Advice on sick cat - not eating, vomiting, etc

[kks1030]

One more thing, how could he be perfectly fine on Friday (running around and playing like a maniac with the new kitten, eating, happy, alert, no problems) and then seem sick on Sunday. How could a virus strike so suddenly? I guess I realize it could happen, but it's so unbelievable. That's why I keep wondering if he was stung by a wasp or bit by a mosquito (I found a dead wasp and dead mosquitro on the floor in the house on Sunday) ate something like a plant, etc.

Our kitten that died and had FIP declined slowly over a period of weeks. This is all of a sudden.

[Traci]

Many health conditions and infections develop suddenly and without warning. Some conditions can be latent for weeks/months/years and symptoms of illness can develop suddenly due to a stressful event/situation or due to an environmental risk (such as the new kitten being brought home with an upper respiratory infection, and history of assumed FIP in the home.

You say he howls when handled or touched and is lethargic, why haven't you notified your vet or called an ER vet as advised before? He could be developing a fever now, or any other significant health issue, which demand investigating, treating, etc.

Irregardless of how rapid symptoms developed, it's crucial that testing measures are done immediately to start ruling out obvious things.

What did the vet say about testing for calicivirus?

What did the vet say about testing the kitten for calicivirus?

Are the bloodwork results in?

Call the vet NOW and explain that kitty's symptoms aren't improving, that you feel he is painful or uncomfortable and is lethargic!!

[kks1030]

I did tell the vet - I had him in there yesterday. The howling only started last night and he was doing it this morning. And, I talked with the vet twice today. The blood results, including the CBC, were completely normal. They have him on antibiotics now and we are waiting for the results of the calicivirus test to come back hopefully today. They want me to watch him closely and bring him in tomorrow morning if he isn't improving. At that point, they plan to do another X-ray and Ultrasound because they suspect there may be an obstruction.

[Tambrey]

If they are suspecting an obstruction, and it has been THIS long already...I would be going there demanding the X-ray RIGHT NOW....especially since he strted howling lastnight....this kitty is in PAIN....from SOMETHING.....

[Traci]

I'm curious, he was at the clinic all day yesterday, so what exactly did they do for kitty all day? Sub-q fluids only?

Call back the vet and tell them you want a urinalysis and xray. If they suspect an obstruction, why wasn't a new xray done yesterday, and/or why haven't they urgently advised you to bring him back in TODAY for that xray? If he told you to watch for stool production, I could understand him saying that as opposed to charging you for xrays and enema, etc.....but it's been 2 or 3 days since you've noted kitty had a stool? If he's impacted or blocked, this can't wait.

A urinary tract infection or blockage are also possibilities, but when you say he is howling when touched or handled, this should be a RED FLAG to your vet that he needs to be agressive with diagnostics and get this diagnosed/treated immediately! When was the last time you noted he had urine production?

We're not aiming anything at you directly, it's your vet who should be urging you to get kitty back in for additional diagnostics, TODAY. Especially in light of obvious pain response, and lethargy. Then suspecting a blockage? Blockages cannot wait!!

[kks1030]

They already did an X-ray yesterday and nothing showed up. But, they are thinking maybe there is something in there that isn't showing. For this reason, they plan to do another X-ray in the morning and an ultrasound and then, obviously surgery if they find something. He didn't seem to be in any pain today and didn't growl when petted or picked up. So, I'm not sure if it's actually pain or if he was just so angry last night from being at the vet all day, stuck with needles, and X-rayed that he didn't want to be touched.

[kks1030]

Also, he has been urinating normally (I watched him). And, I am almost positive he passed some feces today as well. It's wasn't a lot - a small pile of droplets that had a diarrhea consistency.

[Traci]

Droplets of diarrhea consistency are not normal stool production. For every bite of food he has and every drink of water he has, is adding to the obstruction, if he has one.

Even if he was stressed by the vet visit, he shouldn't have been howling when touched or handled.

[kks1030]

Our kitty seems to be improving. Last night, he ate and had no vomiting. And, he showed some interest in playing (wrestling with kitten) and was purring. This morning, he passed stool and it wasn't completely "formed", but it also wasn't diarrhea. He looks better, played this morning with a toy and the kitten, and seemed generally happier. Not 100% but much improved. No more howling or meowing when picked up. I'm keeping close watch on him.

[Traci]

Did you keep the appt today? Was a new xray done?