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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Do cats often get ill in the rescue places?

9 replies

Polgara2 · 27/04/2011 21:22

Are hoping to bring a lovely cat home but she has become a bit ill and had a tummy upset. Vet has given her antibiotic injection and anti-diarrhoeal tabs. Rescue place seem to think this is quite normal thing to happen to some cats whilst in there. I thought there wouldn't be anything for them to get will with iyswim!

Am worried about bringing an ill cat home for everyone to get very attached to! Also our last cat had similar symptoms and went on to have a very sensitive tummy and had to have sensitive more expensive cat food all the time!

OP posts:

beautifulgirls · 27/04/2011 21:57

Stress can often be a factor in tummy upsets so is not that uncommon, though there are many reasons why tummy upsets can happen, not all of them are stress related. It doesn't mean there will or will not be issues after this settles down. I would ask the rescue centre what their policy is for vet fees etc if she has recurrent problems after you take her as she is unlikely to get insurance cover for this particular issue as she has had it once.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 28/04/2011 10:45

Thanks beautifulgirls - so it may just a one off then. I am probably a little paranoid after our last cat, but I just keep thinking something is trying to tell me something! I am assuming if she is ok when she gets back on normal food again she is probably going to be alright, but I will certainly check out about the CPL's policies re vet fees etc as you suggest.

Maybe we will go back and have a look at the other cats and her again and take it from there. Sigh why can't things just be, well, easier!

OP posts:

Original poster

Polgara2 · 28/04/2011 16:23

Ok so we are going back to see her this weekend - what should I look for in a 'healthy' cat? Any pointers greatly appreciated!

OP posts:

IngridBergman · 28/04/2011 16:55

Hi Polgara, this is so difficult - it partly depends on how long she has been there. If only a few days they can'#t possibly know if she has an ongoing issue and a lot of people do dump cats due to mess, sometimes caused by digestive issues or kidney failure etc.

I have rescued a lot of cats and a fair few have had diarrhoea, especially those who had just arrived and I took straight away - one died a few weeks later, sadly, after never really getting well, and some went on to have treatment but things were never easy for them (or me!)

I would hesitate with this cat, ask them to keep her a while longer to observe and also to get a proper diagnosis from the vet in case it is something else. Special diets are a faff, ill cats are a faff (sorry, cats) though it doesn't mean they aren't still loveable - it depends what you want. My seven week survival cat was the most gorgeous animal I ever owned, and I actually hand on heart loved him, proper love like with a human - never had that before or since, so the mess didn't bother me and I'm glad his last few weeks were special. I'll never forget him.

Basically you don't buy a car that's leaking, you get the current owner to establigh the prognostics first. It's only sensible.

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/04/2011 17:36

Could be the food. Tinned food sets some of them off due to the maize content.

Mine was on royal canin anti allergy diet but is now on aldi pouches as they are cereal free and he's not had any more problems.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 28/04/2011 18:43

Sigh... I hear what you are saying IngridBergman (which is basically echoing my own thoughts if I am honest). It is just soooo difficult because the dc have set their hearts on THIS cat! I will get them to look/cuddle some others too but will see how she is when she is back on a normal diet. I am just not sure what to look for to see if she looks well iyswim.

Interesting point about the aldi pouches fluffy will bear that in mind eventually!

OP posts:

fruitshootsandheaves · 28/04/2011 18:48

I worked at a rescue center and there were quite a few cats who HATED being there and would become quite ill simply because of the stress. They couldn't be out with the other cats until they were eating in the holding pen but they wouldn't eat because they were in the holding pen!, vicious circle.
It may just be stress or because she is on a different food to the one she's been used to. If she is unwell she will probably be hunched up and a bit listless.

Elk · 28/04/2011 19:02

If you are getting the cat from CPL they often pay for the food if the cat needs a special diet, but it will be the minimum amount possible, our local branch is very short of money at the moment.

Otherwise I think they only pay vets costs if the cat is taken under their 'golden oldie' scheme.

ChupaChups · 29/04/2011 13:05

Our cat had been in the rescue centre the longest having been transferred from another centre (about 10 months in total).

He also had quite a few health problems (teeth, stomach upset, conjunctivitis, etc.). He looked very sorry for himself!

I went back to see him three times as I wasn't sure but in my heart I had a feeling he would be okay. We've have now had him for almost a year and no hiccups at all. He is a different cat and I wouldn't change him for the world. I think he was just very depressed and stressed from being in the rescue centre for so long.

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