poisoning or toxin exposure
• Seizures
• Eye injuries or sudden vision loss
• Difficulty urinating, inability to urinate, or repeated trips to the litter box with little or no urine produced
• Sudden paralysis or inability to use the back legs
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially when accompanied by lethargy or blood
• Heatstroke or severe overheating
• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
If you're ever unsure whether something is an emergency, call us. We'd much rather answer your questions than have your cat become sicker while waiting at home.
Urgent Problems We Commonly Treat
Not every urgent illness requires a visit to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
During our regular business hours, we commonly evaluate and treat cats with:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite—especially if your cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours or refuses even favorite foods.
• Hiding or sudden behavior changes
• Urinary problems
• Eye irritation or injury
• Bite wounds and abscesses
• Limping or injuries
• Upper respiratory infections
• Skin problems
• Pain or sudden changes in activity level
• Many other sudden illnesses and injuries
If your cat requires advanced specialty care, intensive hospitalization, or treatments beyond what can safely be provided here, we'll explain why and help you get to the right facility as quickly as possible.
Should I Call Before Coming?
Yes.
A brief phone call before you leave allows our team to:
• Assess how urgently your cat needs to be seen
• Prepare for your arrival
• Advise you if immediate referral to an emergency hospital would provide the fastest care
• Help you safely transport your cat whenever possible
If your cat is having severe difficulty breathing, has collapsed, is actively seizing, or has experienced major trauma, don't delay transport unnecessarily. If calling would significantly slow you down, begin heading to the nearest appropriate veterinary hospital immediately.
What Should I Do While I'm on the Way?
If you can do so safely:
• Transport your cat in a secure carrier whenever possible.
• If your cat isn't already in a carrier, gently wrapping them in a towel may make handling safer and less stressful before placing them inside.
• Keep the carrier level and as quiet as possible during transport.
• Apply gentle pressure with a clean towel to actively bleeding wounds.
• Bring any medication bottles, plant samples, or product packaging if poisoning is suspected.
• If possible, have another person drive so you can monitor your cat.
Avoid giving medications unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian.
What Happens When We See an Emergency Patient?
Every emergency is different, but our first priority is to assess your cat's condition, stabilize them if needed, and determine how serious the situation is.
Depending on your cat's condition, this may include:
• A rapid physical examination
• Oxygen support, if needed
• Intravenous catheter placement and medications
• Pain management
• Digital radiographs (X-rays), when appropriate
• Other diagnostics needed to help determine the cause of your cat's illness or injury
Once we've stabilized your cat and have a better understanding of what's going on, we'll explain our findings, discuss your options, and help you decide on the next steps.
Many urgent problems can be treated here at Tamberly Animal Hospital, while others are best managed at a specialty emergency hospital. If referral is in your cat's best interest, we'll explain why and guide you through that process.
We're Here to Help
Medical emergencies are stressful, but you don't have to make these decisions alone.
Whether your cat has a sudden illness, an injury, or you're simply unsure how serious the situation may be, give us a call. We'll help you determine the best next step so your cat receives the care they need.
Related Resources
• After-Hours Emergency Care — Find the emergency and specialty hospitals we recommend when our hospital is closed.