Poorly cat - advice if you're a cat person

[chuffedasbuttons]

Hi
My friends elderly rescue cat isn't very well.
Until she can get her to the vet tomorrow, does anyone have basic advice?

She's walking a bit lopsided. Lost her balance and fell over.

She hasn't eaten properly for 2 days though she's not a big eater anyway.
Hiding under the bed.

We've syringed 15ml of water which she took. She's sat on lap leaning her head into friends arm - she's not a lap cat.

Anything else we can do?

Thanks

I'd phone the vet now. There will be an out of hours service.
Also move this thread to The Litter Tray.

I would take her to an emergency vets tonight.

So sorry she is poorly but cats don't appear ill until they are usually quite ill in many cases.

Google psda or non profit vets for a cheaper option.

Good luck

Thanks. I wasn't sure the litter tray would be busy but will repost there. Thanks

I would keep comfortable until tomorrow in a cat bed or box or pet carrier.
You could mash some wet food into the water and use the syringe of she will take it.

Sounds like a possible stroke. 🤔 If she doesn't want to call the vet tonight, I would just try to keep the cat calm & quiet until she is seen tomorrow.

Why can’t she see a vet tonight?

Thanks @Horsemad @chocolatespiders

Glad we're on the right track
Quite rural so it's a long drive for an emergency vet.

I came over to dry some tears and make some tea. I'm actually allergic !

Please seriously consider getting to the emergency vet tonight.

My cat had something very similar. I thought it was a stoke but turned out to be sepsis. Went to the vets at 2am and they gave her strong antibiotics and methadone (yes really). She said if I had left her until the morning she would probably have died.

Cats naturally hide pain and illness until they are very very unwell, so she might be much iller than you think.

Poor old girl she sounds really poorly prob dehydrated++ & poss liver/kidney failure causing neurological symptoms. Much kinder to get her to vets tonight asap.

Thanks
I ask for no judgement please but we are both single mums and she doesn't drive so there's no one to have children. It's not feasible to travel this evening.

Cat has most likely had a stroke, she has fallen again but can get up and walk although somewhat aimlessly.

I'm grateful for support on here which has helped reassure us.

I’d be moving hell and high water to get her seen ASAP. Tonight. And I do really sympathise because I’m also a non-driving single mum, but a cat can’t be left to suffer because of it.

No judgement it’s tough but factually she’s struggling & every time she falls she’ll be so stressed. Taxi?

I also agree the cat shouldn't be left to suffer

Why not just ring a vets for advice? That’s free (vet nurse here). They will tell you to go in though.

You should at least ring the vet, a nurse will pick up.

Our vets would come out to your house if necessary, is that an option? Could someone from the rescue she for her from help?

In my local area if you put out a "call for help" message on the local FB page asking for a lift, then someone would come to the rescue and you could stay with the kids.

Phone vet or if insured the vet line for the insurance?

If not insured call PDSA. They will advise free in certain cases and offer treatment at a much reduced price?

Another one saying call the out of hours vet. You can speak to a vet nurse who will advise. If you have to go in yes, it may be stressful for the cat but it's better than leaving the cat to suffer so yes taxi if you are asked to take her in.

It sounds like a stroke but could also be an ear infection. Ear infections lead to a struggle in balance.
Just call the out of hours vet and see what they say.

It sounds like a trans ischaemic attack to me (mini stroke). My kitty had one a few months ago. I caught her staggering about in circles drooling. She was also very confused but has made a full recovery.
Turns out her blood pressure is very high and she is now on amlodipine.

I agree. A phone all costs nothing.

One of you could sit with all the kids while the other gets a taxi over to the vet if she says youve to come in.

Poor wee cat. I know it’s hard to find the cash. But wouldn’t let mine suffer. I paid an extra £30 to get her seen on a Sunday as I couldn’t stand the thought if her being in pain. Plus £50 for what was wrong. Took me months to pay it off as I earn low wages.

I do appreciate your concerns and I will try to update tomorrow when I hear from my friend.
Single mums are not made of money and my friend is now out of work due to Covid.

Nearest Pdsa is 50 miles away and closed.
Nearest emergency vet is 40 miles away. Sunday call outs plus taxi? Not possible.

Cat is approx 11 years old and not showing obvious distress. She's very old and off her food. She's had an amazing retirement with my friend for 18 months. We fully expect she will be pts tomorrow at the local vet.

There is the distress to the children as well to factor if mum disappears late on Sunday. Plus a sensible saying goodbye situation.

If kitty was in desperate pain then different choices would be made. She isn't.

Have you called the local vet you plan to take the cat to tomorrow? What does the message say?

She is suffering from her symptoms. 11 is not ‘very old’. Disgraceful to leave her until the morning.

The poor cat is absolutely not old. Most of my cats have lived until 18 or 19. Your friend should at least talk to a vet. Tomorrow could be too late!