Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care > Sick cat >

Ask Your Cat Question. Cat Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Cat Question?)

My cat was fine the day before yesterday, ate good and everything, the next morning he refused to eat so I immediately took him to the vet where he had a temperature of 103. Today his temp is down but he refuses to eat (still at the vet). His red blood cell count is up and his protein levels are high. Could this be FIP or hopefully, just a reaction to something else? He is an inside cat, never goes out, he is 6 and 1/2 hears old. We live in an older house, and he has pica behavior, maybe he ate something.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $30

It COULD be FIP, but it is highly unlikely unless he is exposed to other cats. I would not euthanize a cat based on a high titre reading if that is all there is to go on. This could be a renal problem which sometimes starts in cats about this age. I would try to get him to eat anything. Many cats that won't eat will eat A/D - a prescription food from the vet for anorexic cats or Gerber Baby Food - turkey or chicken. I hate for you to get to the point he needs to be force fed. I would request x-rays or ultrasounds to check for an obstruction, especially since you know he eats nonfood items. A temp of 103 is just a bit above normal (101-102.5) so the fever in my opinion could have been from the stress of seeing the vet. At this point, you need to find out if things can pass from the mouth all the way through, so feed him whatever he'll eat - even resorting to tuna if necessary on a short term basis. I would also check for hyperthyroid and diabetes to rule out those issues. Good luck and let me know what the vet finally turns up.

Please Press ACCEPT if my answer helped solve your problem.
Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.

Reply to Lori's Post: He is exposed to other cats in our house, he is a nutered male and the other three cats are spayed females. He is by far the largest wieghing about 15 pounds, he is not fat just a large cat. He is a registered pixie bob. The vet did x-rays to check for obstructions mone were found, I do not know if he has defecated since he has been to the vet (there since Thursday morning when he would not eat his breakfast) He urniated a large amount (ususal for him) thursday before we left fot the vet. I pray that you are right and it is not FIP. I am bringing him home Tuesday after they do more blood work to see if his red count goes up. I will keep him home he is really stressed there. None of our cats go outside.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on September 2 2006 at 11:25 PM

If you have not brought any new cats into the house in the past 6 months or so, I would still put FIP at the bottom of the 'worry' list. If he has always been healthy, that's another plus. FIP tends to affect cats with poor immune systems. If your vet makes house calls, I would try to get him to come out rather than subjecting your boy to the stress of going to his office. Most vets WILL make housecalls - they just don't advertise the fact. Let me know how things go. It's good that his kidneys seem to be functioning well!

Please Press ACCEPT if my answer helped solve your problem.
Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.

Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

Just Answer! > Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care

Related Answers