LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

Comments

Hi Marcy,

You are right to be worried. A major change in behavior can signal an underlying illness. You don't mention the age of your cat, but the first thing that came to mind was possible renal failure. I think you should take her to the vet as soon as possible and have some basic blood work run. This will tell you quite a bit about what might be the underlying health issues with your cat and your vet can tell you how to proceed.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Im worried about my cat. She has been urinating in odd places, eating alot, and been crying and requiring more than usual attention. She is just acting weird. Please give me some guidance.

-- Contributed by: Marcy

Hi Hannah,

A change in food can cause digestive issues. I would give it 24 hours and see if the issue clears up on its own. If it does not, then take it to the vet. Especially with kittens, you don't want to let something like this go on too long as the cat can get dehydrated.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I found a kitten yesterday on the street,it was very thin.I took it home and fed it.But today the kitten has got bad diahheara.I don't know what is wrong.It is still eating well.

Thankyou for any advice.

-- Contributed by: Hannah

Hi Nancy,

I know how frustrating this can be. It does sound like Haley is acting out a bit. You can first try isolating the cat with her litter box, food and water for about a week or two. Ideally, this would be where the litter is permanently located. Haley should have her own litter box. The rule of thumb is one box per cat in a household. Some cats simply won't share their litters. Since Haley is mainly in your daughter's room, is there perhaps an attached bathroom or you could purchase a large cage to place her in during this time. This isn't a punishment. She can be petted and such. You are simply retraining the cat.

Also, your daughter should purchase a good enzymatic cleaner from the local pet supply store and thoroughly clean any bedding and the mattress. Even if it has already been laundered, the scent can remain enough for the cat to smell it, so it is vital to use the enzyme cleaner.

Hopefully this will help the situation, but if not please don't hesitate to come back and we'll give you a few more ideas. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My daughter adopted an 8 year old cat named Haley 2 years ago and lived alone in an apartment with the cat for one year without any problems. Last year she and Haley moved in with me and my two older cats. Haley would not socialize with my very friendly cats and remained in my daughters large room and would venture out on the balcony daily. She seemed contented. Then about one month after moving in Haley began pooping on the bed sometimes while my daughter was sleeping in it. She has been examined by the vet and has no physical problems. How can we break her of this bad disgusting habit? It is becoming more frequent. She is very lovable and we hate to put her up for adoption. But I'm thinking she just wants to be the only pet in the house. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: NancyF.

Hi Pat,

You need to get Snugs to the vet as soon as possible, even if you have to take her to the emergency vet. The combination of not eating, drinking and lethargy are serious. Since she is only ten, she can likely be treated. Most cats live to be around 15 or 16 and many live to be 20. Of course, there are always exceptions to this, but it is possible she still has many good years left in her. Please check back and let us know how it turns out. I really hope she is okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I'm worried about my friends' cat. 2 weeks ago she seemed to be losing weight. Now she barely eats and I havn't seen her drink any water in a couple of days. When I give her a can of food she will lick the juice off of it but if she tries to take a bite she has trouble getting it down. Her weight lose is very obvious now, but what worries me the most is her breathing. It appears to be rather rapid, but I'm not sure about labored. She was never a real energetic cat but she would always get up to come and see me, now she just lays there waiting for me to come and see her. She is about 10 yrs. old and has been deaf all of her life. I havn't noticed any coughing or sneezing but she is vomiting more then she normally does. I know she is up there in the years but her rapid loss of weight and appetite make me think it is something else. Any clue to what it might be and/or what to do? Snugs needs help fast! Thank You, Pat

-- Contributed by: pat

Hi Delanie,

I would get her to the vet immediately. A few days of not eating might be a normal adjustment to new cats in the house, but not drinking either is of major concern. She is likely dehydrated, which is making her feel worse.

The vet will likely run some blood tests to rule out any common communicable diseases. Please keep us posted and let us know if she's okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat has suddenly stopped eating a drinking. We recently had a litter of kittens in the house but she seemed okay with them. She plays with them and ate with them for weeks. Their mother is gaining weight whereas my cat is not. She had gained some weight but hasnt eaten for around 2-3 weeks other than when we force feed her(it sounds mean but i dont want her to starve). Over the past 2 days she has stopped drinking as well. We have tried hard food, canned food, human food (chicken pork bologna, etc.), and milk with eggs. She refuses to touch any of them. Any idea how to help her? Shes only a year old and her behavior is very strange and upsetting

-- Contributed by: delanie gilbert

Hi M Ward,

How long as the vomiting been going on? Is it a small amount or a large? Any blood in it? If it is just a single incident and the cat is otherwise fine, I'd just watch him or her closely. However, if the vomiting has been going on for more than a day, or the cat has other symptoms, I'd go ahead and take him or her to the vet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

No symptoms except vomiting. Otherwise perfectly normal

-- Contributed by: M Ward

Hi J. Burns,

Most cats do not like their stomachs touched, so he may just be expressing his preference. The shots you mentioned shouldn't have caused him any pain in his abdomen. However, since he is also experiencing some weight gain, combined with a sudden tenderness in that area, I'd probably go ahead and take him to the vet. He may have some fatty tumors or a blockage.

Take note of how often he is using the litter box (both defecating and urinating), if he is lethargic and any other details. This information will help the vet diagnose what might be going on with him.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 11 year old indoors cat has always been on the thin side. Since he had a rabies and a leukemia shot a month ago, he has gained several pounds and seems a irritable when touched on his belly. What does this mean? He does not seem lethargic or acting out. Thanks for the help. Jean

-- Contributed by: Advise requested - 10 yr old male

Hi Sophia,

You can't really tell if a cat is ill by their nose's moistness. Any number of things can impact that in both dogs and cats. However, the lethargy is of some concern. I would probably keep a chart of when your cat acts lethargic. What has he done beforehand? How long does he act this way? Any other symptoms? The half-crazed dashes sound like normal cat episodes to me. All my cats have done that over the years. Is it possible he is getting into a toy with catnip?

