I went on vacation for the weekend, and when I got home I found my cat sneezing and dry-retching, and she doesn't seem to have bathed in a while. She's been sitting next to me all morning, but I've seen she is able of walking around the house. Today, she actually succeeded in throwing something up, but she swallowed it both times. Her sister hisses at her every time they get close.
I'm no vet, but I suspect either a cold (can cats get those?) or perhaps, since she is young, her first hairball. She's never had one as far as I can tell, in two years of her life. Whether it is one of those or not, is there any domestic cure or would I be better off going to the vet?
2007-06-04 08:28:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi there!
I am a Vet Tech at a feline only hospital and I think it might be a good idea to have her looked at. If she isn't eating and drinking get her there right away.
What concerns me is that you indicated she isn't cleaning herself. Cats do get colds that go away on their own, but generally that wouldn't prevent them from cleaning themselves. So, It sounds like an upper respiratory infection, but make sure you mention the retching to your vet. Often a cat coughing sounds like retching.
Stress can bring on respiratory infections (viral) as well. She may have been anxious to be left home alone. This is especially common if your cat had a history of upper respiratory infection as a kitten. Cats with that tendancy are called "snufflers"
By any chance, while you were away did anyone bring any unfamiliar substance into the house? Cats are very sensitive to allergens, say if perhaps someone used a strong cleaning chemical, fragrance or carpet fresh or product containing baking soda, your cat may be having a reaction.Perhaps your cat sitter wore a particularly strong perfume. Cats can be allergic to these things.
You will feel better if your vet tells you not to worry, and she will feel better if you get her antibiotics if she needs them.. So, get her looked at if she isn't better in the next 24 hours or if she hasn't been eating and drinking.
By the way, its not uncommon for one cat to hiss at another if they perceive it to be sick or contagious.
2007-06-04 08:53:32 · answer #1 · answered by damemeow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rhinotracheitis or an upper respiratory infection in your kitten. Take her to the vet immediately.
Retching or puking up liquid can be a sign of having not eaten in a few days. I hope you did not leave your cats unattended for the weekend. Something happened to those two cats while you were gone or the sister wouldn't be hissing at her.
The sneezing makes it sound like an URI which can be serious. See the vet.
2007-06-04 08:34:00 · answer #2 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs to be seen by a vet. Call the owners and have them get in touch with their vet to make arrangements to pay when they return. I've done this before, and can assure you that most vets will work with people in this situation. Then get the cat to the vet right away. If you can't get the owners, just call vets and explain the situation until you find one that will work on payment arrangements for when the owners return. I took a friend's dog to my vet under these circumstances once and she was more than willing to work with me. There could be anything going on, but if she's drinking and urinating a lot plus having difficulty walking she may have a pretty bad urinary tract infection or something more serious like kidney failure. Cats are excellet at hiding illness from us. If her discomfort is obvious then she's in some pretty serious pain and needs a vet right away.
2016-04-01 01:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Colds' are any mild upper respiratory infection that humans get that they shake off. In this sense, cats do not get 'colds' because they do not just shake off upper respiratory infections.
You should always take an animal to the vet if you're concerned for its health - no one can suggest a 'domestic cure' because no one can diagnose what the problem is over the internet. If the cats aren't vaccinated it's possible they have cat flu.
Chalice
2007-06-04 10:15:32 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please take your cat to the vet. The sneezing sounds like a infection. Which can be fatal if not taken care of. And can be passed to the other kitty. If it is hairballs, shouldn't cause her to sneeze, the vet can give you a cat-lax for her.
2007-06-04 08:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by Beth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like an upper respiratory infection. She will need antibiotics to get well. Take her to the vet. ♥
2007-06-04 08:33:57 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would take her to the vet right away, the sooner the better.
2007-06-04 08:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by Very Confused 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just take her to the vet and make sure it isnt serious.
2007-06-04 08:39:15 · answer #8 · answered by mikentammy76 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
abnormal behavior = trip to the vet. plain and simple and it is to be done every time.
2007-06-04 08:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by catloverme123 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