Lethargic cat

[ofwarren]

My 2 year old tabby is lethargic today and I'm taking him the vets tomorrow.

He didn't eat his dinner and he's literally slept all day. I also noticed when he climbed the stairs earlier it was like it tired him out and he needed to rest on the way up.

He just looks sad. He's alert when I wake him but he's just not himself.

I can't find any sore areas, I've seen him wee and I've given him 5 lickylicks spread out through the day as he's not eating.

Any ideas what it could be? He's never been ill before.

First thought is has he been for a wee in the last 12 hours? Blockage or crystals in the urinary tract for male cats can be fatal fairly quickly (within 24 hours), whereas for female cats it's uncomfortable but not life threatening, so please keep an eye and call the emergency vet if you see him straining to wee at any point.

If it isn't that I'm glad you're taking him to the vet anyway - my vet always says to be alert for any change in behaviour because cats are good at hiding things.

Sending hugs for both of you!

I only noticed the wee because he usually wees outside and he used the litter tray for the first time in ages.
Feel so bad for him. We have 5 cats but he's really bonded with me and it's upsetting to see him like this.

Sorry @ofwarren just clocked you did say you saw him wee in your OP - it's been a long day 😳

He might have had an altercation with another cat outside and is recovering his pride? One of my two spent two months refusing to go out even in my arms, several vet visits couldn't find anything wrong, and then one day just ambled out of the cat flap like nothing had ever happened. Cats are fluffy little weirdos! But I also hate when they're not well :(

On the plus side you've noticed and you're going to help him get better! But sorry my post was utterly useless!

My cat was a bit like this last year, although he also had a strange occasional cough. But he was totally out of it sleeping all the time and not really eating. And like you say, alert if I woke him.

He had an upper respiratory infection that made him quite poorly and although we could treat at home it was a good couple days before he picked up properly.

Taking to the vets is the right thing to do. Just be prepared for potential blood tests as there aren't 'obvious' symptoms so to say, he's just not himself, so bloods will help look for signs of infection etc.

Hope he feels better soon 🐾

I've just counted his respiration and he's breathing faster than he should. Not even got out of hours vets here to take him to.
Kicking myself for not checking that earlier and getting him an emergency appointment today 😥
It's going to be a long night

Aw, fingers and paws crossed for him - it's so worrying. You can get an online emergency video vet appt with VetsNow @ofwarren - I've used it a few times and it's been really useful. They run to 11pm and I've been able to get one fairly quickly each time I've used it: www.vets-now.com/videovet/

If he goes outside, I wonder if he's eaten something he shouldn't have done?

Has he been sick or done a poo?

Neither

I'll definitely keep their details for future use.
Not sure they would be able to do much in this circumstance though as he needs a physical check over and bloods.
Even if they could get us an out of hours in a different town, we don't have a car so will need to go to our own vets as its only round the corner.

Try not to panic, although I know it's hard. When my boy wasn't well he started to go down hill on the Saturday afternoon, clearly wasn't well all Sunday but the vets didn't open again until Monday. Just keep him comfy for the night and he will be ok. Don't be hard on yourself.

He's sleeping again now and his breathing is in the normal, but higher range.
Its so hard when they are ill isn't it. I panic more than I do with the kids 🤣

How is he this morning OP?

He's basically slept in the same spot all night since around 10pm.
He wakes up if I stroke him but he isn't any better at all.
Vets at 12.

During covid my cat suddenly stopped eating. She's a lot older - 14 at the time and previously a stray so this was unheard of and I panicked. She was even refusing lickylix. I took her to the vets, they offering blood tests etc but they thought it could be a urinary infection and offered a needle so I went with that. By the time I'd brought her home and out of the carrier she was back walking and went over to her uneaten food (I had plates of chicken all over the place to tempt her) and polishing it off. She had medication for five days and was absolutely fine. Fingers crossed for your boy being as straight forward x

When my boy was like this, he was brewing an abscess on his tail. I know you said you can't find any sores, but cat bites don't always show straight away as the wound heals quickly, trapping the bacteria in. The first sign for him was frantic licking then he developed a bald spot, then the swelling.
Hope your boy is soon better.

Vet rang with a cancellation for ten to 11 so we've just come out.

It's looking like there is something wrong with his back hip/thigh area possibly. He is walking lowered and gingerly and wasn't happy being examined there. Makes sense with the way he was walking up the stairs yesterday. I thought it was because he was tired but it may be because of pain.

His temp is ever so slightly up so he's been given injections of anti inflammatory and antibiotics and he's got another appointment tomorrow for xray if there is no improvement over night.

He's managed some lickylicks and she said to just feed him those I'd that's all he wants and I'm going to isolate him to one room so his siblings leave him alone.

His obs other than the slight temp are fine.

Aw bless him ☹️

In terms of other food to try, I have tried the 'soup' versions of wet food with mine when they didn't want to eat much. Also there is a range called Encore which is basically bits of actual chicken/fish and rice in a broth. They also go down well.

That's a really good idea. I'll go and get some.

@ofwarren it's so hard when they're unwell and not eating! You worry about why they're not well and then on top of it not eating enough! ☹️

I'm glad you've been seen - hopefully the medication makes all the difference. Sounds like maybe he landed funny or maybe got clipped by a car?

In terms of food, mine love plain, poached chicken plus the water it's cooked in when they're under the weather.

Awww bless him. Something that sometimes works with my cats is to give them tiny cubes of chicken which I put water on and warm in the microwave.

I know the main thing is to keep him eating / drinking something so the added water seems to help.

Hopefully the injections will help x

He's managed to eat!!
I got a variety of things from the shop and he settled on a pouch of Sheba.

Will he go under general for an xray or sedation does anyone know?

It's usually sedation for an xray OP. Hope he is continuing to improve. They are such a worry when they're poorly. Have you been told to starve him? They usually do for GA and sedation just like humans. Allow access to water though.

He's been back to the vets and didn't need the xray as he's much much better!
He's leaning into his left leg a tiny bit when sitting but the vet cannot feel anything.
Hes been given pain relief and antibiotics to take at home.
I'm so glad I took him in. She said it must have been pain or infection because one of the medicines (or both) is working.
Temperature totally normal today too

What a fab update, glad he's feeling much better today!