Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

My cat seems unwell

18 replies

Shiningstarr · 01/10/2022 18:55

Hi,

My 4 year old cat doesn't seem himself. I'll take him to the vet on Monday, but wanted to ask here aswell.

He seems really lethargic, off his food and when we walks, he walks really slowly which is not like him. He stayed in all last night, which is unlike him, and he's slept all day outside in his 'outside bed'.

I did manage to give him a couple of Dreamies, which he ate, but he's not usually like this.

Can cats be off colour and then better a few days later, like us?

OP posts:
Surtsey · 01/10/2022 18:59

He may have been in a fight. We have one who went into a depressed sulk for days when he got beaten up by a local rival. Will he let you feel him all over? It might be worth checking all his claws too, as they often get damaged or broken in a scrap.

LynetteScavo · 01/10/2022 19:00

Hmmm, cats are quite hardy, so if he seems poorly he's probably quite unwell. Cats aren't like us in that that we are obviously poorly with a virus, then feel better after a couple of days. I hope he's OK!

Surtsey · 01/10/2022 19:04

If you have access to raw mince, sardines, pate or some cooked chicken, try him with a little bit of that. Has his fur lost its sheen? Being 'off colour' is a literal description.

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 01/10/2022 19:07

Surtsey · 01/10/2022 19:04

If you have access to raw mince, sardines, pate or some cooked chicken, try him with a little bit of that. Has his fur lost its sheen? Being 'off colour' is a literal description.

No none of that. He seems sorry for himself. He's moving around slowly like an older cat would. He seems in a sulk.

We have recently got a new kitten, I wonder if this has anything to do with it. They have been introduced slowly and seem ok together, but my son was in charge of them yesterday as I was working, so I don't know if anything happened or not.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 01/10/2022 19:09

Been in a fight and got an injury/abscess or hurt himself being over athletic would be my guess

Iammeiamfree · 01/10/2022 19:09

I have 3 cats. I think if they show these signs for more than a day or two it should definitely be checked out. Cats are so good at compensating for illness, if they seem ill for a significant length of time, they usually are. Hope your kitty feels better soon 😺

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 01/10/2022 19:21

Surtsey · 01/10/2022 18:59

He may have been in a fight. We have one who went into a depressed sulk for days when he got beaten up by a local rival. Will he let you feel him all over? It might be worth checking all his claws too, as they often get damaged or broken in a scrap.

Thanks, when he comes in I will check him all over. I should have done it earlier really but wanted to give him a bit of space.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/10/2022 19:24

I would definitely check all over. Check for puncture marks or lumps (could be abscess). Also look at paws. Car accidents often result in split claws etc.
Also is he weeing? Could be bladder issues. One of my boys had this.

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 02/10/2022 12:25

Thanks I've found out what the problem is. I noticed one of his back paws is in a different position to the others. He's putting weight on it, but doesn't like it if I touch it, whereas I can touch the others.

I think he's hurt himself doing something. No puncture wounds as far as I can see, claws all intact.

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 02/10/2022 12:27

Get him to the vet first thing.

AsAnyFuleKno · 02/10/2022 12:28

They can get stiff like that with infections - take him to the vet tomorrow, he might need antibiotics.

HappyHamsters · 02/10/2022 12:36

How isnhis paw in a different position, is it swollen or out of shape. He could have been bitten, infected or dislocated. I would see the vet today really, he could be in pain.

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 02/10/2022 14:23

Booked in to emergency vets for 3.30 x

OP posts:
Original poster
Shiningstarr · 02/10/2022 14:34

If it was just his paw but he was fine in himself, not too bad, but he's lethargic and 'out of it' 😥

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 02/10/2022 15:18

Do let us know, OP.

I hope that all is well.

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 02/10/2022 17:08

Thanks we are back. I'm really glad we took him. His temperature was 41 which the vet says is really high and will be why he has been so lethargic and out of it.

She couldn't see anything obvious on his back foot / leg, but it's swollen and sore to the touch. No fractures. We've got to watch for any pus or discharge over next couple of days.

Blood results showed liver and kidneys are fine, so he's not ingested anything toxic, there is no sign of infection but his inflammatory markers are high.

So he has had a dose of anti inflammatory medicine, and we have to observe him and hopefully that will be enough. If not then it's back to our usual vets for a longer course.

He ate as soon as he got home, so that's good, the medicine is obviously working.

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 02/10/2022 17:32

Really glad you took him OP. The anti inflammatory stuff does wonders, did they give him any antibiotics?

Original poster
Shiningstarr · 02/10/2022 17:44

JorisBonson · 02/10/2022 17:32

Really glad you took him OP. The anti inflammatory stuff does wonders, did they give him any antibiotics?

Thanks yes I'm glad we took him too, I'm grateful to everyone for their advice. No antibiotics as bloods show no infection, just inflammation, so the vet is saying the anti inflammatory will be enough.

Bill was £448, thankfully I've got pet insurance so just paid the £99 excess 😅

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page