I would take the chart to your vet at the next checkup and tell him that your cat seems lethargic at times. However, if you notice a worsening in symptoms or other symptoms crop up, I'd take him to the vet immediately. Things to look for:

Trouble urinating or defecating
Increased or decreased thirst
Increased or decreased hunger
Extremely lethargic
Major fur loss
Tremors
Yowling as though in pain

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat hase very warm ears and pads, his nose is dry, and he has been acting odd lately switching from lathargic to half crazed dashes around the house. What does this mean?

-- Contributed by: Sophia

Hi Paige,

If you think it is worms and it isn't yet time for a regular checkup, then you may want to take a fecal sample into the vet and have it tested for worms. However, if it tests positive, the vet will want to see him to get a weight. This will help him prescribe the right amount of medication based on your cat's weight.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Chicky,

The fur loss on his neck sounds like it's likely from the flea collar. Either it may be rubbing away the fur or he may be digging at the collar and causing fur loss. The loss on his side, since it is just in one patch, sounds like it is likely from the same thing. I wouldn't worry too much unless it grows irritated or expands quite a bit.

However, I am concerned about the vomiting and diarrhea. He could very easily become dehydrated. I would go ahead and take him to the vet for a general check up. Be sure to tell the vet all the issues he is dealing with, but especially the vomiting and diarrhea.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We have two outdoor cats that have and use a litter box in our gargae and the outside. Their foor and water is in the garage and they can get to it. They somtimes come int he house and my daughter plays with them. Sometimes they are gone for a couple days sometimes 3-4 days. Anyway they are both rather thin and mu husband suspects that one has worms because he is so thin and seams to eat all the time. I think he eats all the time because he takes off for days at a time and he's trying catch up on eating. Should we be concerned and take them in to be checked out?

-- Contributed by: Paige

I have 2 kitties. My male is about 14 years old (15 in a few months) and has always been a spunky healthy cat. He has had vomiting occasionally over the years but never had health problems. He has always been cranky since he was 4 weeks old and that has not changed. He went outside up until he was 6 months old and then was inside only for years. Within the last year he started going outside all the time again. He is occasionally vomiting again but has had diarrhea for a while now. I had a feeling it was stuff from outside as he has not been going more frequently just is runny when he goes. Otherwise he was still his same old cranky self. He also now has a flea collar for the 1st time ever. He started losing the hair around his neck under the flea collar but is still himself. Then I just noticed a patch of fur missing on his left side half way down his body. It is bald to the skin and does not bother him to touch it, no change in behavior, has had weight loss in the last few months but he is active outside where he used to be lazy inside. He is just no longer over weight. Could the flea collar be bothering him and cause the patch of fur to be lost? He is not itching except sometimes under the collar. My female cat who stays inside is still her normal healthy self, but also has a flea collar just in case. I didn't want to take the collar off him as you cannot (trust me) keep him inside. He will get very feisty, still being normal of him when he wants something. Is weird because he is still his active cranky self and doesn't seem bothered when he goes to the bathroom either it's just runny and slightly greenish.

-- Contributed by: chicky401

Hi Sharon,

The combination of weight loss, throwing up and the foul smelling odor show that he is in severe distress. It does sound like some sort of blockage, but could be something much simpler, like a food allergy. I would suggest that you take him to your vet as quickly as possible. Be sure to describe all the symptoms in full as you did here. The vet will likely run some basic blood work and see what comes back before running further tests. Please let us know how he is doing.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

It appears my cat has either an intestinal blockage or adeno carsinoma. He has lsot from 14 to 8 pounds in the lasdt 6 weeks. He does not eat..and if he does, he throws it up. It is the most foul smelling...looking and smelling like poop. I haven't seen him poop in weeks. I am afraid he is going to die in front of my eyes.

-- Contributed by: Sharon

Hi Jeff,

Have you tried changing her to a food for sensitive stomachs? You may want to try that before doing surgery on her. Siamese tend to have sensitive and finicky stomachs. She may have some mild allergies. Also, hairballs can contribute to the problem as well.

I would also monitor her while she is eating and make sure she is not eating her food too quickly. As cats age and their teeth grow softer, they sometimes gulp their food without chewing. This can contribute to the problem.

If none of this helps, then you may want to consider the scope or some X-rays to see what else might be going on with her.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Female Siamese mix 10yrs wakes up vomiting sometimes twice per week. Stool(4-6 in. 3/4" diameter EOD) and urine appear normal.I have limited her wet food to minimize and helped some. My vet want to do exploratory surgery.

-- Contributed by: Jeff

Hi Isabella,

It certainly does sound like she is failing to thrive and grow properly. The fact that she is lethargic combined with her lack of appetite is worrisome at her age. Has the vet tested her for some of the more common illnesses, such as Cat Flu?

I think you are making the right choice to wait to have her spayed. If she is particularly small, the anesthesia might harm her too. I would ask the vet to run a series of blood tests to try to isolate what is going on. If she has an upper respiratory infection (very common in felines), it could cause some of these issues. Once you get that cleared up, and her health checks out otherwise, she should be able to withstand surgery better.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is about 8 months now and weighs only 1.6kg. a few weeks ago she lost her balance and developed a head tilt. the vet put her on anti inflammatries and anti biotics and she cgot better. she never has been a very energetic cat but recently she has had very little energy, she is slow and unsteady and eats very little. we were going to get her neutered this week but we are uncertain if she would survive the operation. in her litter there was a runt who died and she was the second smallest. she never has been a playful normal kitten but lately she has been very sad and we are very concerned for her health. any advice or previous experiences would be greatly appreciated.

-- Contributed by: Isabella

Hi Christina,

It sounds like your cat has some sort of infection and likely a very serious one. The shaking of the head is likely trying to clear out all the infection and gunk. I would go ahead and take him/her to the vet as soon as possible. You don't want the infection to enter the bloodstream.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

shaking of the head, ears flap, one ear seems to be swollen and lays flat, shedding to where is getting a bald spot on neck

-- Contributed by: Christina

Hi Sherry,

It really sounds like she has some sinus/upper respiratory stuff going on. Some cats are very prone to this. If left untreated, it will likely just get worse. I'm also worried that she can't seem to focus.

