Sick cat, any advice?

[squillgurl]

Hello all....
I am currently unable to read any posts unless I search for them specifically,but fortunately I am able to post.
My cat Soxbox has become suddenly sick today. She was fine yesterday, and last night seemingly, but today she is definitely NOT. Naturally over the weekend when the vet is unavailable. So next best thing is TSB until I can get her there.
She wants to eat, but when I offer food, she hungrily sniffs at it and backs away. The same reaction to water....acts thirsty, gets ready to take a drink, then backs away. All day she has been sleeping and her naturally glossy smooth coat looks oily and rough, she obviously hasn't groomed herself. BAD sign for a cat. There is a small bit of clear discharge from her right eye, but it isn't red, nor does it appear to be painful. Normally, she is my shadow but today she wants nothing much to do with me. I turned her over to check for any lumps or injuries to her belly, but she didn't want me to touch her. There are no signs of any injury at all. Her ears are not hot, her nose is dry. No sneezing, etc. Haven't seen her use the litter box at all today.
I've made some homemade pedialyte which I intend to try and give her once it cools, because I'm extremely concerned with her becoming dehydrated.
Any ideas of what this could be? Or other advice as to what I can do? She has saved me before, I owe her! Besides, she is one of my fuzzy children and very much loved!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :( :( :(

[SammysMom]

Is it possible that she is having a tooth problem? How does her breath smell? Maybe a little baby food like beef and broth or something? I have a cat who ha the same behavior and she needed a couple of teeth pulled and a cleaning. Good luck!

[squillgurl]

Thanks, SM....her breath seems normal to me, and she is just 18 months old, I wondered the same thing, but she was just at the vet for her checkup and shots less than a month ago,and her teeth and mouth looked good. I feel so bad, I wish I could fix whatever it is....

[UDoWhat]

Hello all....
I am currently unable to read any posts unless I search for them specifically,but fortunately I am able to post.
My cat Soxbox has become suddenly sick today. She was fine yesterday, and last night seemingly, but today she is definitely NOT. Naturally over the weekend when the vet is unavailable. So next best thing is TSB until I can get her there.
She wants to eat, but when I offer food, she hungrily sniffs at it and backs away. The same reaction to water....acts thirsty, gets ready to take a drink, then backs away. All day she has been sleeping and her naturally glossy smooth coat looks oily and rough, she obviously hasn't groomed herself. BAD sign for a cat. There is a small bit of clear discharge from her right eye, but it isn't red, nor does it appear to be painful. Normally, she is my shadow but today she wants nothing much to do with me. I turned her over to check for any lumps or injuries to her belly, but she didn't want me to touch her. There are no signs of any injury at all. Her ears are not hot, her nose is dry. No sneezing, etc. Haven't seen her use the litter box at all today.
I've made some homemade pedialyte which I intend to try and give her once it cools, because I'm extremely concerned with her becoming dehydrated.
Any ideas of what this could be? Or other advice as to what I can do? She has saved me before, I owe her! Besides, she is one of my fuzzy children and very much loved!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :( :( :(
The coat condition is usually dehydration. I would say you have to sug-q fluids because she will not take the fluids anyway. Try with a syringe, but if she is blocked DO NOT give fluids. I would try to look in her mouth. If she is hungry/thirsty and can't drink she may have a tooth issue or a mouth or throat issue. If this is a UTI she will need abs right away. Baytril or amox or clavomox. I'd call an emergency clinic, but if anything like ours around here it is twice as expensive as reg Vet. But sometimes you have to do what you have to. Call your Vets office and see if they have a Vet on call or a number to reach them. If you think she is not blocked do you have sterile fluides, syringes and needles to sub-q? I use to have to sub-q my cat for years in kidney failure. I could do it while he slept . He got use to it.

[gs1]

i'd take her to an emergency vet ... asap....

because she could have a bladder infection/kidney problems etc...

this is how my cat acted....

on the other hand sammys mom is right too... could be teeth.....

but you can't have her like this for another day or longer....

she needs to use the litter box... you can imagine whats happening to her bladder if she has an infection etc....

hopefully you'll get more help soon.....

but i wouldn't wait at all.... even an emergency vet is better than nothing... luckily she's a cat ...and most of them know cats very well....:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[SammysMom]

Maybe a hairball? If so, you can get hairball stuff at many different stores where they carry pet products. I still think it sounds like a mouth problem though.:grouphug

[squillgurl]

I do have syringes, they are for insulin, can those be used? I'm not afraid to sub-q her....just need to know where, and with what? Any sterile solution I don't have. As far as an emergency clinic goes, I would definitely take her, but I can't drive at night....can't see, and my neighbor is gone for the weekend. I'm kitty sitting for them...:shakehead I could possibly get to the corner Walgreens. Nevermind, just past ten, they're closed.
I really, truly appreciate everyones input. Thank you!
Okay, just smelled her breath again...YUCKY, smells awful. Maybe it is teeth.....

