Cat Shock: First Aid

Like humans, cats can go into shock. This is a potentially life-threatening condition! Here you can find out how to recognize the shock in cats and what to do about it.

What is a shock

The term “shock” means first of all a lack of supply of oxygen to the cells. This happens due to insufficient blood flow. Although there are various causes for a shock event, these always lead to a lower pumping capacity of the heart and thus to circulatory disorders. Not only is too little oxygen transported to the organs, but also too few nutrients get in and the removal of toxins is disturbed.

The shock can thus be distinguished from e.g. B. lack of oxygen intake in the lungs, anemia (anemia), or disturbed cell respiration z. B. by poisoning. These causes also lead to a lack of oxygen in the tissues, but not to shock in cats.

The state of psychological discomfort is often referred to as shock in cats. For example after harmless accidents or a shock. However, this cannot be compared with the physical processes involved in shock, which can quickly become life-threatening.

When is the cat at risk of shock?

There are different types of shock in cats including their typical triggers:

• Volume Depletion (Hypovolemic): Triggered by a loss of blood volume/fluid, e.g. B. bleeding, diarrhea, kidney failure.
• Clogging (obstructive): Due to a blockage of large veins, e.g. B. Heartworms or thrombi (clotted blood), not enough blood flows back to the heart – the cat goes into shock.
• Nerve-related (distributive/neurogenic): A disturbance in the autonomic nervous system leads to vasodilatation. As a result, the space available to the blood is suddenly much larger. It “sinks” in the finest blood vessels, the capillaries. As a result, the body suffers from a relative lack of volume. The result is the same as with the other types of shock, too little blood flows towards the heart, and the pumping capacity drops. A typical neurogenic shock in cats is triggered by allergies, blood poisoning (sepsis), or trauma.
• Heart-related (cardiogenic): Unlike the other types of shock, cardiogenic shock in cats is not characterized by a lack of volume, but is due to a lower cardiac output. This can be caused by heart disease or in the course of inflammation or poisoning. The heart then pumps too little fresh blood into the body.

These forms of shock can also occur together.

What happens in the cat’s body during shock?

The body always reacts in a similar way when the blood pressure in the large arteries drops: it activates the part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the stress and fight mode. Its messenger substances increase cardiac output and cause the veins to contract in order to increase blood pressure. If this is not enough, the effect also spreads to the arteries.

The latter in particular causes less blood flow to the other organs in favor of the heart, brain, and lungs, which is also known as centralization. Initially, this mainly affects the skin and muscles, and later z. B. also liver and kidneys have too little oxygen. If left untreated, this condition will result in organ failure and cat death.

Another effect is the mobilization of fluid from the intercellular spaces into the blood vessels. The kidneys also retain more water. Both increase blood pressure.

The lack of oxygen supply makes the energy metabolism in the cells very ineffective. Waste products are created that cannot be properly removed.

Shock in cats: symptoms

The onset of shock in cats is often overlooked. It is characterized by reddened mucous membranes and an increased heart rate, otherwise, the animal is awake and responsive and shows a normal body temperature.

When the cat’s body can no longer compensate for the shock, the appearance changes: the mucous membranes become noticeably paler, the ears feel cold, and the animals become apathetic and urinate little or no longer. A body temperature that is too low is also often measured here.

In the last stage, shock in cats can usually no longer be treated: All blood vessels are dilated, the mucous membranes turn grey-violet, and the heartbeat slows down. Eventually, respiratory and cardiac arrest occurs.

Common symptoms during shock include:

• breathing problems
• pale mucous membranes (e.g. gums)
• unconsciousness
• Weakness, twitching, collapse
• cold ears and paws
• external bleeding
• punctiform hemorrhages in the skin
• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• swollen abdomen

My cat went into shock, what should I do?

Is your cat in shock? Are you observing some or even all of the above symptoms? Your cat in shock after a fall, e.g. B. a car accident or an accident in the household? Take her to the vet as soon as possible! Swift action saves lives here.

Even if you know your velvet paw has eaten something poisonous, take it to the vet immediately. Shock can be delayed, and the sooner the animal is treated, the greater the chance of survival.

Cat Shock: First Aid

• Notify your veterinarian immediately and announce your coming. They may also refer you directly to the nearest veterinary clinic on duty. And he can give you tips on necessary first aid measures.
• Transport your cat to the vet wrapped in a towel or blanket to stabilize the body temperature.
• Do not warm them up additionally, for example with a hot-water bottle. This could make the symptoms worse.
• Position your cat with the rear slightly elevated. Make sure that the respiratory tract is free and that any vomit can drain away safely so that the cat cannot suffocate (neck stretched).
  If necessary, cover larger bleeding wounds with clean damp cloths. If they bleed profusely and you are able to, put a tight bandage around them.

Treating Shock in Cats

If your cat is in shock, the veterinarian’s first goal is to first stabilize her with emergency measures and then initiate further diagnostics. The latter especially when the cause of the shock is still unknown.

First, the vet performs emergency therapy:

• Oxygen is given via a mask or a fine hose to increase the oxygen content of the breathing air.
• In the case of massive bleeding, a blood transfusion is necessary because otherwise, the blood cannot transport the given oxygen at all.
• Except for cardiogenic shock, all shocked cats are given IV fluids to compensate for the loss of volume and stop the shock from progressing. For this purpose, an indwelling cannula (a fine needle that remains in the vein for a longer period of time) is fixed in a blood vessel in order to be able to permanently administer larger amounts of fluid.
• Visible bleeding is stopped with pressure bandages. Stitching or other wound care is only carried out after the circulation has stabilized.
• Because severe pain can exacerbate and alter shock symptoms, cats in shock receive immediate treatment for pain as well.

Furthermore, the animal is warmed up if necessary. Medications can support heart function and encourage blood vessel constriction if enough fluid is present at the same time.

In any case, the veterinarian will carry out a blood test in order to be able to assess the cat’s condition and, if necessary, to identify the cause of the shock. Depending on the suspected problem, ECG, ultrasound, or X-rays are also useful.

Shock is closely monitored in cats so that therapy can be adjusted at any time. These include, above all, circulatory parameters such as heart rate, mucous membrane color, and pulse. Urine production is also an important indicator. The aim is to restore healthy circulation with stable heart function. It is not possible to say in general terms how long this will take. It depends on the causes of the shock and whether organs have already been damaged. How quickly the cat is treated for shock also has an impact on recovery.

Shock in cats: conclusion

A cat in shock is an absolute emergency patient and should be treated as soon as possible. The sooner, the better the chances of recovery. The focus is on life-sustaining stabilization of the circulatory system, after which causes are sought and, if possible, eliminated.