Help, worried about my cat.

[Basketcase]

My cat is a 10month old oriental neutered male. He was in perfect health before this.

On Thursday last week, I took him to the vet with a temperature. The vet took bloods, and gave him antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.

He was lots better that evening.

The next day we got the results of the blood tests. An infection, or virus.

He has since had quite soft motions, but not diarrea.

Yesterday we took him back to the vet to get a course of antibiotics. He appeared to be perking up, but in the evening, he threw up lots of brown liquid. He was then very subdued and quiet for the rest of the evening.

At around 10pm he woke, and had very liquid diarrea, he wouldn't eat or drink anything, worried about dehydration, I have since been syringing water into him regularly. He has been up and about and quite bright, but still he won't eat.

Today he has been running about and acting fairly normally, however he still will not eat. I have been keeping the fluids up, but he has had no food. This afternoon he vomited again, just clear liquid.

I am worried with him not eating that it's going to affect his liver.

What could be causing this? I am very concerned, Should I be calling the vet now? Should I be syringe feeding him? Why is he not eating anything. Should I be concerned about the latest vomiting?

Please any help you can give me would be extremely appreciated.

[Traci]

Get him back to the vet or a NEW vet, immediately (yes, today, even if it means an emergency vet).

Why weren't antibiotics given after the vet exam last week? And did the vet recheck his temperature? Was an FELV/FIV snap test done? (is kitty current on his vaccinations?) What did the vet assume the infection was from? Was a fecal exam done to rule out bacterial infections, salmonella, e-coli, parasitic infection, etc? Was a urinalysis done to rule out urinary tract or bladder infection? Was oral health checked thoroughly?

Have you ruled out kitty getting into something in the home? (Is he INDOOR ONLY?)...any plants, toxins, chemicals, rancid food (or any recalled food), human meds, etc that he could have gotten into? Did the vet rule out impaction or obstruction in the stomach/intestine? Vomiting water and not eating could be indicative of an obstruction, need to rule this out IMMEDIATELY!

If the current vet didn't address the above testing and rule-outs, get kitty to a NEW, more experienced vet, NOW. The longer he suffers dehydration, inappetance, vomiting, the more risk, get him to a new vet immediately.

[Basketcase]

Hi

Thanks for your prompt response. The vet did give Antibiotics last week, in an injection.

I asked him yesterday if he know what infection it was, he says he had no idea, just that the bloods show signs of infection/virus, or even an allergy! Not terribly helpful! He didn't do fecal or urine analysis no.

He has a sister, regarding the toxins, etc.. she is fine.. completely bouncy and herself. Of course I know this doesnt rule anything out, he could have eaten anything! But as far as I know there is nothing in the home that could have caused this.

He goes outside, but only into my garden. Again if he has eaten a plant, I haven't noticed this happening.

Regarding FELV/FIV he comes from a breeder whose cats are regularly tested for this, and are - she tells me - guaranteed free...

But surely the vet would have tested for this in the blood work?!

Tonight I have hardened my heart and with my husbands help, syringed Science diet A/V into him, but only 5ml. I thought I should get something into him, if I was giving him an antibiotic tablet! I followed it with water. I hate doing this to him..

I lost two kittens earlier this year, one with FIP, the other with Colangio hepatitis. They died within weeks of one another.

I am terrified this is going to happen all over again.. I will call the emergency vet right now!

Thank you I will ask the questions you have posted here.

[Traci]

The FELV/FIV combo snap test is a seperate test. And, it's hard telling what "blood" tests the vet already took, it could have been minimal or extensive, didn't he tell you what it was? I suspect it was only a CBC, which can only detect the presence of an infection, but does not indicate the cause or location of the infection. Fever activity is usually indicative of a bacterial infection, but combined with vomiting, refusal to eat, dehydration, diarrhea and now watery diarrhea, this is and should be, very concerning to your vet.

Don't assume the breeder tested unless you have documents stating and showing results from accurate testing. Also, depending on the age when tested will depend on accuracy of the test. All kittens should be tested at least twice, from 12 weeks of age, up to 4-6 months of age, especially coming from a cattery or breeder's environment.

Again, see a new vet IMMEDIATELY. Do not force feed him water or food when he is vomiting and has watery diarrhea, since if he has a blockage or obstruction, this will only worsen the situation. The best course of action is to get him seen by an emergency vet and fluids support given by the vet, additional testing, testing for FELV/FIV, fecal exam, etc. An xray can be helpful to detect and locate sources of inflammation and/or obstruction. Be sure to tell the new vet what injections, antiinflammatories were given, in cats, one has to be extremely cautious about dosing antiinflammatories and the new vet needs to know they were given.

Don't wait on this please, it sounds like the symptoms are escalating. Get it nipped in the bud TODAY with a new exam and testing before it gets worse.

BTW, please, keep kitties Indoors ONLY.

[mamabear]

Please let us know what new or regular vet says when you get back.

[Louis's Mum]

Edited, Admin note: for readers following this post, do NOT fast a cat for "2-3 days", cats cannot go 2-3 days without eating or fluid intake, or their liver will be severely affected, as well as severe dehydration occuring.

Did vet say to fast him for 2-3 days and give an anti-emetic. My vet gives Maxolon to combat vomiting after a short fast. My 8 year old Burmese has had 2 bouts of vomiting this year, some blood in the vomit. Calmed down after 1st round of treatment and expensive Xrays. Then 3 months later started again and different vet took bloods - came back with probable gastric ulcer, so he is back on the maxolon and eating minced chicken breast awaiting a specialist visit. Hope your baby well - but keep the ulcer thing in mind just in case.