Hi r/cats,
I’m Dr. Chris Bern, DVM, a practicing veterinarian who regularly treats cats and helps pet owners navigate a wide range of health concerns. I also work as a Pet Health Expert on JustAnswer, where I help people better understand what might be going on and what steps may make sense next.
In general practice, we see everything from routine issues to more urgent cases, so I’ll be answering questions about how to recognize when something might be urgent versus when it may be reasonable to monitor at home.
A lot of cat owners run into questions like:
- Is this something I need to go to the ER for right now?
- Can this safely wait for my regular vet?
- Is this normal behavior or a sign something is wrong?
I can help explain how veterinarians typically think through these situations and what signs we look for.
Topics I can help with:
- Common symptoms such as vomiting, not eating, lethargy, or limping
- Behavior changes and when they may signal a medical issue
- Subtle signs of pain or distress in cats
- When something is more likely urgent versus non-urgent
- What information is helpful to gather before contacting a vet
A few starter questions:
- My cat has not eaten in a day. When does that become concerning?
- How can I tell if vomiting is something serious or not?
- What are subtle signs a cat might be in pain?
A quick note: I can provide general, educational guidance based on experience, but I cannot diagnose or replace an in-person exam. If your pet may be in immediate danger, it is always best to contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic right away.
Proof: https://imgur.com/a/r26iU5r
About this AMA:
We’ve invited independent Experts who use the JustAnswer platform to share insights in this open Q&A. These Experts work independently - they are not employees or spokespersons of JustAnswer - and their opinions are their own.