Do I need to take my cat to the vet?

[Ditsy79]

Hi,
Just wanted some opinions really. My 3 year old female cat is usually pretty sociable, and loves her food. However, for the past couple of days (especially today), she has just hidden under one of the beds upstairs and is not eating her food or coming out for cuddles or to say hello. This is really not like her.
I was thinking she might not be feeling well, and wanted some peace and quiet (we have a toddler!). But she has been under the bed all day, and shows no signs of coming out. She doesn't appear to have been sick, and didn't seem injured when she came downstairs briefly this afternoon. She just doesn't want to be stroked, and hissed when I picked her up to give her a cuddle.
Do you think I should take her to the vet tomorrow if she is no better?
Thanks in advance.

[HariboFrenzy]

I would see how she is tomorrow but would go to vets if no change. Cats don't like to show vulnerability so behaviour changes are important indicators of illness or injury

[acatcalledjohn]

I'd say vets. Normally extreme affection or the opposite could be signs of a health problem.

[NameChange30]

Vets in the morning. It's definitely a sign that she's not well.

[Wolfiefan]

Vets.
She could have hissed as she was in pain. Is she drinking? How long since she's eaten? Could you tempt her with chicken or fish?

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Yes vets. Mine used to be like that with an abscess after a fight or scratch. Quick shot of painkillers and ab and on the mend.

[ThisFenceIsComfy]

Vets definitely. I second it being an abcess.

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

I tend to have a 24 hour rule for illnesses (cats, dogs and children)

Once you notice they are off, if there's no improvement within 24 hour then it's off to the vet's or doctor's , so I'd definitely take the cat tomorrow, esp with the weekend looming.

[Ditsy79]

Thanks for the fast replies. I will try her with some fish in a minute, as she has basically had nothing to eat all day. Not sure if she has drunk anything either, so I'll bring her a bit of water too. And I will get straight onto the vet in the morning.

[pilates]

How did you get on at the vets Ditsy?

[Ditsy79]

Hiya! Just an update. Cat is a bit better today - took her to the vet earlier, who wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with her, but she had a high temp and appeared to be in pain. So she has a course of antibiotics and some anti-inflammatories, which start tomorrow (the vet gave her some shots today) - should be fun trying to get the doses down her

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can crush tablets in food or open capsules up, it makes it so much easier.

[QueenStromba]

My cat will eat a tablet or capsule if it's in the middle of little ball of tuna mixed with enough cream cheese to make it sticky. If the anti-inflammatory is metacam then my girl doesn't notice it mixed in with a forkful of her normal food.

[NameChange30]

One of my darlings is on medication atm and I was amazed at how big the capsules are. She hated taking them so we resorted to opening them and sprinkling the powder on her food which has worked well. I wonder why the vet didn't just tell us to do that to begin with tbh.

[Ditsy79]

Apparently the tablets we have are 'palatable', but I severely doubt it! Our cat has dried food, but may give her a bit of wet food over the next few days and sprinkle the tablet over the top

[NameChange30]

Our cat has dried food but it seems to work even with that. It probably helps that she likes her food a bit too much and gobbles it up!

[Ditsy79]

Just managed to get liquid metacam down her by literally pinning her down and squirting it into her mouth. I've put the crushed synulox tab in some dried food with a bit of fish mixed in, but she seems to be avoiding that one for now.

[QueenStromba]

Make sure she eats something with the metacam - it can upset their stomachs.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Primula cream cheese spread is the best for getting meds into cats mix crushed tablet or liquid in and offer to cat.

[villainousbroodmare]

I was about to suggest the Philadelphia with smoked salmon!

[Ditsy79]

Thanks for all the tips. Less traumatic today - for both of us. I put the liquid med on a tiny bit of chicken and she ate it all. And I have crushed the tablet and mixed it in her dried food, which has also been eaten. So no pinning down of the poor cat today! She is improving, but still not 100% yet.

[pilates]

That's good Ditsy. My cat is a strange one she will not eat her food if any tablets/powder are in it. I was getting desperate and put the half tablet on my hand and she eat it .