Any Vets Around or someone who knows about cat Illnesses?

Question

We need to find out what our cat has, but the issue is, just a vet visit here takes a month to book, then theres a $60 fee, even if there's nothing seriously wrong, so hopefully you guys could give some help.

Our cat is about 2-3 years old, a tabby mix and inbred, (Was a cat from our backyard that we took in), she was fine until now, which si when these symptons have started.

Scabby Areas on her skin.
MAJOR loss of hair, her entire underbelly is bald, and its starting on her back and head now.
Loss of apetite, she'll eat, but only once per day, and only if we pet her while she's eating.
She sleeps 90% of the day now, and will only sleep on somewhere that is warm (she likes on top of the cable box...)
Meows a lot when someone comes near.

Is this possibly just due to old age by being inbred, or is this a serious health issue, and if so, any ideas on what it is? (If it is, and we know what, we may find a way to go to the vet, as we lost a lot of income when our dad died.)

Answer 1

She does have a serious problem but it is not do to inbreeding. Does she have all her shots? It could be FIP she is not old enough to be old age. I get the income issue and want to help but I need more info. Can you get me the history of your cat? Ahe definitely needs a vet as soon as possible but it will mean lots of $$ they will run blood panels and all sorts of test even if your vet knows what it is (I hate to say this but most of them milk it for more money) Let's see if we can't pin point what is going on and save you a few diagnostics. write me with more details.
Age, only or multi cat household, what food she eats, area you live in if you do treat her for fleas what treatment do you use and so on. Anything you can think of will help. Sometimes the smallest details are what holds the clue.
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Answer 2

Hi, I know that it seems that everyone is trying to help and it could be alot of things, and if it is leukemia , well it isnt curable. Like they said dont let her/him share with any other animals. I would try this, and if this helps let me know. Some cats and dogs are allergic to fleas, like really bad, and fleas will drain a cats blood causeing them to be weak and tired. I would give the cat a bath in warm water with dawn dish detergent that is home rememdy flea killer and fleas hate it. They die instantly. Also mix some in a spray bottle diluted with water and after the initial bath just bath cat with washrag sprayed down with the solution.,
For the scabs. treat them with neosporon antibiotic. Feed the cat can food and also some babys milk that you canget at store . If this doesnt help then it is something far more serious than fleas.

The cats nutrition will be aided by the babys milk and can food, and as long as she has no fleas the scabs should heal , they were cause from scratching alot.. i hope i was helpful

Answer 3

Hi- you might have more than one thing going on.

First 2 or 3 is not old. She's still a young cat.
Next, 'inbreeding is not the problem... don't worry about that :)

Here's my concerns

You describe hair loss that is similar to hair loss from overgrooming/ flea allergy, but it's severe. This may mean that her flea load is severe enough to be diminishing her blood- fleas are like little vampire bats.... if they take enough blood from any small animal, they can kill it.

Comb her and look for fleas, or black gritty sandy stuff that turns red when a drop of water is on it (flea poop) if she is loaded with fleas, get some advantage on her asap.

Her appitite is down. Could be many things, but once again, if she's being bled by fleas, she may not feel the energy to eat, and she may just want to sleep in warm places.
No one can accurately diagnose over the internet, but here's what I want you to do.

I want you to look in her mouth, at her gums. Just like your gums over your teeth, her's should be bright bubble gum pink. If they are white, yellow or pale pale pink, something is very wrong.

Can you take her temperature? Cat's should be about 101 to 102. Higher or lower is not good.

She is indoor outdoor, and you have not indicated if she is vaccinated or not, or if she has been felv/fiv tested. These two viruses cause illness and death in cats.

ALSO

you do need to see a vet for her.

Many vets know of rescue organisation and humane organisation that may help with bills for low income clients. There is also a pet care loan avalible in some areas. Ask your vet.

If you wait, you may wind up going to the vet and spending much more than going now. YOu don't need to know what is wrong before you go, and often if you explain your concerns to the vet about money, they can keep costs down for you.

Good luck

Answer 4

In response to all the "don't have a cat if you can't afford it" posts: yeah, and anyone who has ever in their lives worked in any kind of rescue knows just how many places there are to take in unwanted animals, let alone wanted ones whose owners just can't afford vet care right now. In case you didn't catch it, that's sarcasm. There aren't enough places for all of the homeless and severely abused animals in the world right now, much less the ones who have essentially good people caring for them. Wake up and see the real world. There are, in fact, people who cannot afford vet care, especially in an emergency. Internet? $10 a month for dial up. Or, it even could be someone who has it for free via their school (my daughters do). For the record, there are indeed people who cannot afford to see a doctor, either, when they are sick. Instead of tormenting this person because they cared enough to bring an animal in, why not be supportive? How many kind people are driven away from trying to help by cruel people such as yourselves? For shame! And to be so heartless to someone who has just lost their father??? And yet I bet you're the sorts who look into the mirror every morning and congratulate yourselves for being such compassionate, caring people. I sincerely hope that you never find yourselves in a position where you do not have the resources to call upon in an emergency. Moreso a position where you are in need of help and receive only scorn and cruelty from others. Of course, I doubt that you would look at yourself in the same way as you judge this person. Shame on you!

