Should I take my cat to the vet? What could be wrong with him?

Question

For the three weeks my cat has been sick. He's had gunky eye discharge and he just hasn't been as active or energetic. We used tea bags on his eyes and now his gunk has almost cleared up (he still gets a little bit, but before it was closing up his eyes). However, he's still really quiet and sleepy and really doesn't have any energy. He sleeps all day and only moves around to go eat/drink/to the litterbox. After he's done, he always returns to the same place in bed.

He's not really antisocial, he always comes to hang out with us and likes to be pet even though he's sick. He's been interacting with the other cat too. Last night he was licking the other cat on the neck, and they've both gone outside for a bit.

But why is the so depressed? Sometimes his rear leg twitches too when he stretches it out or when he's lying down. I'm really worried about him! He's showing some improvement, but when is he going to get his energy back? And why is he so sad?

Thanks.

The cat is about seven months old and a male. Up until this point he's been very healthy, but a little shy. He loves to go outside.

First of all, the cat isn't technically mine.
He lives with my mom and sister and they've been ignoring the problem, so I requested to take care of him for a bit to see if he would get better.

They didn't take him to the vet on the advice of friends, and also because the vet tends to misdiagnose the pets we take to him. For example, my last cat had a broken leg and instead of being treated as such, the vet told us he had an infection and that it would clear up with antibiotics (which it obviously did not).

Answer 1

What are you waiting for? Call the vet right now! It could be something serious or contagious, or your cat could be in a lot of pain, which is why he doesn't want to play.

Answer 2

First, find a new vet, that should be a no brainer in itself. Sorry, don't want to be mean, but that vet should be shot like a horse. I have little patience for vets who misdiagnose animals. I'm not upset at you, just the vet and the thought that you could think of going back to him. Ok,, now on to the problem of the cat. The cat is sick, you have a big problem there, and I am really scared that the cat is playing with other cats. First of all, when a cat is sick they do not show it in their noses like we do, the show it in their eyes. When a cat has a cold it comes out as ooze in their eyes, so yes the cat is sick. Ok,, you tried tea bags,not sure why, but I guess there was some reason behind that. The fact that there is all this gunk coming out is a very bad sign, also bad that the cat is a kitten and not moving very much. I don't like that he is playing with the other animals, get him off by himself. The fact that he is twitching is also not a good sign. i don't want to get you scared, but the cat could have FIP, which is a cat version of AIDS, which is fatal. I have had a cat with this and it isn't a good thing. Get the cat to a vet immediately, a good vet, the poor thing is probably suffering. Please do something for him.

Answer 3

UTI's could take extra advantageous than one around of antibiotics to make sure. and countless of the micro organism which may be inflicting the UTI are not killed with the help of the everyday Clavamox. Has the vet actually cultured the urine to work out what variety of micro organism that's? Has he ruled out kidney and bladder stones, as those could reason UTI's besides? And has the vet ruled out being hyperthyroid? That advantageous sounds like what he could have. There are cats who's thyroid function seems completely time-honored on the ordinary try (T4) yet then ensue as hyperthyroid while the unfastened-T4 try is administered (I actually have a cat like that). i could ask the vet what his thyroid numbers have been, and if the unfastened-T4 replaced into run. An 11 twelve months previous cat is beginning up to stand up there, he's declared to the equivalent of a 50 twelve months previous human. he's no longer "at his end" as some others have published. in simple terms like with human docs, some vets are extra effective at diagnosing issues than others. in case you do no longer look getting everywhere with the bloodwork and a prognosis, don't be afraid to seek for out a 2d opinion.

Answer 4

Is he up to date on his shots? Listen to his chest and see if you hear any congestion, or wheezing. My vet gave me antibiotics for my cat and he's fine now. They were not expensive.

Do you try to play with him, does it interest him for a while.

If he interacts with other cats then you have to make sure he's up to date with his shots.

Cat's sleep a lot, it's just the was they are.

You should take him to the vet to be checked out. For his sake, and for the other cats' sake.

I have no idea about the twitching leg. A vet exam isn't that expensive. If he's in pain and you can't afford treatment then he should be put down.

The drainage from his eyes should have been looked at by a vet. The cause may still be there because the eye problem is a symptom of something else.

Answer 5

Definitely take him to get checked out. A young cat should not be sluggish. I would also recommend the supplement Lysine (not sure if that is the correct spelling). You can find it in any grocery store in the vitamin section. It helps them with little bugs/colds. if you can't afford a vet, do that and get him vitamins. As long as he is eating you are not in serious trouble with him, but if he stops eating, the vet is the way to go. Best of luck to you and your kitty.

Also, don't take to heart all these judgmental aholes. You asked, you care, you are trying. There are allot of nuts out there that don't see the big picture. I love animals, but was raised in a place where they were never taken to the vet, ran free and just did not come home one day. As I have gotten older I have learned more about how to care for them, but some times things get tough, so you love them and do the best you can. I know of plenty of horrible situations that animals live in, so believe me you are not a bad pet owner, you asked, you are trying!

And, yes I have wasted allot of money at vets who charged me a bundle for no good info. Vets are not gods, and sometimes ( I have worked for vets) they will be wrong and even order more tests than necessary for the $ so, go with your gut and do some more research, and like I said, if he stops eating THEN, you have a real problem.

Answer 6

It could be an eye infection. We found a stray outdoors once & she had an eye infection. (She was also DECLAWED, infested with worms, fleas & pregnant - who declaws a cat, doesn't get her spayed & then lets her outside?) Anyway, we took her to the vet who gave her some drops & other treatment to help her. We put ads in the papers for a lost cat, but no one ever claimed her. Six years later, she's still our kitty & doing well. Find a different vet than the one who gave you a wrong diagnosis for the cat with a broken leg & take the kitty there as soon as possible.

Answer 7

Yes, take the cat to the vet. My rule of thumb is, if you wonder if they should go to the vet, then you should take them. Since he's an outdoor cat, he may have gotten something in his eye. Don't worry so much about the twitching because lots of cats do that. Good luck. Sounds like it's nothing too serious, but better safe than sorry.

Answer 8

Three weeks is an extremely long time for a cat to stay sick. Usually, when a cat or dog is feeling a little under the weather, they will be back to their usual selves within a matter of days. Three weeks indicates either something serious, or at the very least something that will not clear up on its own.

If you let him outside without supervision, then it is very possible he has eaten something he shouldn’t have. If he were my own cat, I would have waited a week tops. It’s definitely time to have him looked at.

Answer 9

Usually a cat doesn't show how sick they actually are. You didn't say if you vaccinated him or not, hopefully you DID! Tea bags on cats??? This one needs to be seen by a professional. Especially since you have other animals around b/c IF he's contagious he could easily pass it to the other cat. Call the VET!!!!!!!!
Better yet make the appointment regardless. If you have an animal be responsible enough to provide it the proper care it deserves or don't have one. Pretty simple don't ya think????

Answer 10

I would take him to the vet. A 7 month old kitten should be active. He may just have a cold. Or it may be something worse. So take him to the vet and find out what is wrong with him.

Answer 11

Definitely see a vet, and I'd recommend finding another vet since you have had issues with your current one.
He is a young cat, but that doesn't rule out serious illness. I would be concerned about FIP with the symptoms you describe along with his age. Please see a vet, it has already been 3 weeks, don't wait any longer.