Pidlan, she says that the cat was walking oddly and huffing when breathing. Those are potentially indicators of very serious injuries, and vet's advice is needed before anything else should happen.
I am aware of this because I have recently had to have my beloved cat put to sleep because of a creeping spinal condition (old age, not injury- he was almost 17) which caused him to finally lose control of his lower half during the night of Christmas Eve and the very early hours of Christmas morning.
I spent my Christmas morning at the out of hours vet with him, having taken the earliest appointment I could get. The symptoms he had were sort of similar to what the OP described although he didn't seem to be in pain and had not been outside. In the meantime I took advice over the phone, kept him as still as possible on a cushion on the floor until it was time to go. That was what alarmed me when she talked about bathing him.
I don't for a moment think that the OP's intentions were anything other than good. Nor do I think she is a cruel person.
I suspect that I reacted more harshly than I should have done, and for that I apologise. It is still quite raw with me, having lost my old boy in that way.
I hope OP's cat is able to pull through. Whatever the outcome, I do actually have some sympathy.