Many vets these days do not take payments. In our area in particular, most want payment upfront before even seeing the animal in question.

My dear, in a perfect world I would be saying "get to the vet", but I can well understand being in such a position as to not even have the $60 to put up for vet care. Please drop me a note and I will see if I can round up some assistance for you, at least in part. Your kitty needs to be seen and no amount of guess work by even the most gifted people here will substitute for in-person veterinary assessment. The system should allow you to email me from here- I'll need to know your approximate location (City and State are fine) and whatever information you can provide about your cat.

PS- I agree with the consensus, 3 years old is all but a teenager. My sweetheart bottle baby lived to be just a few days shy of 24 years old.

Answer 5

she could have mange...or if you haven't tested her already...Felv/FIV...both are serious...FELV more than FIV...FELV feline leukemia is like human leukemia it can live in the bone marrow for years and finally show up and basically destroy your cat. Cats usually don't live more than 2 years with it once the symptoms have shown. FIV on the other hand is Kitty AIDS. She can live with it, but it takes a serious toll on her immune system. They can sometimes live as long as regular healthy cats can, but may contract other diseases along the way, like hemo bartonella...which is a blood parasite and can be fatal. To be sure take her to the vet to get this simple blood test done. It takes 15 mins to get the results and that can rule out any other problems. On the other hand, the hair loss could be her overly grooming herself...do you notice her cleaning herself an awful lot? If you do it could be that causing the hair loss. It also could be allergies which are very common with dogs and cats this time of the year. Also, your cat is definitly not old. Cats tend to live between 14-18 years of age. I hope this problem is easily treatable and you find out soon! Goodluck!


FIP...Feline Infectious Peritonitis is not common, but it is incredibly dangerous. You usually see a bloated belly that seems to be wave-like if you tap it when she is on her side. Also, loss of appetite is a sign of all of these diseases.

Answer 6

I don't think 2-3 years old is "old" when some cats live to be 20 years old.
Definitely sounds like a flea allergy. Just one flea can cause an allergy. This would cause major hair loss. Some cats are "social eaters" which means they need to be stimulated to eat, like petting them. Some cats can sleep or nap up to 16 hours a day. She is sleeping on something warm because of the hair loss. If these symptons are usual for your cat, I wouldn't be too alarmed, but definitely try to get her to see a vet. See if there is a clinic at your local shelter, ask them if they know of any low-cost clinics.If she hasn't had any vaccines, it could be something more serious.

Answer 7

If you cannot afford a veterinarian for your pet, then DON'T OWN A PET! This idea that your Dad died and now you can't afford medical help is crazy. What do you do when YOU have a problem with yourself? Sit around whining about how you cannot afford a doctor, so you ask a bunch of teens on Yahoo to diagnose your medical problem? I notice you can still afford to have the Internet even though your Dad passed on, huh! Give the cat to a responsible person who can give it what it needs, including a veterinarian and other proper care. Geesh!

Answer 8

I have 30 some odd cats at any given time( I do rescue) and there have been a couple of times in between checks and I have always found a vet that would let me give them a check for them to hold or pay on..most of them will work with you...and I am sure there is more than one vet in your area so please get the phone book and describe your problem to them and get your poor kitty to the vet...If you were hurting wouldn't you want to be treated?
(I finally found a vet that works with me anytime I need it,but for the most part I save up the money just in case any of my kitties need meds or treatment..it's just what I do as a pet owner)

Edited to say...What is up with all the thumbs down on a lot of good posts?

Answer 9

You need to call the vet, tell them the symptoms and see if they can work you in. Most vets will in a case of an emergency. If they can't, find an animal hospital and take her. It doesn't sound good and she cannot be a happy, comfortable cat in that condition.

Answer 10

The description you gave could be one of 2 things, could be fleas you may want to check her for that or it could be that she has a mange which you would want to get her to the vet immediately. I realize costs are high for animals but explain to your vet when you make an appointment that you need to make payments. I don't know if you have a Banfield vet in your area usually at a petsmart store but that is what I use and they do very well at helping you out with paying your bill.