I understand about the money issues. My suggestion would be to phone your vet and explain that your cat is ill, but you've just lost your job. See if he will work with you and either delay payment or come up with a payment plan of some sort. If he says no, I'd just phone every vet in the phone book until you find one that will work with you and help you out. Good luck. I hope she gets better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Rebecca is a 5yr old, sedentary, overweight, indoor/outdoor type who avoids other cats. She's been eating Hills W/D for a year, but isn't being treated for any other health issues. A week ago Rebecca very suddenly started keeping her inner eyelids half to 1/3 closed. When looking around she seems to mostly move her head rather than her eyes, and appears to take a little extra time focusing. (Maybe because it's hard to see past that inner lid?) At first that was the only symptom, and I suspected a scratched eye. But yesterday her eyes started running a little, and now she's shaking her head, and is a little short tempered. The discharge from her eyes is clear, she isn't sneezing, and her eating, drinking, and litter box functions are all normal. The symptoms aren't severe, but have been slowly getting worse. Our other cat is usually the first to get sick, but so far he is showing no symptoms. I haven't isolated her yet, because she gets upset, but am considering it. Should I take Rebecca to the vet now or is it reasonable to wait a bit and see if it improves on it's own? (Normally I'd just take her in, but I lost my job and a $200 vet bill would be a major hardship right now.)

-- Contributed by: Sherry

Hi Justeen,

You don't mention how old your cat is, but you should go ahead and get her to the vet as quickly as possible. It sounds like she may be having some renal issues possibly, but the only way to tell for sure is to have the vet run some blood tests and check levels. Also, be sure to let him know she was eating the clumping litter to be sure she doesn't have some sort of obstruction in her system that might be causing these problems. I hope she feels better.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat has been acting very tired lately. She sleeps all day, hardly eats at all, drinks some, and also is unresponsive to fast movements in front of her face. Her eyes are starting to get cloudy and she claws onto things for dear life. She also walks like she's drunk and when jumping off the couch she falls flat on her face. I noticed she's been eating clumping kitty litter so i changed to pellets. What should i do?

-- Contributed by: Justeen

Hi Traci,

Since it happened all of the sudden and to both cats, my suspicion would be something the cats ingested. Is it possible that they ate a houseplant or ingested a mouse that could have gotten into poison? I would go ahead and take them to the vet, particularly the one that seems to be getting worse. The greasy fur is an outward sign of an inner illness. Let us know if they are okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

The other day, my cats suddenly seemed like they were feeling bad. Laying around and sleeping all day. Now, they are drooling, it seems. One has a sore on his nose but it is healing. Their hair is greasy looking and limp (that happened suddenly too). They won't eat or drink and when I tried petting one of them, he sort of backed away and gagged. The other one seems to be getting better while the other is getting worse. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Traci

Hi Pandora,

She may have some blood sugar issues going on, since she is a bit older. I would go ahead and take her to the vet and get a blood panel workup. This should give you a lot of information about anything hormonal going on with her, so you can adjust her diet accordingly. Grabbing an occasional bite of dog food shouldn't hurt her, but she really shouldn't be that hungry when you're already feeding her cat food. So, my advice is to get it checked out just to be on the safe side. You may find that she just has a big appetite.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is over nine years old and has been gaining weight for several years even though we have put her on a strict diet for over a year. She also acts as if she is starving - obsessing and hovering over her food bowl when it is empty. We will occasionally catch her trying to eat the dog's food as well. Does this sound as if something more serious might being going on?

-- Contributed by: Pandora

Hi Pandora,

She may have some diabetic or other blood sugar type issues. However, weight gain is a common problem as cats age, particularly if they aren't very active. I would go ahead and have a basic blood panel ran to make sure she doesn't have anything more serious going on. The vet will be able to tell a lot from these simple tests and they shouldn't cost too much.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

-- Contributed by: Pandora

Hi Kendall,

Did the vet run any tests for organ functions? Sometimes as cats age, their organs simply begin shutting down. If the antibiotics don't help, I'd ask for some additional tests. Sometimes steroids will help a bit, if the organs are beginning to fail.

You may also want to get a second opinion. The lack of thirst is the thing I'd be most concerned over. She has to take in water to stay healthy. Hope she feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is 15 yrs. old. she is slugish,no appetite,no thirst.and lost weight.blood test were negative. the vet put her on antibiotics. but dont know whats wrong.this all came on suddenly

-- Contributed by: kendall

Hi Bob,

It sounds like one of two things might be going on with her. First, she may simply have a bladder infection and need antibiotics. The frequent urge to urinate is a sign of that. The other thing is possibly diabetes, but that is rarer. Either way, you really do need to take her to the vet. He will likely run some blood tests and perhaps catheter to test her urine output. Your best bet is to talk to the vet about your finances and explain how much you are able to spend. If the bill looks like it might go over that, the vet can let you know and the two of you can decide how to proceed. Some vets will work on a sliding scale or will let you pay in payments to spread out the bill a bit. If it is a simple bladder infection, it shouldn't cost much to treat. However, if you let it go, the infection may cause more damage to her system.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat "Baby" who is a 6 y.o. spayed female is suddenly excessively thirsty and is urinating frequently. She has also urinated on area rugs or in the middle of the floor. I know she should see a vet, but I'm afraid that the treatment may be costly. (?)

-- Contributed by: bobandlaur

Hi Roxy,

It definitely sounds like a pretty serious infection. Is it possible he got into a fight with another animal? If not, then it may be an upper respiratory infection. I would take him to the vet immediately. If his mouth is hurting, he may stop eating and drinking, which could wind up really risking his health.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I came home yesterday and my cats eye was swollen shut and it had a yellow mucus coming out of it. His mouth also seems to be in pain, and he is not eating. Any suggestions as to what is wrong with him?

