Symptom Triage｜Nerves, Gait and Consciousness | Evidence chain

FAQ

My cat suddenly has weak hind limbs, cold paws and severe pain. Is it a sprain?

This is an emergency. In cats, think first of aortic thromboembolism (ATE), which is often the first presentation of heart disease; in dogs think of intervertebral disc disease, and in ferrets of low blood sugar from insulinoma. Record how fast it came on, paw temperature and the response to touch, and any crying out, then seek care immediately.

猫の後肢が急に動かなくなり、足先が冷たく強く痛がります。捻挫でしょうか。 — これは急症です。猫では大動脈血栓塞栓症（ATE）を最優先で考えます。心臓病の初発症状であることが多いためです。犬では椎間板疾患、フェレットではインスリノーマによる低血糖を考えます。発症が突然か徐々にか、足先の温度と触った時の痛みの反応、鳴き声の有無を記録し、直ちに受診してください。

My cat suddenly has weak hind limbs, cold paws and severe pain. Is it a sprain? — This is an emergency. In cats, think first of aortic thromboembolism (ATE), which is often the first presentation of heart disease; in dogs think of intervertebral disc disease, and in ferrets of low blood sugar from insulinoma. Record how fast it came on, paw temperature and the response to touch, and any crying out, then seek care immediately.

What should I do while my dog is having a seizure?

Convulsions and seizures are an emergency, and repeated seizures or one after another is especially urgent. The episode has often stopped by the time of the visit, so film how it looks and how long it lasts, and note behaviour before and after and any contact with suspicious substances. If tremor from poisoning is suspected, bring the packaging to the clinic and do not induce vomiting or treat at home.

犬がけいれんしているとき、何をすればよいですか。 — けいれん・てんかん発作は急症で、発作が連続する、または立て続けに起こる場合は特に緊急です。受診時には止まっていることが多いため、発作の様子と持続時間を動画で記録し、発作前後の行動、疑わしい物質への接触の有無も記録してください。中毒による震えが疑われる場合は包装を持参して受診し、自己判断で吐かせたり処置したりしないでください。

What should I do while my dog is having a seizure? — Convulsions and seizures are an emergency, and repeated seizures or one after another is especially urgent. The episode has often stopped by the time of the visit, so film how it looks and how long it lasts, and note behaviour before and after and any contact with suspicious substances. If tremor from poisoning is suspected, bring the packaging to the clinic and do not induce vomiting or treat at home.

My cat fell from a height but looks completely normal. Does it still need a veterinarian?

Yes. Diaphragmatic hernia, lung contusion and mandibular fracture often only show hours later, so "looking fine" is not a reason to skip care. Keep watching breathing and activity over the next few hours, check for nosebleed or bleeding from the mouth, and have the cat examined.

猫が高い所から落ちましたが、見た目はまったく正常です。受診は必要ですか。 — 必要です。横隔膜ヘルニア、肺挫傷、下顎骨折は数時間後に現れることが多く、「見た目は大丈夫」を理由に放置しないでください。その後数時間は呼吸と活動性、鼻出血や口腔内出血の有無を観察し、受診して検査を受けてください。

My cat fell from a height but looks completely normal. Does it still need a veterinarian? — Yes. Diaphragmatic hernia, lung contusion and mandibular fracture often only show hours later, so "looking fine" is not a reason to skip care. Keep watching breathing and activity over the next few hours, check for nosebleed or bleeding from the mouth, and have the cat examined.