Dpes anyone have a clue- Cat acting off

[MA]

I am worried about one of my cats- Bartee
This morning he can't eat the wet food (which he normally loves) and when he tries he makes this really sad and long drawn out meow-similar to a cat in great distress. He did this the other day as well, but then he chowed down on dry food, so I dismissed the sound. But now he can't eat without making this strange meow?

I am going to call my vet but they don't open for a few hours yet? I checked his mouth, I see great teeth, no ulcers, I see no blockage in his throat? He is affectionate and loving, But the food makes him act off and he refuses to eat it and makes this weird noise.

Now if he were just refusing to eat the canned and eating the dry I would blow it off as nothing, but the stressed out meow which I can't describe has me really worried? He has been put upstairs away from all the others

Any clue? Traci? I hope you or davet sees this. I am really scared, because my one cat Shredder was doing the same type of thing last year and even after multiple vet visits, three days later Shredder died on my chest.

[Anne]

I hope he's going to be ok MA. I guess as you can see nothing inside his mouth or around his face and neck it must be something internal. I have a feeling the vet won't have any quick answers either - he may have to run some tests to find out what's wrong. I hope Bartee gets better real soon!

[Traci]

MA, how old is Bartee and does he have any other illnesses or prior to today?

Looking at the teeth isn't a reliable method of a full oral exam, can't see the back molars or hidden abcesses, ulcers, ulcers under the tongue/palate, etc. A full oral exam is the first thing I would recommend.

Might opt for a quick x-ray to determine if there might be a blockage or inflammation in the intestine, or even to rule out constipation (if your vet is unable to determine this upon palpation). And, of course if he hasn't had any full blood profiling done within the last 6 months to a year, get it done, including thyroid panel.

Have you tried feeding him something else, a different brand or tempted him with anything else? Is he drinking normally? Normal urine and bowel habits? Any recent vomiting? Does he have access to outside?

[MA]

He is 5 years old, he is an inside/outside kitty. But mostly stays inside at night during the day he stays on our property and doesn't wander. He has a small patch of skin missing under his eye and a little scratch. (looks like a claw mark) but not infected or bleeding at all. He has had no illnesses in his life and i have had him since he was 7 weeks old. I have tried kitten glop, fancy feast, friskies wet, royal canin dry, and boiled chicken. He eats one mouthful makes that mournful cry and goes over and hunches down in the corner. Vet can't get me in until 2:00

[Traci]

Refusing food and hunching down may indicate he's painful.....where remains to be determined.

If you have baby food, try that (remember, no onion or onion powder).....or chicken broth, anything he can lap at rather than chew, in the event of a loose/abcessed tooth, etc.

Try feeling his abodmen, if it is distended or if he flinches in pain, try to up your appt if you can, tell your vet you're more concerned...

[MA]

No distension, no hardness, does not flinch or cry out when he is palpated. he has that real long soft fur and about two weeks ago I took him in to a new groomers- my old one is on vacation and they lion shaved him. Keeps him so much cooler in the hot weather. When he came home he was acting strange, lethargic for about 2 hours. I called the gal and asked her if she sedated him (I did not agree or sign for that) she said No, I asked her if there were any noticeable problems? (Hubby had picked him up for me) and she said "he fought his bath" well DUH he is feral after all- which she knew about. I wonder Trace this late in the game could she have injured his throat with that restraint?

[Traci]

Well possible, but unlikely...usually in a tracheal injury, the signs are evident right away, but do mention that to your vet so he knows. Although, something like bacterial infection might play a part, possibly even a viral he picked up at the groomer's. Just for you, MA, I'd suggest learning how to groom your own kitties, trust me, it's not hard to learn, and you'd feel so much more comfortable and confident knowing you are the groomer...

Again, try tempting him with watered down food, chicken broth, anything gruel-like until you can see your vet......Will be looking for an update, hang in there.

[Mona]

I hope it is nothing serious, and he is ok. chloe and Honeybun send Purrs and headbutts to him.

Let us know as soon as possible after the vet ok.

Hang in there Ma!

Mona, Chloe and Honeybun

[MA]

It appears that underneath bart's tongue are mouth ulcers. They gave him sub-cu fluids and took blood and they all fell in love with my polydactyl boy. He was trembling through the whole visit and he spent most of the time wrapped up in mom's arms covered with a towel. No fever, no visible signs of distress. the vet really worked him looking for hot spots of pain, a bite wound anything.

I am to put him on a special diet of an A/D gruel and monitor him for a few days. If no improvement then back he goes to be sedated and scoped to see if the ulcers spread to his throat. He is sitting in my lap right now very glad to be back home. The vet said also to give him baby food (no onion powder) and also try cottage cheese. She said the ulcers are not *fresh* but sometimes when they are healing, they are hotter than when they are fresh.

[LisaLisa]

MA,

I hope Bart is feeling better soon. Poor baby..

Lots of prayers on the way..