-- Contributed by: Please help

Hi Monica,

It sounds like Kiki is definitely not feeling well and you're smart to be concerned. Since she isn't eating or drinking, I'd go ahead and suggest you take you to the vet. The hissing and hiding is likely because she is ill. Cats tend to hide when they aren't feeling well.

The vet will be able to do a physical exam as well as some blood tests that will really help to narrow down what might be going on with her. I hope she feels better soon!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our 10 month old spayed kitten Kiki has been behaving very strangely today. At about 6:15pm yesterday 12/11, we left the house and she stayed in. when we went to bed, hubby asked if I'd seen her and I said no but went to check outside. No Kiki. I figured she was in one comfy sleeping spots. Normally she is up when the kids leave for school and she is active and frisky, calling for breakfast. This morning, I called for her and shook her bowl. (she will usually come RUNNING!) No Kiki. I walked around the neighborhood 20-30 minutes looking for her. Didn't find her. At about 1 pm, she comes out from under my bed, goes to the litterbox, pees and poops and returns straight to under the bed. I left her alone. When the kids and hubby came home, they tried to coax her out with food and toys to no avail. Finally this evening, hubby moved the bed to check her out. She hissed, bit and scratched him. She's NEVER done that before. I tried to pet her and she meowed a little. Her nose is wet. She got up and went to the litterbox, peed and proceeded back to her spot under the bed. She has not eaten or had any water today at all. She is usually a little fireball that loves being played with. She goes outside to run around but doesn't stay out for more than a half hour at a time. We are really worried. Any ideas on what could be wrong?

-- Contributed by: Monica

Hi Hannah,

Her behavior really concerns me. She may be experiencing some renal failure. The fact that she wants to stay in the tub may be because it is cool and she can lay there and drink any water that drips. It also sounds like she may have lost control of her bladder a bit to be having so many accidents.

I think you should go ahead and take her to the vet. He or she will do some blood work to see what levels her kidneys are functioning at. There are some medications and things that the vet may be able to give her to help her, such as steroids.

Whether it is renal failure or something else, she definitely needs to see a vet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Please help me with my cat. She has always been a very outdoorsy cat, but extremely friendly and a lap cat when she wants to be. However, recently she has been sleeping in the bath - she won't leave it, not even to go ouside if she needs the toilet - shes been going actually in the bath. Also, if someone needs to go in there, she just sits next to it and tries to jump up onto the side. She also isn't washing herself, and smells terrible. Also, she is eating, but has suddenly become extremely skinny - all skin, fur and bones! We don't know exactly how old she is, as she adopted us as her new family about 4 years ago, when she was all matted and lonely and we think she was a stray, but the vet said she was probably about 5 when we found her, so that makes her about 9 now . She has also become extremely clingy and wants to sit with you all the time, but we have to push her away as she smells terrible. Please help!

-- Contributed by: Hannah

Hi Shelly,

He may have a blockage in his urinary tract or an infection. Since it is a male cat, this can be life threatening. You should go ahead and take him to the vet as quickly as possible. The vet will likely put him on an antibiotic and you'll probably have to feed him a special diet to prevent future recurrences.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat threw up several times yesterday, is kind of staying to its self and today peed on my sons lap, I then noticed bloody looking mucus near his genitalia

-- Contributed by: shelly

Hi Dave,

Did the vet do any type of blood tests to find out what might be going on with Cookie? Without narrowing down the root cause a bit, it is hard to say how serious the condition is. It certainly doesn't sound good and I would be very concerned. If the vet did not do additional testing to try to find out what is going on with such a young cat, I would probably seek the advice of another vet and see if he or she will do further testing. Be sure to describe all symptoms fully, so the vet can narrow down what might be the cause a bit.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi...my room mates cat is 10 mths old and cant really walk much nemore it was a bit wobbly before but now cant jump on couch or sometimes just falls on its side while trying to sit,walk,eat...an will urinate and other business in unappropriate places..it makes no noise ...and constantly seeks to sit on anyones lap..yet it eats ok..an seems in no distress the vet has given a course of pills but was a bit unknown to the problem..he gave a 50/50 on whether it would be ok..but how can my roommate just give up on the cat without knowing if little cookie might survive... just trying to help out my roommate...ideas?

-- Contributed by: dave

Hi Megan,

Since Finn is a male cat, I would advise that you go ahead and take him to the vet immediately. Male cats are prone to crystals in the urine. Some cats seem more sensitive than others. The problem is that they can actually die if the problem progresses to where they are having trouble urinating at all and they can die from blood poisoning. I had a cat die from this when I was a kid.

Although this may not be what is going on with Finn, any time a male cat in particular changes their litter box habits so drastically and suddenly and meows with it, I would play it safe and get it checked out.

Be sure to tell the vet everything you told me along with any other details you can think of, such as changes in drinking habits, eating habits and litter habits. Science Diet does make a food that will help prevent the urinary tract problems for male cats, so you may want to invest in that. It costs a little more, but pays for itself in peace of mind and less trips to the vet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my 5 yr old male cat, finn, started vomiting suddenly followed by urinating while laying in the middle of the floor. he was meowing loudly during all of this...a painful meow. this lasted less than 40 minutes. now he's sleeping. he seemed perfectly normal 2 hours ago. he's a 24/7 indoor cat and all poisons are locked in a closet out of his reach. my other cat shows no signs of problems. about a month ago, i changed their food from "indoor formula" dry food to "sensitive systems" dry food. my other cat, nitt, started having issues with the indoor formula which were immediately resolved with the switch. any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: Megan

Hi Cathy,

How strange that he would be bruised. I've never heard of that either. Is the vet testing him for leukemia? That can cause easy bruising.

The first thing I'd probably ask is if your cat goes outside. Is it possible he could have been harmed, tousled with a dog, hit by a car or kicked by a neighbor? Or perhaps he jumped off something tall and didn't land correctly.

The vet is doing the exact right thing with the blood tests. That should tell you a lot about whether the condition is a disease or physical harm. I hope your cat feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 12 yr old, neutered male cat (Himalayan/Maine Coon mix) suddenly started hiding from us, stopped eating dry food, and lethargic. Took him to Vet & discovered his belly was bruised from neck to back toes. Vet has never seen this before and neither have I. Blood tests being done, antibiotics given, Vit K given, Hill's Prescription Diet A/D given. What is wrong with my "Baby"?