[gs1]

:grouphug

just remember if it is a blockage her bladder could burst if you keep putting fluids into her.....

i appreciate your position is there a taxi that you could use???

anyway ... i'll be praying for her for tonight ... i hope tomorrow will bring good news and lots of pee .....

(ps: maybe she's not using the litterbox cause she is dehydrated... i really don't know.... :grouphug )

[squillgurl]

Thank you, gs1....
I have not SEEN her go, but that doesn't necessarily mean she hasn't....
she's usually pretty private about these things, lol. But, if she hasn't I truly think it is dehydration. She will not drink water that has been in the bowl longer than 12 hours, so I fill it often, and she is usually there to get a nice fresh drink. Thinking back about that, she didn't come get any when I refreshed it yesterday afternoon.....
I am praying for her too, and I'm going to be up with her tonight. I will get her to a vet as soon as I can in the a.m.
Thank you for the prayers!

[UDoWhat]

Insuline syringe is too small, But tomorrow you could get a 10cc syringe and give with that. I think if nothing else, at least sterile water. That would be at pharm. But I don't know if you can get without a prescription??? Also syringe at pharm. Don't know about that without a prescription , either??? I would go to emerg clinic and at least be sure she is stable anyway. The right fluids would be a benefit to her. Needs NaCl 9%, I think anyway. That's what I had to use with my old sweet kitty.
Praying for sweet kitty.:grouphug :Love_Icon

[squillgurl]

Thought I would give a little update this morning....
Soxbox slept next to me all night, on my pillow. She wants to be close, but just not touched. She also ate an entire can of moist cat food, which is pretty good for her, considering she only eats maybe half when she feels good. The more I observe her, the more I believe this IS a mouth/tooth issue, so thank you for the heads up Sammy's Mom :)

She gets around just fine, jumps and runs whenever she feels like it (which really isn't alot but she will if she hears me open the front door :nono ). She is smacking her lips and swallowing very often and licking around her mouth too.

I am going to continue to watch her closely today and take her to my vet first thing in the a.m. I know they will work with me financially and I'm sure this is going to be pricey if it turns out she needs an extraction :/

Thanks everyone for the prayers, please keep them coming :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[rygel1hardt]

Your cat is pretty young for tooth issues but of course it is still a possibility. Is there a chance she could have swallowed a sewing needle or something similiar? It is quite common in cats for some reason. Will she allow you to look into her mouth/throat? Just a thought and I hope the vet will be able to help you tomorrow. Stacey

[UDoWhat]

Hi Thanks for the update. You could look in her mouth and see if there is anything stuck. Also mouth issues can go bad quickly. Make sure your Vet knows this is an "ASAP" situation. Sometimes the front desk people don't get it unless you push. Do you have any antibiotics? You could begin them if you think she needs them for abscess tooth of mouth infection. Eating is a very good sign! Prayers for kitty. Update if /when you can. Stuff like this just makes me nuts, especially when it is the week-end and Vet is not available.:shakehead

[squillgurl]

Your cat is pretty young for tooth issues but of course it is still a possibility. Is there a chance she could have swallowed a sewing needle or something similiar? It is quite common in cats for some reason. Will she allow you to look into her mouth/throat? Just a thought and I hope the vet will be able to help you tomorrow. Stacey

At this point, pretty much anything is possible, the only thing I know for sure is that it does have something to do with her mouth or teeth or throat. I have looked in her mouth, but she didnt like that much so my time in there was limited to a couple of seconds. I didn't see anything. I think she is pretty young for teeth issues too, but I'm not a vet (yet), so I wouldn't have a clue :). I'll be working on that later this year, and then maybe I can be of some help around here, instead of always needing it :thumbsup .

[squillgurl]

Hi Thanks for the update. You could look in her mouth and see if there is anything stuck. Also mouth issues can go bad quickly. Make sure your Vet knows this is an "ASAP" situation. Sometimes the front desk people don't get it unless you push. Do you have any antibiotics? You could begin them if you think she needs them for abscess tooth of mouth infection. Eating is a very good sign! Prayers for kitty. Update if /when you can. Stuff like this just makes me nuts, especially when it is the week-end and Vet is not available.:shakehead

OH YEAH! Tell me about it!! And with me, it's ALWAYS a weekend ordeal :shakehead
My vet clinic is a very small one, I know I will be able to call and go right in. I've been there so often lately, we are on a first name basis, lol. Within this last month I've taken the dog in for shots and grooming, then again because he hurt his back leg. I've taken Sox in for her checkup and shots. While I was there I adopted a new kitten and have been back twice for shots, and its back again tomorrow....I'm keeping them in business!
As for Sox, I did see her drink a little bit...very little, whlle ago. I'll keep you updated!

[DipityDane]

Sometimes kitty's can get eosinophilic plaques inside the mouth, under the tongue, on the gum's or in the back of the throat which are SUPER sore and makes kitty very reluctant to eat. Typically with this tho you see a bit of drooling and there is a foul odor from the mouth. Does this kitty go outdoors?

