Should I take my cat to the vets today?

[bluefineliner]

Looking for some sensible advice as I am worried about my beautiful 5 year old cat.

He was fine on Thurs, then Fri morning wouldn't eat and became lethargic. Managed to get him to lick gravy of some cat soup (usually his fave and he is very greedy normally). Seemed a little hot and breathing more rapidly so took to vets Fri morning. Vet can't find anything obvious, so gave a painkiller and said bring in again Sat morning if not eaten.

He did eat his tea, but remained lethargic, so didn't go back to vets as he'd eaten. Since Fri teatime he's not eaten anything other than 3 mouthfuls of tuna and a lick of cat soup, is just sleeping. He will allow to be picked up and stroked but is not very responsive, purrs slightly, but not drinking at all. He is also closing his eyes and squinting a lot, but will get up occasionally, only to sit straight back down.

So do I take him to the vets again today? or wait to see how he is tomorrow, he is so not like my lovely lively boy. I do have insurance so cost isn't the issue.

Any experience of this or advice please?

I'd take him today, it's worth getting him checked over

Yes I would take him. I’m not a vet but I think if my cats were like that I’d definitely be worried enough to want peace of mind that there was nothing serious going on.

I hope he's feeling better soon

Yes I think I'd take him, or at least ring for advice. Hope he's well soon.

Absolutely take him. I left it too long to take my cat and he couldn’t be saved.

Yes I would take him. Is he going to the toilet?

Definitely take him.

Cats can get Covid, and I wonder if the lethargy is Covid fatigue. Has anyone in your household had it recently?
It could of course be a whole number of other things, but I wonder if the vet has excluded this.

He's lethargic, not eating and unresponsive.
You have insurance and cost isn't the issue.

Why would you even consider waiting??

Surprised the vet didn't try an antibiotic! Sounds like some kind of infection.

Definitely take him, cats can go downhill fast

No covid in the house.

He is not totally unresponsive, he lifts his head when I come in the room, but would normally stand up and come over for strokes, and is purring slightly when I talk to him.

I was planning on taking him tomorrow if no better. The vet said they will admit him and do blood tests if we bring him back so I was wondering if the stress for him, of taking him there today was justified if I am just being too panicky, too early, which I usually am.

I have two cats and have been a cat owner for 25 years, so have had many emergency trips to the vets for them to perk right up within a few hours.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat I don't know about toileting, he goes outside through his catflap, but has made a couple of short trips outside in this timeframe.

Christ yes, take him today. That sounds very worrying.

The stress of the trip is nothing compared to how ill he is obviously feeling.

Mr cat was like this recently was given and anti sickness injection and after a few hours she got her purr back and the next morning starting eating again and back to herself.

Get cat straight to vet. Like other poster said cats can go downhill fast. Can might need fluids.

If an animals drinking habits change it's a worry , the risk of dehydration.
Maybe he drinks puddles , but it doesn't sound like he's gone out or drunk indoors .

UTI risk ? Has he made any attempt to pee ?
Is he hunching, complaining , passing any blood stained pee?