-- Contributed by: Cathy's Baby

Hi Kathy,

The vomiting may just be from the disruption in her routine and any changes in cat food. Siamese tend to be very finicky over what they eat and get upset tummies easily. At least, every Siamese I have ever owned has had these issues. The love and affection they offer is more than worth dealing with buying special food, however.

I would take her to the vet for the blood in the urine. It sounds like a urinary tract infection more than likely. Either way, you'll need medication and treatment for her and the vet will be able to give her and overall checkup to rule out any major issues and put your mind at ease.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Sheena,

Since she isn't eating or drinking and is losing weight, I would take her to the veterinarian. It could be something simple as a minor infection or something more serious. The vet will likely want to run some blood tests and rule out various diseases. Unfortunately, it will be a case of narrowing down what might be wrong. I would give the vet as many details as you possibly can about changes in behavior, when they started and how long it has been going on.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi-We just bought a rescue cat,siamese,about a year old.She seemed fine but now has vomited three times in the week since we got her and we are noticing that she has been urinating outside the litter box.We've also found some blood spots near where she was urinating.We don't know much about her and were wondering if this is possibly just a urinary tract infection or something more serious.These are her only symptoms.Any info is greatly appreciated.Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Kathy Gillette

Saya, is 1 1/2 years old. Something seems wrong with her. Im not sure what is wrong with my kitten and I'm worried about her. Here are somethings wrong with her.

1.She's not eating or drinking 2.Sudden weight loss 3.Doesn't seem lively or happy 4.Seems seperated from siblings sometimes 5.Her tail twitches weirdly

Please, is there something wrong with her?

-- Contributed by: Sheena

Hi Courtney,

I think the fur loss is likely from the fleas. It can take a while for it to clear up. He may also be overgrooming a bit due to the stress of the move. Some cats don't react well to big changes.

On the loose stool, have you changed his cat food? That can cause loose stool until his body adjusts. If he continues to have runny stools, then I would go ahead and take him to the vet. Try to also take a sample of the feces, so the vet can test it.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, My cat is about 6 years old. Bear has been picking his hair out around his back legs, tail and belly. He seems hot to me. Bear is eatting fine and drinking. Peeing with out any problems, but this morning I noticed his stool was very thin and light coloured. He talks all the time and shares his home with 7 other cats. Recently we just went through a battle of fleas and all the cats were treated. I'm wondering if it's stress? Maybe a skin condition?

He moved in with me during the summer from living with my ex, so he went from being outdoors to indoors but showed no signs of stress then. He loves to cuddle and gets along well with the other cats but now he's very patchy and yuck looking. Any ideas? thank you

-- Contributed by: Courtney

Hi Arlene,

It could be any number of things, from a respiratory infection to something more serious. Because of the labored breathing, I would go ahead and take her to the vet. Try to be as specific as possible when you tell the vet her symptoms. For example, be sure to tell him the following:

Her age
If she's been eating and drinking okay
When you first noticed any symptoms at all
Any previous history of this type of illness
Any chance she could have gotten into poison?

Cats have been known to hyperventilate when under severe stress, but the vet will want to rule out any major problems. He'll likely do a blood test and base his treatment on those results. Please check back and let us know if she's okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi,

We've just found our cat in the kitchen with her tongue sticking out of her mouth, drooling, and a bit of labored breathing. She's walking around but meowing with a closed mouth. What could this be????

-- Contributed by: Arlene

Hi Jessica,

I would go ahead and take him to the vet. Dehydration is going to be the main problem you have to worry about right now.

Try to gather as many details as you can for the vet before you go, so he can properly diagnose the cat's condition. Examples might be:

Is the cat an indoor or outdoor cat?
Is it possible he could have gotten into any type of poison?
Are there any other symptoms, such as lethargy?
When did the illness start? How long has it been going on?
Has the cat tried to eat and drink and just can't keep it down?

Hope he's okay. Please check back and let us know.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 4 year old male cat isn't eating or drinking and is throwing up. Is this something serious?

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hi Kim,

You should take him to the vet immediately. Some serious diseases, such as Cat Flu can cause this type of problem. While it may just be a more minor infection, it is best to get treatment as quickly as possible. Also, if it is a disease, he will be contagious to any other cats in your home. Let us know how he's doing. Hope he's better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat has exsessive dirreah and he cant help it if he goes. His discharge has a color of burnt orange. It is thicker than pee but not like poop. One of his eyes is letting go of mucusey type stuff. HELP!!

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi Vivian,

It is possible an infection can get into the bloodstream and make an animal ill. Or the infection may have been a result of something else. I would go back and ask the vet to run some more bloodwork and explain that the cat is not eating or drinking. It is good that you are getting some nourishment into him. That is likely keeping him going.

Please let me know how he's doing.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our cat Singh has been sick for 2 weeks, we took him to the vet, they did x-rays and blood work. He is on prednisone and clavamax but is not responding to treatment(this is day 6). He still won't eat or dring, I'm giving him baby food and pedialite with syringes. He had an infected abcess 2 months ago and was treated for that. Could the infection gotten into his muscles or inside of him. We don't know what else to do-HELP

-- Contributed by: Vivian

Hi Dawn,

Since she is so disoriented, I would take her to the vet immediately. It's possible she has gotten into some type of poison and quick treatment could save her life. It may be something less serious, such as an ear infection or something else causing the dizziness and trouble walking, but better safe than sorry.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, We have and indoor/outdoor cat Angel. We went away for the 4th weekend (a friend stayed at the house with her)She was just fine when we got home. Then all of a sudden (4 hours later) after crawling out from underneath the bed, she had a hard time walking. It's like she would try, and then just lay down. She was breathing heavy, she had rapid eye movement (from side to side). What do you think it could be. It was scarry, she has never been sick. Do I wait 24 hours to see if it is serious? Or is it serious?

