Found our lost cat, but is acting strange. Urgent

[Harles]

I don't know why to do, we just found our lost cat today and he was outside for 3 days but after i gave him a bath he seemed very limp and wouldn't move at times. He won't eat or drink willingly and won't fight me when trying to pet him. He's probably in shock but I don't know and it's very worrying. We don't have money to take him to the vet but we will if we have too. He's shaking like crazy and wont let me pick him up and he's currently hiding under my bed for bout 4 hours. Please help.

[LionsTeeth]

Take him to the vet.

[diodati]

I'm sorry to say that he sounds very ill. It's a shame but I think he needs the vet. Soon.

[bettydraper31]

You must take him to the vet OP. Tonight if possible but definitely an emergency. He could have been hit by a car and have internal injuries. I’m glad he’s home safe but you must get professional treatment. Good luck OP hope he’s okay.

[retirednow]

He may have been attacked, not eaten or drunk anything or might have eaten something bad, please take him to the vet, I am sure they will let you pay when you can,

[KirstyJC]

Out of hours vet, now. You don't know what has happened - it sounds serious. Could be any number of things - from poison to traffic accident. Please get him checked out asap.

[BarbaraOcumbungles]

He obviously needs to go to the vet.

[LionsTeeth]

That's really the only thing to do. It's not his fault you can't afford it, and it is completely unfair to leave him to suffer if he needs treatment.

[StuffYouAllInTheCrust]

Vet now. He could've been hit by a car or attacked, I really wouldn't risk it. Must be a shock for you too but please don't wait.

[12345OnceCaughtAFish]

Is there a PDSA vet near you? Try their website and see if you can find a vet who can help
www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/eligibility

[OccasionalNachos]

Please just take him to the emergency vet now.

[ZeroFuchsGiven]

He will be cold and shaking and hiding if you put him in the bath he's probably been locked in somewhere for the days he was missing which has scared and confused him then when he got home you have bathed him which will add to his fear and confusion.

[ZeroFuchsGiven]

Or maybe I'm wrong and he needs a vet....

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

Take him to the vet.

[MrsJoshDun]

Was he ok before the bath? Why on earth did you bath him?

[swapsicles]

He needs a vet, there are out of hours vets available or pdsa if you can't afford it.
It could be a number of things, my 4 year old moggy was rushed to the vet a few weeks ago, all hunched and crying, when the receptionist asked what was wrong, I said I didn't know but he needed to be seen.
You just know when they are ill.
Turns out he was very poorly and quite possibily wouldn't have survived the night had I not taken him in.
As a side note the bills came to approx £1500, thankfully he is insured and I had contemplated cancelling not too long ago.

[Showergel1]

A normal chilled cat would be under the bed shaking after a bath.
Why would you bathe a dehydrated, exhausted cat?

What was he like before the bath?
Had he eaten?
Was he shaking?
Did he walk normally?

If he was fine before the bath I'd leave him alone with access to a quiet hidden place to sleep with food, water and litter then see how he is tomorrow.

[WetsTheVet]

Vet. Be honest with them about your finances, enquire about paying bills across a few months. He needs to be treated. Sounds like shock.

[myusernameisnotmyusername]

Our cat was acting strange after coming home one day. She would move slightly then lie down again. Wouldn't eat or drink and hadn't been to toilet. And wouldn't fight you when you stroked her. She made a horrendous in pain noise when I tried to pick her up. I booked her in at the vets and when I picked her up to put her in the cat basket she made that noise again. The vet told me she was very poorly and had a raging temperature. The vet said she had a hidden abscess either caused by being bitten by another cat or catching herself on something and it had got infected. Please take your cat to the vets if you are concerned.

[Harles]

Because he was covered in mud and he didn't really walk normally, it's like he didn't want to and he didn't want to eat but I did give him some water

[retirednow]

He may have been in an accident, especially if he couldnt walk, have you been to the vets, how is he doing.

[MarthaArthur]

Poor baby needs a vet immediatly. He could be in terrible pain. My firsth thought was poisoned ot hit by a car. He could have internal injuries. Please op take him now.

[3luckystars]

I've no idea how much a vet costs but you should definitely get help.

[Fluffycloudland77]

You need to ring the vets, they will answer. You cannot wait till morning.

[DrRisotto]

Honestly, I'm worried about your cat. Take him to the vet. He could die...