[squillgurl]

I just called the vets office to leave a message that I would be bringing her in first thing in the morning. I expected to get the answering service. Instead, I got the Doc himself :D . I explained the situation and he said he isn't available right now, but he'll be back at 5. Call him first to remind him, and bring her in. Awesome! Gotta love this guy today :alright.gif

[squillgurl]

Sometimes kitty's can get eosinophilic plaques inside the mouth, under the tongue, on the gum's or in the back of the throat which are SUPER sore and makes kitty very reluctant to eat. Typically with this tho you see a bit of drooling and there is a foul odor from the mouth. Does this kitty go outdoors?

Hi, and thank you for the information!
She is strictly an indoor cat unless I let her out for a minute or two with me to check mail. Other than that, outside is forbidden...city ordinances, cat hating neighbor....
Her breath IS very nasty. And she is swallowing often, which is why I'm pretty sure it does have everything to do with her mouth.

[DipityDane]

Glad she'll get in quickly tomorrow! Let us know what you find out....Sound's a lot like either ulcer's(eosiniphilic or viral stomatitis) or an oral foreign body is a good possibility. Loves to the poor girl, hope she feel's better soon!:Love_Icon

[squillgurl]

Thank you very much!
She will go at 5 today :thumbsup
Are ulcers treatable with ABs?

[DipityDane]

OH! 5 tonite! Even better! In the case of mouth ulcers in cats there are multiple causes...some infectious...some immune mediated....some secondary to other underlying causes such as dental disease or FIV/FeLV. Sometimes the cause is viral infection in which case there might not be a lot to do other than antibiotics to ward off secondary bacterial agents....possibly steroids to reduce inflammation...and soft diet to facilitate eating. Some cases are treated and never return...other's are reoccuring thoughout the cat's life at some point...and in the most extrememe and unresponsive cases surgery is sometimes used to gain relief. I'm guessing that in the case of your kitty, IF she has oral ulcer's, and this is the first time....you may just be sent home with some antibiotic and hopes that she clears with time provided no other abnormalities are noted on exam. If it hasn't been done recently he may want to confirm her FIV/FeLV status.....Also as mentioned above an oral foreign body such as a sewing needle could be a possibility....kitty's are so inquisitive and this get's them into trouble often. We've seen needles...thread....cat toy part's and even a thumb tack in cat's mouths....we also have seen kitties with oral electrical burns as a result of chewing on wires. Please let us know what you find out! Finger's crossed for kitty!
Erin

[squillgurl]

Ouch! Well, hopefully not, she is more of a string/bug girl, but really whatever it is, I'll feel better knowing for sure so I can get her all fixed up :Love_Icon . I love all of my fuzzies, but she and I have one of those very special bonds. There are 5 people in this house, but I am HER person. My grandfather is always saying she is a one lady cat :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
Thank you so much for your input :grouphug

Jennifer

[UDoWhat]

Thank you very much!
She will go at 5 today :thumbsup
Are ulcers treatable with ABs?
Not sure, but I am so glad you are going today. You'll both rest better tonight. Let us know how it goes, when you can. Praying for an easy answer and a good report. :Love_Icon BTW, Bless your Vet!

[SammysMom]

Nothing like a vet who really cares! Bless him/her for being available on a Sunday. Hope all went well at appt. Do let us know how it went. :grouphug

[squillgurl]

Update: I just got back from the vet. Soxbox had a fever just over 103. Nothing wrong with her mouth or teeth....but she has an upper respiratory infection and some kind of allergy. She got a shot for both, and he says she should be feeling much better by tomorrow. :wott
She is mad as hell at me, which NEVER happens....but it is sooo worth it!!!:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

Also- being that its a weekend, and after hours, the emergency exam, shots and all....$75 He is a little elderly man, walks with a cane, barely gets around....and yet he took his time to see my kitty. Have I mentioned that I love this guy??

[DipityDane]

Yay, glad kitty's ok! Hopefully by tomorrow she'll be feeling lot's better...and yes, it does sound like you have a great ol' vet!
Erin:thumbsup

[UDoWhat]

Update: I just got back from the vet. Soxbox had a fever just over 103. Nothing wrong with her mouth or teeth....but she has an upper respiratory infection and some kind of allergy. She got a shot for both, and he says she should be feeling much better by tomorrow. :wott
She is mad as hell at me, which NEVER happens....but it is sooo worth it!!!:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

Also- being that its a weekend, and after hours, the emergency exam, shots and all....$75 He is a little elderly man, walks with a cane, barely gets around....and yet he took his time to see my kitty. Have I mentioned that I love this guy??
:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou for the update. I was worried. I love this Vet too. The next time you see him tell him he has adoring fans at TSB. Bless his heart.:Love_Icon :Love_Icon Feel better sweet kitty, Sox and her Mommie.:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Glad to hear this news! Excellent vet care! :thumbsup

[squillgurl]

Thank you everyone. :grouphug Without your help and support and prayers, I'm pretty sure I would have been a basket case. I will pass the love and knowledge of a new fan base along to Dr. Grogan...he is wonderful :D .