Someone PLEASE tell us our elderly cat isn't dying? Can cats get colds?

[expatinscotland]

DH took in a stray Persian cat about 6 years ago, so we don't know his exact age.

Our vet in Edinburgh said he was quite elderly, perhaps a teen.

Well, he's really not doing well.

He's eating and drinking, but he's very weak, lost weight and sleeping loads.

He's very, very snuffly and can't manage but very weak miaows.

He let DH hold him for ages tonight and he doesn't normally at all.

We'll take him on Monday to whatever vet we can find in town, but we're obviously very worried that this is it for 'Smokey'.

Can cats get colds?

Poor wee man!

No, DG, the last jabs they had were about 4 years ago when we had to put them in a kennel.

They are indoors-only pets.

DH has always lived in a 2nd floor flat with no access to a garden since having him.

He also had jabs when he was first found as a stray, when he was also neutered.

He just ate a bit and drank some water.

The younger cat is doing my nut!

She's been running about daft. She needs to lose some weight to it'll do her good, but we may as well take her in, too, because we don't want her to go outside till she has her jabs updated.

Just updated her microchip address last week after our move.

Update!

Rang vet emergency number and she called back!

We're taking him in tomorrow morning at 11.

She said she's got a couple of dogs to see as well.

Said just to keep him comfortable and keep food and water on offer.

Hoping for the best for him. He's mighty skinny.

good luck expat
have faith!

love him tonight and let us know how it goes tomorrow x

Thanks, Otter.

Am a bit concerned because I haven't observed him going into the litter tray lately.

BUT it's a larger house and admittedly he's been sleeping most of the day under one of the beds.

I'm sure she'll weigh him at any rate and order any further tests she thinks he might need.

He is an old man, and we've accepted that, but we want to keep him healthy as long as possible.

Poor soul.

I think I'll go and do the dishes and clean the kitchen so I can hold him some.

He's been a bit neglected with the move.

I feel all guilty, like I've killed him by moving and stuff and now I'm getting all sad and doubtful again.

try to stay strong
the truth about cats is - all he wants is food and warmth and the odd cuddle- the move will not have worried him - he still has you
lets hope its just a cold x

The no miaow, Otter.

I love his miaow! I didn't realise Persians have such a gravelly miaow till I met Smokey.

And just holding him today, and you could see his fishy mouth doing a miaow and nothing coming out!

He usually sleeps with me, too.

ohh expat you are breaking my heart 'fishy miaou'

i think its good he is trying to miaou
Really poorly cats are usually quiet! lets hope vet can bring back his gravel!

He used to follow me around as soon as the girls are in bed, Otter, with his throaty miaow until I stroke him.

The couch here is too high for him to jump.

Persians have such cobby bodies they're not good jumpers and I suspect he may have arthritis, too.

I hope this vet is as good as our last one, who said to pass along her number to the new vet here.

She loves Smokey, whose such a crabbit old man!

I just picked him up again and he looked unhappy that I was holding him like a baby, which he hates so I'll take that as a good sign .

dp says he is optimistic ! esp at 'hold like a baby' bad mood!!

He's been moving around a bit more since I got a whole load of gunk out around his eyes and nose. Damn, there was a lot there. I usually bathe his eyes once a week - but with the move I'd left it a couple of weeks

He's always been a lazy cat.

Still no miaow, though.

He has his claws trimmed at the vet every other month, anyhow, and we shower him and shave his bum every other month as well.

In addition to nightly brushes.

Love him to bits, but Persians are hard work!

Pity someone turfed him out, though.

the worstmotherintheworld - you've crushed that fluffy image for me now
Expat, hope things go ok today.

Sorry, but this does sound a bit like cat flu to me too. 2 of mine had it a couple of years ago - there was a large amount of mucus coming from their noses and they were really poorly. Apparently the biggest danger is dehydration because they don't eat or drink - they need to smell their food and if they can't smell it they won't eat.

Both of mine did survive and one of them was 12 years old so not a spring chicken. I really hope it's not that but would be worth checking out, especially if you have other cats.

expat - how did it go with smokey?

Well, Smokey has a cold/respiratory infection.

He's had an antibiotic injection and an anti-inflammatory. He has some drops he has to take as well.

Vet is concerned out his weight, however, so has taken blood samples. Hope it's not his kidneys , but we'll know in a few days.

Smokey's still sleeping a lot, and hasn't miaowed, but he's eaten and drunk a bit more today and is a bit more lively.

Poor soul!!! I can't believe it! his breathing was soooo laboured last night. He seems much better now with regards to that.

Thanks, all.

We know he's old - this vet also agreed this cat is a teenager - and that he won't last forever, but still, it's hard to think the end could have come so suddenly.

sorry ladylush
expat - hope he makes a good recovery and has many moons left in him yet. My cats' dying was the most heartbreaking thing in my life..

He came out again to drink and eat. Here's hoping!

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he's got an appointment again on tuesday. i hope this isnt the end.

the weight loss was of real concern to the vet.

it had been with our old vet, too, who had been monitoring it.

he's sleeping again.

i just hope he's not in pain or suffering.

that i can't cope with, much as we love him and he's part of the family - if he's old and sick and in pain, then it's time to let him go.

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Pleased to hear that his breathing has improved and that he's eating/drinking a little

Thanks, everyone.

I'm sorry to say, and I'm really having to choke things back ehre because DD1 had such a rough time with the move and is just now settled, but Smokey began to fail badly this morning.

He couldn't eat or drink despite going to his bowl so we rushed him to his vet.

His heart was failing quickly and his breathing VERY laboured and weak.

We did what we had to do.

Smokey died peacefully in my arms around 3.

He seemed so relieved. He was sedated first, and then his amber round eyes grew heavy and closed.

I can't beleive he's gone.

Everyoe in the waiting room were so nice and looked after the DDs whilst we went in with Smokey.

We even met DD1's P1 teacher.

I just had this feeling he was trying to leave this world for the next, and I am glad his suffering is over.

We chose to have him cremated and we will scatter his ashes over the loch across the road when the water is still and the moon is waxing.

Thank you for all your well wishes.

Oh, I ma sorry, Expat.
It is sad when you lose a pet.
At least he is in peace now.

. Thinking of you all. Such sad news. I lost my beloved cat in March so can understand how hard it is. Even if they are suffering and you know it's the right thing it is still so hard to lose them.

I'm sorry to hear that expat. When Leo died, my best firend suggested explianing it to ds (who was only 3 at the time) that he was like the "circle of life" in the Lion King. He seemed to accept that.