When to see vet - poorly cat

[Butternutter01]

Started with an upset tummy; he normally poops outside but the kitchen floor had lots of runny cat poops on it this morning. The cat then lay on the bed and has also soiled the duvet and carpet. He’s very lethargic and floppy and won’t eat, just turned his nose up at the treats I offered him which is VERY out of character.

How long do I leave him before we see the vet? Do cats get sickness bugs like humans? He’s 4, otherwise healthy, active and greedy!

The fact that you're even considering delaying when your cat is showing such alarming symptoms is disgusting. Get your cat to the vet now.

I would call vet now!

poor cat needs to see the vet asap, he sounds very unwell and needs to be checked over.

I think I'd ring up to ask about getting seen today or tomorrow. I'm normally one of the first to think folk can manage at home. Lethargy is the flag for me.

I think I would see the vet quickly actually. This sounds quite serious.
I usually leave cats until the next day if they seem a bit off, but they are very good at masking illness. The fact that your cat is lethargic and floppy would concern me.

He has just eaten a couple of dreamies and started purring. I will see if he has any more poops.

@BananaChocolateLump we are not irresponsible pet owners I’m sure I’m not the only person that finds it difficult to know if it’s an overreaction to get the vet involved!

You literally described him as floppy and lethargic. Would you wait it was a child? I'm guessing not.

Yes, you ARE irresponsible pet owners.

Ring your vets and ask their advice. Our vets are doing WhatsApp/video triage at the moment and they operating a drive-thru system.

Is he drinking water? Try to avoid the dreamies if he's got an upset tummy, offer plain chicken and rice in small amounts. If he is still vomiting on a bland meal the definitely take him to the vets.

Is he an outdoor cat. He could've eaten something he shouldn't have if so.

Sometimes purring doesn't always mean they're happy, they do it if they are in pain too.

Good luck, I hope it's nothing and he feels better soon.

Purring can be sign of pain too... Please call vet and discuss symptoms with them to see if they would need to examine him. I also would not suggest feeding him atm as it might be something stomach related...

I took my cats to vet for a much lesser symptoms, but I'm panicky when it comes to my pets.

Is he still drinking? Any more poo or vomit?
The purring could be misleading as cats can purr when in pain, I think it can be a form of self comforting.

The fact that he’s shining outside the tray, in more than one place, is a clear sign something is wrong. And the lethargy would really worry me. And as others have said, I’d not be giving dreamies on such an upset stomach.

Personal opinion - you should be on to the vets ASAP, not waiting until he goes to the loo again.

I despair sometimes.

Shining? Don’t know where that came from. Was meant to say going.

I’d be going today.

My OH sometimes says i'm overreacting but i haven't been wrong yet (obviously 😂)

Better to be safe than sorry!

Me neither @Oldestchild90s.

let us know how he is tomorrow, OP. Hopefully all better on his own.

You can never over-react by taking your cat to the vet if they are poorly. However, you can under-react which I am afraid to say is what you are doing. As someone else said, a cat purring can be a sign they are in pain. Just because your cat ate a couple of dreamies isn't a sign it is ok.

How's your cat today OP?

Cats are very prone to dehydration which can quickly lead to kidney failure and I'd be seriously worried about a cat with such bad diarrohea that he's soiling everywhere.

Purring is also a sign of a cat trying to self soothe because of pain. Please at least phone the vet and ask for advice, but if this was my cat I'd be seeing a vet as an emergency.

Purring isn't always sign of contentment , often purring is a sign of stress or pain
Hope you got your cat to the vet yesterday and he's now on the mend ?

Sounds very serious. I would be calling the vet immediately after the soiled kitchen floor for just some advice. They might say give it 24 hours, they might say bring him in now. Why would you leave it?!

Cats can dehydrate v quickly so the diarrhoea is an issue

OP,
I think you are being really irresponsible. Why don't you take your cat to the vet to make sure he doesn't have a serious issue?