Adopted From the Shelter

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Debi
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Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:18 pm

Adopted From the Shelter

Post by Debi »

I adopted a 1yr old female calico cat last week from the shelter Thursday. She was spayed Friday and was able to come home Friday evening. She weighed only 5.2 lbs when I brought her home. The first night she did eat a little dog food, drink a little water and a few cat treats. Now in order for her to eat I feed her by hand and give her milk for kittens with a food baster. Sunday morning I did see her drinking a little water. I also give her Nutri-Cal and Missing Link hoping to increase her appetite. She sleeps constantly, and usually under the covers. She also sneezes which I have been told is from her stay at the shelter. Is this normal for a cat that has been in a shelter? She has a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow. I also have a sheltie. There was no hissing or hair raising at all since I brought her home. My dog was raised with cats so I didn't expect anything from him except wanting to play and clean her all day. Needless to say, I am already totally in love with "Gismo". She is very very loving and will sit on your lap all day.
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Traci
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Re: Adopted From the Shelter

Post by Traci »

No, it's not normal, and since it's been 4 days post-op, you need to get her seen by your vet immediately. If you mean to say she is also lethargic, combined with not eating, she needs to be seen immediately to rule out potential infection. Check her inciision site and make sure an infection is not surfacing (swollen, red, oozing blood or pus, feverish, etc)

The sneezing could indicate an upper respiratory infection that should be treated by your vet...this could also be one reason she is not eating, can't smell her food. (btw, never give dog food to a cat)

Get her to your vet immediately please, ...in the future, never rely on a shelter vet for complete veterinary care or followup care from a spay, etc. All newly aquired cats and kittens, regardless of where you get them, need an immediate full exam by your regular primary vet, tested for FELV/FIV, dewormed if necessary and vaccinated accordingly.
..........Traci
Debi
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:18 pm

Post by Debi »

Traci,

Thanks for replying to my concern. Her incision looks terrific. She was spayed by an outside Pet Hospital (licensed vet). We do have an appt. to see my vet a 4:00pm CA. time today. This was the first available appt time I could get with this vet. I didn't want to take her back to the original vet. She does have a very loud purr motor when she wants to and does try to wiggle away from me when it is time to eat now. She also uses her kitty box all the time.

I am hoping after her appt. today and receiving antibiotics she will soon be a terror at home. My dog is waiting patiently for that time in which they can play together. I leave dry food out for both my dog and cat, she just happened to decide she wanted to try his food (I am not certain that she actually ate it as it is pretty big pieces or her).

Thanks again for your reply. I will let you know what we find out today. I do know that I am definitely not ready to give this fight up!! She is worth every ounce and more!!
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