New cat owner--Is he sick?

Question

We adopted a cat from the local humane society on Friday, on Saturday he started sneezing and his nose was running, by that evening he had thrown up and had diareha. It is Monday night now and although he hasn't thrown up again, he still has the other symptoms. This is our first cat, could this be something serious? We have a 7 day trial period, did we get a cat that is seriously ill and now our kids are going to be heartbroken?

Answer 1

my cat is from the humane society as well and had the same symptoms as well, but they warned me that it might happen. It is a virus similar to a head cold, they catch it because there are so many cages close together and so many cats. There is nothing you can really do, but call the humane society and talk to them about it, they deal with this alot....they will have good pointers. When I first got my cat....my first pet, I took her to the vet all the time for little stuff....being a worried first time parent really. I spent alot of money then realized that if you have a concern you can call them and ask if it is important to come in or not....those calls saved me a lot of money. If you start to go to the same vet all the time they really try to help you over the phone and give you pointers.

Answer 2

Kittens, like humans can bring on illness when they are stressed. Moving into a new home can be very scary especially after being in such a noisy busy place like an animal shelter. They are also susceptable to environmental change. My little siamese boy was sick the next day after we got him with the same thing. He also had gluggy eyes, sneezing and a very runny nose etc.

Dont feel let down. These things happen. If he gets really bad (eg, his third eyelid closes half over and he refuses water and food), take him to the vet. They will put him on antibiotics which will help with any infections.

I found sprinkling a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the shower floor helped to clear the cat's sinuses. Make the bathroom steamy! - also nice for you too. I did that once every three or four days and he came good really quickly.

For us, it was a combination of cat flu and climate change.

Good luck and enjoy your new baby!

Answer 3

Hi Cassie 12,

It's awesome that you saved a life! don't feel discouraged and take him back, most animals from the Humane Society and any other animal shelter can often be sick and might not show signs and the stress of moving into a new environment can be very stressful on any animal. You do have to get the cat into a vet A.S.A.P. With what you describe it could be a number or a combination of things including a change in diet which will cause diarrhea on its own, but from the sounds of it, there is more too it. Right now you need to worry about dehydration in you cat with the vomiting and diarrhea. Cats can also have reactions to vaccines given which your Veterinarian needs to be aware of.

If you can avoid buying the crappy grocery store pet food do. Stay away from cat foods with corn, by products, etc. get a natural, holistic, or organic foods. An example of on excellent cat food which comes in both dry and wet is Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance. I wish you all the best with your new cat!



Sincerely,

Alice H.

Answer 4

Call the humane society and ask them if their vet can look at him. If not take him to a vet.
This could be something he picked up at the shelter and all he needs is TLC and a shot of antibiotics and two weeks of oral antibiotics to cure.
If that's it, write in for instructions on how to get a cat to take a pill. If you can, get the antibiotic in liquid form, it is easier to get it into the cat that way. You can get it custom compounded in chicken or trout flavor at a special drugstore but that's kind of expensive.
The tummy troubles could be from nervousness or new food. Are you feeding him the same thing he got at the shelter? A change in food can make a cat with a sensitive stomach vomit or have diarrhea.
Did you get a record of what shots he received at the shelter and when? Some times recent vaccinations can make a cat seem sick.

Answer 5

I adopted a cat in November and have had the pleasure of visiting the vet several times a month, countless dollars on medication and many hours on the Internet researching her symptoms. The vet has prescribed antibiotics of all kinds--for the eyes, nose and oral medications, but the symptoms persist. Her symptoms are similar to your cat's, but include "snuffling," watery eyes, wheezing (I can hear her when she's in another room).

I have found a wonderful website that discusses various pet-related illnesses and herpes is the best fit I could find for my cat's symptoms. I have discovered that an amazing number of cats have feline herpes, but that the condition is usually manageable. Treatment is usually a matter of keeping secondary infections at bay. Here's the website address: http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/cherpes.html

Check out this web address, but you may find the answer you are looking for under another heading/disease on the same site. Zithromax and L-Lysine are the suggested treatments for feline herpes if that is the case.

I couldn't bear to take my cat back, so I'm trying to make her life more comfortable . You may want to consider the financial implications of caring for a chronically sick kitty.

Answer 6

Take him to the vet. He probably just picked up something from the other cats at the shelter possibly. When my husband brought home a stray kitten (we kept her) she had a runny nose, and we took her for a check up. The vet gave her some antibiotics and it cleared up. Also, maybe your cat, being in a new environment, is a little nervous, which can lead to diarreha. Also, a change in what he's used to eating can cause some stomach upset. Take him to the vet, I'm sure they will help him. Give him a chance, everything is so new to him. Cats have a much harder time adjusting to a new home than dogs do. They are very sensitive to their surroundings, and like for things to be stable in their life.

Answer 7

This could just be an adjustment thing, change of location and food BUT you should certainly call them and arrange for a vet visit. Ask if they have had any distemper or parvo or cat flu there recently as the symptoms you describe could be related to that. At any rate a cat who has had 3 days of diarrea and sneezing needs help from a vet whether it's from a minor thing or a major one.

Answer 8

hi, it sounds as tho a vet visit is in order. cats can contract several illnesses in shelter situations. some of wich have a brief incubation period. these include feline influenza, a form of kitty cold, another of the illnesses are eye and ear infections wich are treatable by your vet, even nasal growths can cause some symptoms such as these. allergies can also cause sneezing,and gagging, discharge from the eyes,and nose. all are medical issues and are treatable by your vet. if you suspect anything, such as a pet being ill. better safe with a vet check.if you cant reach your vet immediatly(i wouldnt wait more than a day unless i absolutle had no choice) i would also check for symptoms of dehydration. these are, sticky/dry mucus membranes (ie mouth,gums) tenting of the skin,low or no urine output.concentrated urine, a quick test for kitty dehydration is.....1 sit your kitty on your lap 2. take the skin just behind the shoulder blades on her back and gently lift up in a soft tug,,,,3. how long does it take to sink back to position ????? if shes hydrated.....it should go right back, the more time goes by, the more dehydrated your cat is..... if dehydration is presant,at any noticable degree, it is a veterinary emergengy, dehydration can kill your cat and damage her organ systems !!!!! a vet is urgently needed. just remember, YOUR HIS OWNER you didnt get a ''defective cat'' . it is YOUR job to care, pets are NOT expendable, they are living beings,you may have gotten a sick kitty,but many come out worse when they are returned,shelters care for over 100 cats and most are non profit,(mean low funding usually public donation only)you have a single kitty, you most likely have enuff to care for this cat,hes lucky to have you,you obviously care enuff to seek answers, it takes more than love to have animals,remember your responsible for the care of your new companion. care for her and she'll give you way more in return !!!!!

Answer 9

It's probably just a cold, but the diarrhea is a little concerning. I'd advise you to take him to the vets, they will probably prescribe him some pills for his diarrhea, unless it is something more then that. Your an angel for adopting him from the humane society, don't take him back. All he needs is a little medical attention and a lot of TLC! I hope all goes well. Good Luck! :)

Answer 10

It's okay, calm down, the cat probably has a cold, you should take it to the vet just to make sure. You should do it when the kids aren't home, or think your taking the cat to get fresh air, or something.