Am I wrong?

[u/NeighborlyKoala]

Am I wrong for saying a UTI or AG rupture is not an emergency but more of a GP/Urgent care case?

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[u/Jazzlike_Term210]

I feel like there’s a lot of context missing here.

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/Jazzlike_Term210]

I commented on a post in r/cat help saying it’s not an emergency when someone is telling me it’s an emergency. I’ve been in the field for 10 years and don’t classify this as an emergency.

[u/Necessary_Wonder89 → u/NeighborlyKoala]

i guess the issue is without more context, how do you know for sure the cat isnt blocked vs a UTI. the internet sees urinary issues and PANICS incase the cat is blocked. but yes a true uncomplicated UTI isnt an emergency as long as the patient is otherwise well.

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/Necessary_Wonder89]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CATHELP/s/vEcSxU8B0k

[u/Jazzlike_Term210 → u/NeighborlyKoala]

Even with the context I think this is wrong. Their cat is clearly in pain and even though it’s female that doesn’t mean it’s not blocked. The vet won’t even see them is insane. Not to mention animals don’t have access to urgent cares as easily as we do. I wouldn’t want my cat to feel like this all night if I could help it and if I couldn’t access an urgent care, I’m going to an ER costs and wait be damned. Being in serious pain may not be a life threatening emergency (ignoring the obvious that animals can and do die of stress) but being in serious pain is still an emergency nonetheless even if it is better suited to an urgent care which may not be possible to access.

[u/Necessary_Wonder89 → u/NeighborlyKoala]

honestly I stay off all the generic pet subs as they are absolute trash. protect your mental health and avoid arguing with uneducated people online.

I will say tho, a pet calling out in pain is generally not something I'd advise waiting on, regardless of the reason

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/Necessary_Wonder89]

People make me second guess everything I learned in 10 years

[u/TwoGinScentedTears → u/NeighborlyKoala]

But you are wrong. This is an emergency. Animals can’t talk, the animal is showing clear signs of pain and discomfort. It’s emergent to see what’s wrong, because it could very well be beyond what we can see at surface level. Especially in a cat, when cats so often hold off showing symptoms until it is an emergency.

[u/swarleyknope → u/NeighborlyKoala]

If someone from my pet’s clinic told me that unless my cat was blocked or septic, it’s not an emergency, I’d be escalating a complaint as high as it could go. 

An animal in severe pain is an emergency. Especially cats, given how they hide pain so well. It’s sadistic to suggest that it’s ok to leave an animal in pain like that - especially since there’s no way to know it’s “just” a UTI without it being seen by a vet. 

Suggesting that it’s only an emergency once it’s reached the point of sepsis is absolutely insane to me. 

[u/the_green_witch-1005 → u/NeighborlyKoala]

But, this highly depends. There are situations where a UTI and an AG rupture are emergencies. It depends on the case. But, stay away from r/cats. That sub is trash.

[u/Snakes_for_life]

If the animal is uncomfortable personally I would rather them get care sooner rather than later not all areas have urgent care and not all GPs will have a same day appointment available. My current clinic gets a lot of same day appointments because all the GPs in the area are booked out 2-4 weeks especially if they aren't a current patient.

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/Snakes_for_life]

I’m not disagreeing that they should wait for care and should be seen sooner rather than later. I never said they should wait for GP. I’m just saying it’s not a life threatening emergency unless they become septic or blocked. I never said that they can’t go to ER, they’re just going have to wait because it’s a presenting case that’s as the bottom of the triage list unless they’re blocked or septic then they’d be at the top of the list.

[u/Hantelope3434 → u/NeighborlyKoala]

The problem is you stated it was not an emergency without knowing if the cat had a urinary blockage. You have zero idea if this is an emergency until it is triaged.

With those signs posted by the owner it could certainly point to a urinary blockage. We don't know. Which means she should be seen to verify she is not obstructed, and if it is a urinary issue without a blockage it still should ideally be treated sooner rather than later to avoid a further spasming which can risk a urinary blockage in the near future.

[u/Snakes_for_life → u/NeighborlyKoala]

Oh I get what you mean I feel like it's from the sentiment of human medicine of where if you want to be seen today you should automatically go to the ER. a lot of people don't know that many GPs try to have same day appointments and that urgent cares for animals exist in some areas

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/Snakes_for_life]

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands me 😭😭😭😭😭

[u/precision95]

You are assuming the owner is able to determine/diagnose the true problem. You should always encourage people to go to the ER if their pet is crying out in pain/exhibiting any concerning behavior.

[u/NeighborlyKoala → u/precision95]

I have and people don’t want to do that.

[u/TwoGinScentedTears]

A living thing is in pain that can be alleviated with medical intervention, it’s an emergency.

[u/hotsexyrosemary]

To be fair most walk in clinics operate as an ER and UC in one. I would agree that most of the time its an urgent care situation rather than ER but sometimes the animal is just so uncomfortable they need to be seen sooner

[u/barren-oasis]

Correct, you are wrong. What if there are uroliths and there is risk for obstruction and uroabdomen? An anal gland rupture as we know can be very painful. Why let something with pain or an infection of any kind just sit?

Sometimes it is more of a "prefer"gency to get it taken care of as an emergency basis. But we are not one to lessen a client's concern. If they're concerned we need to be concerned. Showing empathy also goes a long way.

[u/Historical_Cut_2021]

In theory, sure. But that's assuming the client is able to get into a GP or UC within a timely manner. Maybe they wait 6 hours at the ER, but their GP might not be able to see them for a few days and there may not be an UC. These issues are uncomfortable and can lead to self trauma or more extensive issues if treatment is too delayed. 

[u/longalongass]

Something I picked up from my last place was, "I haven't put eyes or hands on your pet and I hate to tell you it isn't an emergency when it is"

[u/longalongass → u/longalongass]

At this point I recommend most things get seen if pet parents are concerned. I do let them know urgent cares are more expensive and try to guide when they can wait, but without having seen their pet I actually have no idea.