Should I Take My Cat to the ER Vet or Wait Until Monday?

Question

My 16 month old female cat, Chloe, came down with what we thought was a cold, a week ago. Symptoms include fatigue, sneezing and watery eyes. I called the vet earlier in the week and they said to keep an eye on it and call if it got worse. Well, by week's end, she didn't look like she could shake it on her own, so I called the vet again. The vet came on Friday (mobile vet) and prescribed Clavamox tabets, and gave her the first one before she left. Since then she is more fatigued and has no energy, just laying under the bed, and is not interested in food or water. I tried wet food b/c I hear that smells more appealing to them, and she won't touch that either. She is just not herself. I called the on call vet this AM and they said to stop the medicine (which she hasn't had today anyway), and if she starts eating again, cut the dosage in 1/2, and if she still isn't eating, call them on Monday. But now, I'm getting worried that I should take her to the ER vet. WWYD?

Answer 1

You sound like a very concerned and caring cat owner! So, if little Chloe was mine and had been ill for a week with no improvement, I would consider a trip to the emergency vet's office.

Clavamox is an excellent antibotic, but animals are like us and can have reactions to medications. Plus since she is not eating, the Clavamox may be upsetting her stomach, which would really discourage her from wanting to eat.

Was the mobile vet able to do any bloodwork? Or was the diagnosis based on examination and symptoms. If there hasn't been any bloodwork, I think it may be time for that.

Is she drinking any water or could you tempt her with a little unsalted chicken broth? The next concern with not eating is dehydration. This too will make her less interested in eating, which doesn't help the situation.

Do you know how to check for dehydration? If not, it's simple. Pull up a little skin in her back/neck area. If if snaps back into place she is not dehydrated. If it stays tented, she is dehydrated.

Also check her gums. They should have a nice pink color. Gray or pale is not a good sign.

Hopefully these ideas and the other information provided will help you make your final decision.

Purrs and prayers for you and Chloe.

Answer 2

I would take her to the emergency clinic, there are 2 big problems when a cat wont eat or drink- dehydration and liver failure. If a cat stops eating (especially overweight cats) then the liver starts to deteriorate by feeding on itself. It only occurs in cats, but can be a major issue. Also, cats eat based on smell. If your kitty is having respiratory issues, then most likely he can not smell very well- and if a cat cant smell his food, then he wont eat it. Clavamox is a good antibiotic, but some cats do have reactions to it. If your cat isnt improving then you may want to try a different antibiotic like amoxicillin, or something injectable given by the vet. I would take her in, she may need some IV fluids. Check her gum color, they should be nice and pink, not pale. Also if you press on the gums they should turn white, but then go back to pink within 2 seconds. If it takes longer that 3 seconds, then this can be a sign of dehydration and poor circulation. Also, another way to check hydration status is to pull up the skin around your cats back, it should pop right back into place immediatley, if it takes a few seconds then your kitty could be dehydrated. Id definitely consider bringing her in.

Answer 3

I think it depends on how much you are willing to spend on your cat. If you are really attached and know that you would and could spend whatever the vet said it would cost, then do it. However, most people can't justify spending that much money on a pet, and emergency vets cost a lot of money, especially if something is really wrong. Have there been any changes in environment that could cause a stress reaction? That could be the only problem.

Answer 4

Clavamox has the ability to make some cats so sick to their stomach they get nauseous at even the sight of food and stop eating and drinking.

You may have to switch to a different medication. One that won't cause nausea.

If she's had water in the past day, you can wait till Monday ok.

Answer 5

Take her to the ER if it will ease your mind. I can not stand to see my dog or cat sick or in pain and always bring them to the vet straight away, even if it means ponying up more cash to bring them to the Emergency Vet. Even if nothing is wrong, you still know that you did all you could. It would suck to have something horrible happen to your cat before Monday. You would live with that guilt the rest of your life, but money always comes and goes, so forget about the cost and bring the cat in!

Answer 6

I would keep her as comfortable as possible until Monday. The antibiotic should help her but it can also upset her tummy. The mobile vet didn't recommend taking her in and placed her on clavamox. I would continue the clavamox and take her into the vet Monday.

Answer 7

It sounds like upper respiratory problems and with antibiotics it would be gone in a few days ; but they usually don;t lose their appetites and only have sneezing and runny or crusty eyes..I would take the cat to a vet asap as they tend to go down-hill fast from getting dehydrated...you may want another vet next time also; as yours isn;t doing the job correct...Lots of luck to kitty and you..

Answer 8

My kitty is named Chloe too. It's a long time til Monday. Take her to the ER. It doesn't cost much more than the house call. Then you can both feel better. I'll be thinking about you.

Answer 9

Call a reputable vet and explain the problem. Follow his recommendations.

Answer 10

If I were you, I would take her to the emergency vet.
The 1st vet may have even mis-diagnosed her.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
I know it can be more expensive, but it can also save your cats life ;)