
Ask A Question - Help - Register - Login

My cat is sick! What can I do?

Sent to Cat Experts October 07, 2006 10:41 p.m.

We have had two cats for 12 years, and they have never been sick.

We just got my son a new kitten (4mo old or so) about 3 weeks ago.

One of my older cats (the siamese), we just noticed today is very lethargic (bue will hold his head up), whimpers when you pick him up, won't eat, his eyes are dry, he's spaced out, and will only drink a tiny bit. This afternoon we noticed when he went to the bathroom that it was diareah with mucus and blood in it.

I have no idea what could be wrong with him, he's just never been sick before! I feel so bad not noticing that he has been loosing weight, and now he fells pretty bony. His fur is just so fluffy that I hadn't noticed. His spine and leg bones just feel awful. He's lost at least 5 pounds. However, I *know* he was not sick last week, he seemed fine then.

I'm not sure how bad he is. He won't walk around, and if I pick him up and put him in my lap, he just sits, and he is NOT a lap cat.

At first I thought that he must have gotten something from the kitten, but I dont think the kitten is sick. He had had a respiratory infection before we got him and he has gas REALLY bad, but other than that the kittens behavior seems fine.

I don't know what I can do for him. We tried to give him canned cat food and tuna but he would touch either.
Advice?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $8

Answer
October 07, 2006 10:57 p.m. (16 minutes and 19 seconds later)

REPLIED

Since your cat is a boy, I am very concerned. Males can develope urinary tract infections fairly easily. Crystals form in the urine and will block the opening to the urethra and he will be unable to urinate. When this happens, urine will back up into the bladder and it will rupture if he is not catheterized before that happens. It doesn't take long for a bladder to rupture in a cat. Females, while it is important they get care also, will not totally block as the opening for their urine to pass is much larger. Since your boy is not drinking - probably due to the bladder being blocked, PLEASE get him into the vet TONITE as this is concerned a medical emergency. If you had a girl, you could safely wait until tomorrow, but she wouldl need to go also. Your vet will put the kitty on antibiotics and probably suggest a new diet for urinary tract health. I imagine he is probably totally blocked based on what you've said. Please let me know how your kitty is doing as I am extremely concerned!

__________________
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.

Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2589 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments

Reply to Lori
Sent October 07, 2006 11:06 p.m. (8 minutes and 15 seconds later)

He *will* drink some, but he will not eat.

Also, there is alot of weight loss, I would think the major weight loss would be a concern??

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
October 07, 2006 11:33 p.m. (27 minutes and 35 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Definitely. This can be a sign of hyperthyroid, diabetes or more than likely renal (kidney) failure. In a cat of 12 years of age, all of these are a possibility. I'm concerned too because he's not eating and cats cannot go for very long without food before they develop hepatic lipadosis, which is fatty liver. The cure for it is food. This is a catch 22 because they feel so rotten, they won't eat, but the only 'fix' is food. If he is that lethargic, he is very ill and needs to be on IV fluids in all likelihood. If you have any pedialyte (unflavored), I would try to get some of that in him with a dropper or syringe - one every 10 minutes for an hour. If you have a chicken breast you can boil and run through a blender with some broth to make a thick paste, you need to try to force feed him - but I would get him seen by a vet immediately. His best chance is to get on fluids so they can get his kidneys working and can force feed him if needed.

__________________
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.

Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2589 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments

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

Related Answers:

	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 & Feline Health Care Questions