I think my cat is very sick....

[Angie]

Hello all.....I've never posted here but I have a question about my cats strange behaivor. She is 1 year and 4 months olds...a very social cat. When we get home, she'll meet us at the door, she's always in the den w/ us etc. My husband has been in the hospital since Sunday night and I couldn't get her in sunday night before I went back to the hospital. She's spent several nights outside though, so this didn't alarm me. She came in Monday afternoon when I ran home and she acted a little 'stand offish". I just figured she was tired from being out all night plus she usually sleeps all day! Last night when we got home, it took her about 10 minutes before she came out of the back of the house and then she just laid down in the hallway and never came to sit on me or my husband. This is very strange behaivor. I picked her up to love on her and she was real limp feeling. No purring or nuzzling either. (also strange) I fixed her some food and some water and she just laid down by her bowl. She stayed away from everyone last night and was under my sons bed the whole night. This morning she's in the same spot she was. She usually sleeps w/ me and my husband in our bed!
I know I'm calling the vet this morning but does anyone have a guess as to what this could be. I've very worried about her...she's my daughters prize possession but I love her more than I ever thought possible also!!
HELP!!!

[Tina B and crew]

Hi Angie...you are doing the best thing you can by calling the vet and getting her in ASAP....it could be a number of things but only your vet can properly diagnose. Is she an indoor only cat or does she frequently go outside? She could be dehydrated, it could simply be stress. Stress can cause any number of problems in cats. When was the last time you saw her eat?? Drink?

[Guest]

She is mainly and indoor cat but she will go out sometimes. She will stay gone for several hours at a time then come home tired from playing all that time. I guess Sunday is the last time I would have seen her eat drink but I wasn't here but for a few minutes monday (just long enought to get more clothes) and not at all yesterday until 7:00pm. She refuses canned or dry food and water now. I put her in front of it last night and even rubbed some water on her mouth but she didn't respond.
I'll keep you posted. I have to find a 'baby sitter' for my hubby - he can't be alone b/c of surgery yesterday - then I'm calling the vet.

[jason]

I have to find a 'baby sitter' for my hubby - he can't be alone b/c of surgery yesterday - then I'm calling the vet.

call the vet asap as their schedules can fill up quickly, at least schedule the appointment...they should be able to fit you in today seeing how she is not drinking (can be quite serious).

please keep us posted on what the vet does/says.

[Mona]

If you kitty has not eaten since Sunday, this is very very serious. Cats can have liver disease set in in just a few days, so please call now for the appointment.

Can you possibly keep her inside, there are a lot of dangers outside such as dogs, antifreeze from cars, pesticides, people and other animals, not to mention traffice from the roads.

Let us know as soon as you find out about your cat, ok.

Mona, HOneybun and Chloe

[Tina B and crew]

Yes do call the vet and get her in ASAP...when they stop eating it doesn't take long for it to effect the liver....I'd try to get her in today if possible. I'll keep her in my thoughts and hope she's OK...do keep us posted.

[Angie]

I took her to the vet yesterday morning. Her temp was 105.3 and her gums were very pale. They kept her and worked on her (starting fluids immediately). They told me that they are 99% sure she has an abcess on her right rump area. They said it looks like she got in a fight and was running away when a cat bit or scratched her. They can't find a puncture wound, but said that's not uncommon b/c cats nails/teeth are so small.
They gave her an antibiotic shot and an anti-imflammatory shot as well. We have a rx of antibiotics for 10 days. They said the abcess may or may not open up.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm saving this site to my faves from now on!!!!

[Mona]

Angie~

That temperature is very high and I am wondering if the vet gave sub-q fluids to your kitty. She is probably very dehydrated. Is she at home now?

Please watch for signs of lethargy and not eating.

I hope she recovers from this and is back to herself again.

Keep us posted as to her progress ok.

Mona, HOneybun and Chloe

[Angie]

Mona -
Thanks for the info....she is not eating or drinking this a.m. I think they gave her iv fluids but I can't swear to it. I just checked her gums and they are pale pink again. I don't know if they pinked up yesterday or not....I just assumed they did. I think she should be perked up by now - at least a little bit.
I think I'm going to try to get her to eat some canned food. If she refuses, I'm calling the vet back. What do you think?
Angie

[Tina B and crew]

Angie...if she still isn't eating or drinking then I'd call the vet...did her temp come down? Can you check to see if she is still dehydrated? She may need regular sub-q fluids for a while...those abcesses can be nasty.