-- Contributed by: Dawn

Hi Lindsay,

Cats can have allergies just like people, so it may just be that. As long as she is eating and drinking and acting normally, I'd watch her for a couple of days. If any of that changes or she has a discharge, then get her right to the vet. Also, if you notice her coughing or catching her breath, get her to the vet. Hope she feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi,

My 3 year old cat has starting sneezing pretty constantly over the past day. I had never heard her sneeze before in thre three years I have had her. She seems to be eating and going to the bathroom normally and doesnt otherwise seem ill or ucomfortable, but the constant sneezing is starting to concern me. Is it possible she just has a cold or do I have to take her to the vet?

-- Contributed by: Lindsay

Hi Luisa,

Poor kitty. It sounds like he has an infection from the surgery. The antibiotic should begin to make a difference in 24-48 hours. I would keep a very close eye on him and if you notice any worsening (more lethargy, trouble breathing), get him right to the vet. I hope he feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi,

I just got my 6 month old male cat neutered. He hasn't recovered very well. He is drooling quite a lot and he shakes his paws as if he has stepped in water when he walks. He is also very lethargic and seems very uncomfortable. The surgery was 3 days ago. I took him to the vet this morning and he had a low fever, and the vet gave him a slow releasing antibiotic shot. However, he does not seem better. Any advice?

-- Contributed by: Luisa

Hi Christina,

It's good that you treated her for worms, however there are different types of worms. If you did not take a fecal sample to the vet and have it tested, you may need to do that to be sure that you treated her for the right kind of worm or that she doesn't have a second variety that is making her feel bad. I would work on that first, but I would probably go ahead and take her in for a checkup. It sounds like she may be in some sort of pain with the unusual meowing and she may be trying to ask for help in her meowese language. I hope she feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat key key has been acting very odd. she will sit in the middle of the floor and just meow. she has been keeping to herself more than normal, and doesn't seem as friendly. i noticed the she had worms in her stool, so i treated her for that, but its a few days after the treatment and she has still been acting very weird. i looked at all of the symptoms and illness's but didn't see anything that was close to how she's been. do you have any feedback about what might be wrong?

-- Contributed by: christina

Hi Ashley,

Since she is hiding and stumbling, I think you should go ahead and take her to the vet. It may just be that she is a little dehydrated, but because of her advanced age you need to make sure that it isn't any organs failing or other serious issues. Also, anytime a cat is lethargic, it's important to take him/her to the vet.

Please check back and let us know if she's okay. I have a sixteen-year-old cat too.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi, my cat is 16 yrs old and has never been ill but yesterday she threw up and had diarrhea, this passed after around 15 hours but since then she has been very unsteady on her feet and when she tries to walk she leans to the right almost to the point of falling over, she can also only manage approx. 10 steps before needing a rest. On top of this she is constantly hiding away under our beds. Any idea of whats wrong? could it be a stroke?

-- Contributed by: Ashley

Hi Tom,

Since he is lethargic, I would go ahead and take him to the vet. It's possible he was hit by a slow moving car and is in pain or that he has been in a cat fight or such. Be sure to write down all his symptoms in detail before going, so you won't forget to tell the vet anything. I hope that Noot feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat Noot is acting strange- he suddenly started sleeping with me- he wants to sleep all the time now- wants to be under the covers and it is starting summer here and very warm- he seems to be losing a bit of weight but is still eating. He also is shedding an awful lot.

this weird behavior started about 3 weeks ago- he was out all night and didn't show up- after awhile I found him in a woodpile- he seems a bit disoriented.

He wants to sleep in dark places and seems lethargic.

he was vacinted in5-10-07for FVRCP rabies and feline leukenia.

-- Contributed by: tom

Hi Alex,

Since he is an outdoor cat, he is susceptible to many different feline illnesses, such as Cat Flu and Distemper. You should take him to the vet and have him tested. Anytime a cat loses weight suddenly, it is a great cause for concern. They are so small, that they can't afford to lose much.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi John,

I once had a cat that this happened to and she never fully regained her voice. It is possible that he has an upper respiratory infection of some sort. Have you noticed any drainage or rough breathing? I would probably go ahead and take him to the vet just to be on the safe side. If he has an infection, it really needs to be treated before it grows worse.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a 3 and a half year old british shorthaired male. He is an outsoor cat and goes out frequently. I have been noticing some problems, my cat stop eating, but eats only a little. He has a very dry cough, but doesnt always cough. He lost a durastic ammout of weight, and just seems like he gave up. He just has no more power, and sleeps, and has a is deep breathing through his mouth, we first assumed its a hairball and gave him hairball remedy. Its been happeing for the past 3-4 days. He is drinking fine, but i dont know what to do with him, plese help me.

-- Contributed by: Alex

My cat lost his voice. He always talked a lot, but for the past two days he very seldom talks and whe he does it's very raspy as if he had a sore throat. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: John

Hi Hope,

It's possible she has some sort of inner ear problem or infection. There are some more rare things that could be going on with her too, however. I would take her to the vet. If she can't get her bearings, that could be a dangerous situation for her and cause injury. The vet can run some tests and find out what the cause might be and treat accordingly.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Lisa,

Make sure that you used a dosage for cats. My daughter was about four when she decided our cat needed flea medicine. The bottles looked almost the same and she actually put dog flea medicine on our cat. It was very toxic to her. She started having seizures.

I would go ahead and take him to the vet, because of the lethargy. It is something to be very concerned about. If you have any bottles left of the Frontline take that with you as well, so the vet can test if necessary. Hope everything is okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My kitty has held her head funny for years. She has also been unable to walk right. the last couple of weeks she goes in circles and when frightened she falls over and can't get her berings. Can you tell me what the problem is.

-- Contributed by: Hope

i recently used frontline spot on cat and my cat has since been sick and seems very lethatargic.he usually eats felix food but have bought wiskers which he has eaten in the past and he wont touch it.he will eat other things though.the weather has also been warm and he usually loves going outside but just wants to sleep all the time and isnt his usual playfull self.he is 7 months old.should i take him to the vet?

