Having issues with possibly sick Cat...Please Help!?

Question

Okay, Here's the skinny:

I recently took my cat to an emergency Vet because he has been acting strangely. First we found out he has fleas, and he's been over grooming himself to try and get rid of them. We Used advantage, and he seemed fine. But then we found out he's been lying in his litterbox all day, and sleeping in it last night. The vet told me there was no Blockage, but he may have a urinary tract infection.

They gave him some medicine: Amoxil and Metacam (Aliquot). when I got him home, he actually stayed in his pet carrier (a first...) and really hasn't moved from it since (about 4 hours). He hasn't gotten up to get any water or food, and hasn't tried to use the bathroom. He's just sitting there and I'm really worried about him. Does anyone know if this is an effect of the medicine or is it something else? Is he a bit dazed form the antibiotics or is he scared? Should I urge him to leave the box? Should I force him to walk around? Please help, I'm really freaked about this.

Answer 1

Hi,

First of all don´t panic.

Fisrt tell tale sign of FUS (Feline Urological Syndrom), is a change in behaviour, urinating outside his litter box, vocalizing, the abdomen feels round and hard, and there is a disntict amonia oder coming from his mouth. Your vet has already ruled this out. But I feel it is important that you know this, I assume your kitty is fixed, and FUS is always a worry because they seem to be more prone to it, so if you know what to look for you can allow yourself to calm down.

amoxi is usually our first choice when dealing with baldder infections in cats because cats tolerate it very well and it usually takes care of the problem, however you should be able to see an improvement within 3 days, the cats metabolisim is diferent from the dogs, so if you see no improvement or he gets worst with the next 24 to 48 hrs make sure to take him back to the vet.

As far as staying in his carrier, this may not be normal for him when he feels confortable but right now he dosen´t feel so good so he wants to stay in an inclosed "safe" place, it´s instictive. Kinda like us when we don´t feel so good and just want to flop in front of the TV with a hot cup of herbal tea.

Sleeping in his litter box, not that uncomon. He might have been running a fever and was looking for a "cool" place to sleep, however I have a kitten that likes sleeping in his litterbox, or anything that contains dirt, sand, etc. and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, except he´s going to get his little neck rung if keeps digging up my baby palm trees. It´s oh, so fun mommy.

Metacam is the best medication on the market as far as I know it doesn´t cause any side efects and can be used for very long periods of time, it´s easy to administer and can last up to 24 hrs without having to re-medicate. I just love using it after surgery.
It helps take away the pain and fever.

Cats are finiky eaters and it´s not unusual for them to fast when they don´t feel good, if he doesn´t drink water within 24 hrs however you should see the vet because he runs the risk of dehydrating which is worst than the bladder infection. However, after 24 hr offer him some food but don´t force him, you can tell when he feels better because he will start eating on his own, now, if you can´t get him to eat after 3 days take him back to the vet. There may be something else going on.

My sugestion is let him be, check on him every 30 or so min just to see what he is doing, if he is sleeping peacefully, you can tell by the rythmical breathing, let him sleep, this will help him get better, but if you see signs of rapid breathing, panting, vocalizing, walking around aimlessly, and he looks uncomfortable don´t waste time and take him back to the vet , if you see blood in his kitty litter, don´t ask just take him to the vet.
If he becomes unattentive to your voice or when you pet him, in other words he doesn´t move or look at you or anything, call your vet. Usually they will flick their tails, purr, or rub their head against your hand but may not get up, this is ok, it means he is stable. And getting better but not there yet.

even though the medications Rx for him are very safe, there is something call idiosyncracy of the patient, what it means is that everyone reacts diferent, so it´s good to keep an eye on him but don´t drive yourself crazy, ask your family to help you and don´t stay awake, vigilant over him. If you are too tired you won´t be able to help him in an emergency.

I know this is longwinded but the more information you can get the better you will feel and therefore so will your kitty.

Try not to worry, I wish you the best of luck and keep me posted.

Answer 2

i think that so far you are doing the right thing. i would just watch him until tomorrow and then call the vet and ask them, since they are the one that have seen him. he might be in pain and the way he is acting may be his way of coping. if you force or urge him to do anything he will get mad and maybe bite you. he may not want to be touched. you should also check his fur and make absolutely sure he has no more fleas. just make sure that you still leave food and water out. he maybe wanting to stay in the litter box or his carrier because its a small space. and he may feel more comfortable in it. remember the cat has feeling and can feel pain. and be upset and have a bad day. hope this helps. and i hope your kitty feels better.

Answer 3

The antibiotics may be making him feel kind of tired, or, if he is uncomfortable from the bladder infection, he may simply not feel too good.

The trip to the vet was probably stressful, too.

Do not force him to come out or walk around. Have food and water close at hand, and just let him relax.

He probably just needs to calm down and sleep a bit.

It he was in great distress, he would probably be crying in pain.

I say keep an eye on him, but no need to freak out.

Best of luck! I hope he feels better soon!

Answer 4

He must go to the bathroom though. If about 6 hours have passed since he last urinated, lift him and take him to the litter box, with very clean (new) sand. If he does nothing, repeat this after 2-3 hours, and if nothing again, go to the vet urgently. If he tries to urinate and cannot do it, if he vomits, or if you see blood in his urine, again take him to the vet. Also try to collect a sample of urine, in a small disinfected cup, put it under his tail when he goes to the bathroom, and have it analysed.

Answer 5

I'll give you this as it ain't as bad as it seems. One day on the fourth of july like 4 years ago. My wife & I were convinced our cat was dyying. He had snuck out for the night & ws at the front door when we woke up. everything seemed fine. an hour later we couldn't wake him. we were sure someone poisioned him. Then she started looking around & found a bottle of antifreeze w/ a loose lid. So 8 hours later at the emergency vet. we find out that the induced vomiting they did was worthless. He had simply worn himself out doing what a cat would do on his 1st free night out.

Answer 6

I would be too....I think a reaction is more likely from advantage than the
AB's. I'd take him out of the box and see if he is social at all. Although, my cat has acted weird when she needs to vomit. I would call your reg vet and get a 2nd opin. good luck

Answer 7

If he had fleas he might be anemic too and therefore too tired to do anything. Check the color of his nose, if its really pale he might be anemic.

He might also be down because of the medication. If he is a young cat, it might be too much for him. I would call the vet as soon as possible for an opinion.

Answer 8

Crash is right - place food and water inside the carrier, stay by him, and if no reaction, take him straight to another vet.

Answer 9

i think what you need to do is just get him a small water bowl and food dish put it in his carrier so he gets food and water and if he wont eat or drink contact the local vet and ask about it

Answer 10

Ask the vet!