Vet Tips 2025: Low Stress Handling® for Cats in the Emergency Room 🏥🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Emergency veterinary visits can be one of the most frightening experiences for a cat—and their human. Pain, unfamiliar smells, loud noises, and strange hands can turn a sick cat into a terrified one. 😿

That’s why Low Stress Handling® techniques are so vital, even in urgent situations. They protect your cat’s emotional well-being, support better diagnostics, and make every step of emergency care a little more manageable. 🧘‍♀️🩺

Step One: Prepare Before You Go 📋📞

• 💊 Ask your vet about pre-visit anti-anxiety meds like gabapentin, especially if your cat is known to stress easily.
• 📞 Call ahead to check wait times and ask if a scheduled arrival is possible to reduce long lobby waits.
• 📁 Bring medical records, printed or downloaded, especially after hours.

Reducing the unknowns reduces your cat’s stress—and your own. 🧠🐾

Triage with Compassion 🔍❤️

Triage is the first step when you arrive. A technician will evaluate your cat’s condition, ask questions, and check vitals. This is the moment to speak up:

• 🧏‍♀️ Share your cat’s behavioral history—do they bite when scared? Hide? Freeze?
• 🚪 Ask to stay with your cat during the assessment if it helps them stay calm.
• 🙅 Remember, you can decline certain procedures or request gentler alternatives.

Minimal restraint is always preferred. Avoid scruffing, muzzles, or full-body restraint unless medically necessary. These methods trigger fear and long-term aversion. 😾

Managing Pain Before Touch 🩹😌

In many emergencies, cats are in pain. Before performing diagnostics, a vet may recommend pain medication:

• 🧊 Pain control helps reduce panic and improves exam quality.
• 📈 It allows better handling, better imaging, and faster diagnosis.
• 💤 If necessary, safe sedation can be added to maintain calm during procedures.

Sedatives used in the ER are generally fast-acting and reversible, especially when injected. These tools can turn a nightmare visit into a smooth experience. 💉🐱

Comfort Items Matter 🧺😺

Bring items from home to soothe your cat:

• 🧸 Familiar bedding or towels with your scent
• 🧴 Pheromone spray or wipes for the carrier
• 🍖 Lickable treats like Churu® if your cat isn’t vomiting

These small comforts help reduce cortisol levels and offer familiarity in a stressful place. 🧘‍♂️

Protecting Emotional Health in Emergencies 🌪️💛

Stress can negatively affect healing, delay diagnosis, and create long-term fear of veterinary care. You are your cat’s advocate. Make sure their emotional needs are addressed too. 🐾

Stress isn’t just unpleasant—it’s harmful. It can cause:

• 🚫 Missed diagnoses (tense muscles, shallow breathing)
• ⚠️ Future resistance to care or transport
• 💔 Strained pet-parent relationships

Toxic Emergencies: Call Before You Go ☠️📞

If you suspect toxin ingestion, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 first:

• 📋 They’ll give you a case number and advice
• 📈 This can help the vet act faster and possibly avoid unnecessary testing
• 💸 There is a fee—but it may save you time and stress at the ER

Helpful Things to Pack for the ER 🧳🐱

• 📱 Phone charger and snacks for yourself
• 📖 A book or podcast to help you stay calm
• 🧺 Soft bedding, a comfort toy, or clothing with your scent
• 📂 Printed or digital medical records

Emergency clinics operate by triage, so wait times vary. Be prepared. Stay calm. And advocate gently for your cat’s needs. 🧘‍♀️

Need Help Preparing for an Emergency? Ask A Vet 🐾📱

Emergencies are overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether it’s prepping with meds, reviewing your carrier setup, or managing stress post-visit—Ask A Vet is here to help. 📲

Download the Ask A Vet app for 24/7 access to licensed veterinary professionals who care about your cat’s physical AND emotional health. 🩺🐾

Final Thoughts: Kindness in Crisis 🐱💙

Emergency visits may be scary, but with Low Stress Handling® and the right approach, they don’t have to scar your cat for life. Keep things calm, controlled, and compassionate—and never hesitate to advocate for your cat’s comfort. 🧘‍♂️

Need help now? Visit Ask A Vet to speak with a veterinary expert in real time. You don’t have to go through this alone. 🐾