-- Contributed by: lisa taylor

Hi Tanysha,

Since this has been going on for a while and she isn't able to keep food down and is losing weight, I would go ahead and take her to the vet. She may have some type of infection or blockage which would need to be treated, or it may be as simple as switching her to a food for sensitive stomachs.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 11 year old cat has had a dramatic weight loss over the last month. She now feels "bony" to touch. She appears hungry all of the time, but then sometimes vomits after she eats. However, she still has a beautiful coat, and seems active and playful. Should I be worried, or is this normal as she gets older? Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Tanysha

Hi Liz,

I would go ahead and try to get him into a vet this evening if at all possible, since he seems so lethargic. With him not drinking water, I'd be particularly concerned. Cats, like humans, can become dehydrated quickly. Please check back and let us know if he's okay, so we don't worry.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my 8 year old cat hasn't eaten or drank or even been to the toilet for the past 36 hours, all he does is sleep, I am very worried about him, we are going to take him to the vet tomorrow if he is no better is that leaving it to long? please help

-- Contributed by: Liz Law

Hi Steve,

She may have some type of upper respiratory infection or allergies. I would go ahead and take her to the vet and have her tested to be on the safe side. If you have other cats in the household, keep them separated from her until your vet gives her a clean bill of health. The ASPCA usually checks cats out for communicable diseases, so it is probably something minor.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I just got my cat from the spca and she is sneezing alot. She is still very active and having fun, she still eats and acts like a normal cat. She is five months old, what should I do

-- Contributed by: Steve

Hi Bud,

Does she vomit every time she eats? I would also look at whether she is losing an excessive amount of weight. Unless it is life or death, you may want to experience with some different types of food and such before doing an invasive and expensive procedure and then move forward with that if the more natural remedies do not work. I would buy the best food I could afford for sensitive stomachs and see if that helps at all. Be sure to switch her slowly to the new food, by adding in 25 percent new to 75 percent old for a few days. Then, go to 50/50 for a few days. Do this in 25 percent increments until she is on the new food.

Also, you may have to try several different brands to see if you can find one that works, or even different versions in the same brand. My focus would be on sensitive skins and stomachs however.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Lilly cat vomits after eating and drinking, is losing hair and has herpes she takes lysine. we have had her at the vets and doctor Kay doesn't know why she does this. she has recommended endoscopic procedure, what would you recommend. she does this two or three times a week.

-- Contributed by: bud

Hi Bert,

I'm not as worried about her wanting to be near you but the lethargy is something I would be concerned about. I think I'd go ahead and take her to the vet for a checkup just to be on the safe side, since this is an older cat. Please check back and let us know if she's okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi, our cat just started exhibiting some rather odd behavior. when she sees me head for the coach, or anywhere else to sit, she races towards the area and then maneuvers herself onto my feet. i may even be standing in the kitchen cooking and she'll hunker down my feet. yesterday, she began lying down practically on her food dish and crashing out for a while. she is an older cat.

-- Contributed by: bert

Hi Jen,

Is it possible that he could have gotten into something that is making him ill? Since he will not eat and seems to be feeling so under the weather, I would go ahead and take him to the vet. If he has gotten into some type of poisoning, time is of the essence. Hopefully it isn't anything that serious.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi...Two days after our cat came in after being gone all night. I went to pet him and he has no meat on his bones. He was very healthy. He is very tired and seems very hungery but won't eat or trys just a few bits then stops.I have tryed to feed him lots of different things. Our other cats are very healthy they stay in. Can you help ?

-- Contributed by: Jen

Hi Sandra,

It isn't likely that she would be that swollen from worms, but if you think it might be that, I would go ahead and take a fecal sample to the vet and have it tested. Even if worms are not causing the swelling, she may have them and need treated anyway.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, It's Sandra again. I thought my husband had wormed the cat, but he hasn't. Could it be worms as she has no other symptoms apart from always hungry.

-- Contributed by: sandra

over the last couple of days I've noticed after my cat has awaken from sleep he has had thick saliva on his mouth. along with labored breathing. we do know that he does have allergies but what could that be

Hi Natalie,

These could very well be signs of a respiratory infection. My best advice is to ask your vet to examine your cat right away. It may be necessary to administer antibiotics right away.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: natalie

hi my cat is around 7 years old the last few months i have noticed that her tummy has gotten bigger and hard .i have looked online to see if i can find out what it is .i have give her treatment for furball's and worms but she is still the same she is not showing any kind of symtoms im at a loss...sandra

Hi Sandra,

Let's do some brainstorming. If the tummy has gotten progressively bigger over just the last two months, it's very possible that your cat could be pregnant and due to give birth soon. If she's not spayed, this could be very possible.

Since you've already wormed her, we can probably rule out a large infestation, which can sometimes result in a pot-bellied look.

If your cat isn't pregnant, the enlargement and firmness could be due to an internal tumor. As you can see, it's difficult to determine exactly what is going on, so I recommend that you get in touch with your vet and take your cat in for an examination. Hopefully this is nothing serious, but if it is, it's better to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: sandra

Hi Juli,

Has the vet tested him for Cat Flu and some of the other communicable feline diseases? If so, then it very well could be allergies or an upper respiratory infection (URI). URIs are very common in felines. Cats can also be allergic to just about anything humans can. The vet can do some skin tests to find out what the cat's specific allergies might be, and your friend can then eliminate as many as possible.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My friend has a cat that is 16yrs old. He is being treated for recurring allergies and sinus infection. He is on a 4th round of stronger anti-biotic. He has lost about 10#, runny nose, sneezing, weezing and breathing problems. It just seems like there might be more than just a sinus infection if the medication wont work. Is there anything else with similar symtoms?

-- Contributed by: Juli

Hi Miah,

I'm sorry to hear your mom lost her cat in this way. The symptoms you are describing could be from any number of things. The only way to be 100 percent certain of what harmed the cat would be to have an autopsy done. Is it possible the cat got into some type of poison? Some of the symptoms sound a bit like poisoning, however it could have been something else.

