My cat is sick.?

Question

my cat is sick? His eyes are watery, his nose is runny, and he seems to be breathing harder than normal. He won't eat, and he's losing weight. Is there anything i can do for him? I can't take him to the vet until I get up the money, but I'm worried it won't be soon enough.

Answer 1

It sounds as if he might be suffering from a very bad Upper Respitory Infection. He is not eating because he cannot smell his food. (Cats are one of the few species out there that would rather starve than eat something it can't identify as a meal.) His eyes are watery due to the sinus pressure that comes with the congestion.
*** You can use childrens nose drops- saline solution only- the brand "Little Noses"..in a white and orange bottle.. one drop split between the nostrils every 4-6 hours helped my kitten. He also needs to be on some sort of antibiotic if he is going to make it...I'm sorry to say that it is not a good sign that his breathing has become labored, and he has stopped eating resulting in a loss of weight.
*** A good rule of thumb is to look in his mouth, If his gums look to be the normal shade of pink, or if you press on the gums and then release, and they go back to pink right away, he's in OK shape- or "stable." If he begins to breathe though his mouth (panting) or if his gums look white, off-white, light yellow, super light pink, or a dingy shade of pink (pale), then he needs a doctor right away. Taking him into the bathroom when you shower is also a good idea- the steam will help to break up the phlem(mucus) causing his congestion...what ever you do- do not give your cat any sort of human decongestant-cold medicine without a Dr.'s OK.....
*** There are organizations out there (like your local SPCA)designed to help owners financially if their pets are in need of medical attention, and some hospitals also offer Care Credit, or other means of a payment plan. I'm very sorry to hear about your pet's poor health; coupled with cost concerns, it sounds like you're in a tough spot- but there are people that can help. Just call a few vet hospitals in your area- the receptionists should be able to point you in the right direction. Hang in there and good luck!

Answer 2

It depends on the situation. If the dog is whelping a litter of pups or a cat has a little diarhhea then the first option would be to handle it at home to see if the situation gets better. And while waiting people can ask other pet owners if they have any ideas on how to deal with the problem and ask for general advice. If it doesn't get better then the next option is the vet. Some people do have a few hum dingers on here, but for the most part the questions are good, valid ones.

Answer 3

Call the vet and see if they can work out a payment plan for you. Most will because they want to help the animal. Don't administer medications without consulting your vet. You can also call and most will give free advice over the phone. You can do a steam bath like with human babies to help open sinuses. Just sit in the bathroom with him with the shower on only hot and allow steam to fill the room. Sit for between 5-10 minutes. No longer because with all the hair, the cat will get hot very fast. Also, using a humidifer would help as well. Good luck!

Answer 4

He probably has an upper respiratory infection, which requires a cheap antibiotic (Amoxycillin, usually about 5 or 10 dollars). Your biggest expense will be the vet visit to see what's wrong. The URI is very common and easy to cure, and is just like a human's cold, but if left untreated might get much worse.

Answer 5

It's safe to give him benadryl. Perhaps 1/4 tsp. to start with and see if that helps.
You could see if he will drink Pedialyte..it's what you would give a baby in the same situation to keep from dehydration. It's in the baby isle at the store.
You could also check out a pet store and see if they have something comparable, although they are usually more expensive.
Also, you don't actually put the cat in the shower just in the bathroom with the hot water running to produce steam.

Answer 6

Hopefully, its nothing worse than a bad cold (yup - cats get colds too). If it isn't & you can't get him to a vet, it could be too late. Once a cat shows signs of a serious illness usually immediate attention is necessary. Here's hoping its just a cold. If so, he should be better in a week or so.

I just read some of the other answers & sitting with him in a steamy bathroom is a good idea. I had one cat I always put in the bathroom with me when I showered & closed the door - he loved it! Be sure to stay in the shower with him when you run the hot shower water. If its too much for you its too much for the cat. Leaving him in there alone could be dangerous. I read of a woman who's cat died because she left him in there too long.

Also, don't give him aspirin; its toxic to cats.

Re food: Get him the smelliest moist food you can; he's probably stuffed up & can't smell his food. Thats advice my vet gave me & it worked. Add some water so that he doesn't become dehydrated.

Answer 7

Ihope you live in a city. The more people, the more chance for help. There are agencies that can help. Call the SPCA, veterinarian offices, Human Society, and animal organization you can find in your phone book. Tell them your situation and tell them you need help. Some SPCAs and Humane Societies, especially in large cities have clinics that are staffed with vets. They will treat animals whose owners are having hard financial times, on a sliding scale, based on income, or even free.

Your cat does need to see a vet and the antibiotics are cheap. Please try something local. They are right where you are and there are a lot of people in this world who love animals.

Answer 8

I am worried too. He MUST eat and if his breathing is compromised too he could die. Please do a $40 vet exam and get some a/d canned cat food from the vet. Many cats will eat that and nothing else.

You can also try some Gerber Stage One baby food - it has NO onion or garlic in it (onions are very toxic for cats). Sometimes cats like that. It is just a stop-gap measure and the a/d would be better for him.

Answer 9

He needs to be seen by a vet. there are several viruses and other infections that can cause these symptoms. Some may be fatal even if treated. Call your local humane society or spca. They may have some funds to help you. If your kitty has not had any shots, he may be in real trouble. I hope that's not the case.

Answer 10

The poor feline. I'm not sure but always keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesnt do anything out of the ordinary. Changes in diet and the other symptoms are a sign of a virus. Just work with him and try to get him to eat. thats about all the advice ai can give you sorry i cant help anymore.