I would watch the second cat closely for any similar symptoms. If you notice increased thirst or any type of swelling, I would take the day off work or ask to leave a little early one day so that you can take the cat to the vet. As soon as you can, you should make sure the cat has all its vaccinations and mention to the vet what happened to the other cat.

Good luck! I hope it was something non contagious.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hello,

I feel guilty for not doing anything about my mom's cat. We lost him early this morning. We are not really sure what happened to him. His tummy was so big, like he ate a whole lot, like it was bloated or something. He did not have much appetite since Friday last week, and he was not as playful as he was. But he drank water a lot, so thought that he just did not want to eat. Then there were times that he would vomit, but not many, and mostly saliva and some white, bubbly substance that looks like beaten egg whites. We did not worry too much about it because he still ate, only that not as many as before. According to my mom, he was having problems pooping.

I just want to know what could had possibly happened, and what treatment we can give. Should this be an infection, would this be contagious, because my sister also has a cat, who used to my mom's cat's playmate? I did not have time to bring her to the vet because the clinic in our area closes even before I get home from work.

Thanks.

-- Contributed by: miah

Hi Fida,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't blame yourself. It is hard to know when something is serious enough for the vet, especially when it happens that quickly.

Yellow bile is sometimes a sign of liver problems or issues. Cats are very sensitive to toxins. Is it possible that your cat got into some type of poison, such as antifreeze or rat poison?

Your vet can do an autopsy, if you want to know for certain.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat just died yesterday of unknown illness... smelly yellow liquid flow out of his mouth when he died. before that he doesnt eat or drink, frequently vomitting, loosening fur n excess saliva.i dont have a change to take him to local vet because it happen within 24-hours.. i felt angry to my self for not taking serious about it..now i miss my cat very-very much..

-- Contributed by: fida

Hi PG,

It sounds like old age combined with possible side effects from the medication. It is also possible that his diet may need changed. As cats age, their dietary needs change. Ask your vet about switching to a high quality cat food for elderly cats and/or sensitive skin. The difficulty walking would be of more concern to me than the skin issues. I would definitely mention this to the vet. It could be as simple as an infection throwing off his balance, or as complicated as loss of some organ functions. It could just be that he is stiff from arthritis too.

I just want to offer some encouragement to you about your cat's health. You will know when he is suffering and it is the right time to put him down. I had a sixteen-year-old Tabby that was growing steadily weaker the last couple of years of her life. I resisted recommendations to put her down, because she still showed joy in our company. I could see the spark in her eyes.

However, when it was her time, I knew. She was in pain and yowling constantly from the pain. Medications were not helping and she was not eating. Trust your own instincts. This is your cat and you've known him for a long time. You know him much better than the vet, because you spend every day with him. The vet can offer the best advice he or she has available from a short office visit, but the choice is yours.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, my cat is 15 years old and has been losing weight for a few months, from 14lbs down to 9. Recently he started "hiding" and not being his usual affectionate self and appearing a bit weak (having trouble jumping up on the couch, etc). I took him to the local vet, who ran some blood tests and found that his thyroid levels were at the upper end of normal, and prescribed some medication. The medication ran for three weeks and didn't seem to do anything (this finished a couple of weeks ago). I've noticed in the last couple of weeks crusty skin on his head and neck when I pet him, and just today he started having real difficulty walking, with his hind legs looking really weak and walking kind of sideways. He's still hiding, but doesn't particularly seem in pain and purrs affectionately when I pet him (although he yowls a bit when I first pick him up). I'm planning on taking him into the vet again tomorrow, but is there anything I should be asking the vet to test for (I have a feeling, based on a previous cat, that the recommendation from the vet will be to just put him down, and obviously that's a last resort, as I say he doesn't seem to be particularly uncomfortable)? Any other advice?

-- Contributed by: PG

Hi Candy,

I would take her to a vet as soon as possible. Without hearing the other symptoms it's hard to know exactly what might going on but it would be anything from some type of reaction to a toxic substance to an infection in her body. An examination will better determine what is going on with her. Please check back and let me know if she's okay. I'm very concerned for her.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat's eyes are dilating in and out and her hind legs are shaking....what should i do?

-- Contributed by: candy

Hi Mojo,

I'm sorry your cat isn't feeling well. I'm surprised the vet didn't try to locate the source of the problem for you.

Since he has not been vaccinated, this could be any number of things. It may be a minor infection that could be treated with antibiotics and it could be something much more serious such as distemper or Cat Flu. Did the vet run any blood tests on your cat?

You may want to call your local Humane Society and some animal shelters in the area and ask if they have discount or free clinics for pets. Explain your financial situation and your concern over your pet. Another option might be to call your regular veterinarian and ask if he will work out a payment plan or allow you to exchange work for his or her services. The only way to find out is to ask.

Without some type of veterinary help, I'm not sure what else to tell you to do. The large sores are definitely troublesome, especially at his age. And the fever indicates some type of infection. Good luck. I hope you're able to find the cause and help this cat. It sounds like you love him a lot.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is sick and the vet said he had a fever of 103.8.his lymph nodes in his throat are swollen and is bleeding from large sores in mouth.he is also drooling.this male 5 yr old cat has not been vaccinated and he goes outside.he still seems to have an appetite despite the huge bleeding mouth sores.he appears to have been in a fight.please help.he is a beloved pet,and I have no more money for the vet.

-- Contributed by: mojo

Hi, Courtnie,

If your cat is meowing loudly and panting or lying down, then there may be an underlying health issue. It is hard to say if the cat is pregnant. Has she been exposed to a male cat while in heat? If so, then it is possible that she is in labor. It doesn't sound like she is in heat as she would probably be walking around and trying to find a way outside as opposed to lying down.

My advice is to take her to the vet and describe her symptoms. He'll be able to easily tell if your cat is pregnant or if there is another health issue.

Please check back and let us know if your cat is okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is constantly meowing and lying down all the time. is this pregnancy, a mating period, or a serious illness? please tell i really need to know!

-- Contributed by: courtnie
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