Cat suddenly very unwell - vet doesn’t know why

[honeyandbutterontoast]

Came downstairs this morning to our 15 year old cat in his bed, rather than his usual yowling for food. He wouldn’t get up or even lift his head. No interest in food or anything.

Took him to vets when they opened, he’s still there now. They have run blood tests and can find nothing significant. He’s too weak to stand, won’t eat. He was absolutely fine yesterday :( They have no idea what on Earth is wrong, he’s on a drip and they are trying antibiotics and anti inflammatories. Apparently it “could be viral” but they have no idea what or even if it is that. His temperature is slightly raised and he has been bleeding from his nose.

Now they are saying he will need to go to overnight vets to stay on drip and I’m panicking how much this is all going to cost. He only has accident and injury insurance. Obviously I will find the money but when they don’t even know what’s wrong or if he will get better, it’s a tough call.

What on Earth could have suddenly made him ill like this??

As they have no idea what’s wrong, they don’t know if he will improve.

If the vets said he may pass tonight I'd probably PTS tonight

My cat started not walking, hiding, wouldn't eat or drink and I knew he was about to die and I wanted him to be comfortable at home but I posted on MN and everyone told me to take him to the emergency vet, he was PTS and although I know he didn't like the vets he was so poorly I couldn't let him go any longer in pain and I'm glad I listened to everyone (although unlike your cat his blood tests showed kidney failure so I knew he definitely wouldn't make it through the night)

Then I would leave him at the vet tonight as if he is in a lot of pain, he’s in the right place. I really couldn’t risk bringing him home for him to be in pain. He’ll get better treatment and pain relief there and they’ll be able to judge better.

@Commonsensitivity Oh now that's interesting. My cat's a Felix fan (turns her nose up at most other brands) and she's been very out of sorts recently (hence clicking on this topic in case there's "something" going round in Cat-Land). I will look into this, thank you.

Blood from the nose can be an indication of raised blood pressure. I'm so sorry OP. I hope your old boy is comfortable. Sometimes raised BP is secondary to another serious issue. Kidney failure, lymphoma, thyroid, to name a few.

@honeyandbutterontoast (hugs). It's awful when a pet is poorly

My cat suddenly became ill when the weather turned cold. He had been going outside and feeling chilly so he was sitting next to the vent for the boiler, which was toasty warm. He got carbon monoxide poisoning and nearly died.

So I picked him up.
vets said he was very unwell and hopefully they would see him again in the morning, to take him in first thing if I didn’t have to take him to emergency vets in the night. That he wouldn’t eat, drink or toilet.

he seemed alert in the basket, came home, ate a full tin of tuna, went outside for a wee, had a drink and is now sitting on the sofa 😱 bit spaced out from the meds but certainly not the way I thought he would be.

no idea what on Earth has been wrong but he seems very very happy to be home.

Presumably the vet has given painkillers etc so he should be comfortable. Fingers crossed for an improvement.

@honeyandbutterontoast I hope your cat recovers. His symptoms sound exactly like my cat - weak, dizzy, sick, nose bleed. Classic symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Are you sure he hasn’t been sitting by the boiler vent and breathing the fumes? Or could there be carbon monoxide in the house? Small pets often show symptoms before humans do. Perhaps get your boiler checked.

One of my little bastards did this.

Evening, started dragging her back legs along the floor as though she couldn't put weight on it, went on for ages I thought she was on the way out, rushed her to emergency vets and she walked right out of that carrier onto the table fine and dandy.

I really enjoyed paying the emergency vet consultation fee 🙃

I had this with our 14yo cat recently. He was really lethargic and not walking properly. Took him to the vets who thought a possible stroke but then he picked up for a couple of weeks until he had a fit right in front of our eyes & I took him to the emergency vets. I think the first time he had one but we didn't see it. He did have cancer too so we had to pts. So awful when they deteriorate
Hope your cat keeps continuing to improve

Aw I was crying when I first read this post so I'm so glad he has made an improvement. X
It sounded at first like my dear cat Parpy. He suddenly stopped eating and was quiet and lethargic. I knew straight away something was wrong as he was normally a happy character and very greedy! The vets didn't seem unduly concerned - said he might be constipated. I could hear his tummy making digestive noises but he wouldn't eat or go to the toilet. The nest day he started to collapse when he walked and wanted to drink alot. I took him back and they said he was dehydrated but still couldn't tell what was wrong. They advised an overnight stay at the emergency vet for tests and IV drip. The vet called me at 4am to go and see him and he had to he put to sleep a few hours later as he totally shut down. We never found out what was wrong and he was only 2.5 years old 😿
But it sounds like hopefully your cat may have turned a corner🤞He at least sounds like he's comfortable

@Noseylittlemoo that's heartbreaking especially so young a cat.

He’s currently fast asleep on the sofa (he’s breathing, I've checked) sandwiched between the dogs who are keeping a careful eye on him.

im guessing maybe the antibiotics they gave him started to have an effect? It’s the only reason I can think that he seems a bit better. But I’m prepared that he may go downhill quickly too.

going to throw caution to the wind and leave the heating on tonight so he can be warm and cosy. May leave him to sleep on the sofa as well.

@Commonsensitivity Oh now that's interesting. My cat's a Felix fan (turns her nose up at most other brands) and she's been very out of sorts recently (hence clicking on this topic in case there's "something" going round in Cat-Land). I will look into this, thank you.

Apparently the recipe has been changed. There is an online Facebook group about it called "cats recently affected by felix food". Lots of cats getting really sick (and some sadly passing away) after eating it.

I’m so glad you did not put him to sleep. I have to admit it’s shocking to see others jump to sati pts so quickly.

one night at home is a good compromise, it’s not weeks and weeks of pain for him. and as you said he has already perked up- not saying this May or may not last but it would just be so awful if he did go back to being 100% and you had listened to other posters and put him to sleep!

Will check again tomorrow, hope he sleeps well

When I went to pick him up I nearly asked them to put him to sleep then.

until the vet told me my cat had torn out the first iv and had been a bit “feisty”. That to me meant he had some fight in him still which I thought was a good sign.

I won’t let him suffer, if he gets worse I will take him straight away.

Yes it really was heartbreaking @Ludo19 . I broke down in the street when the vet phoned me. Parpy was like my child.
I love the way the dogs are looking after your cat @honeyandbutterontoast . I think that will be good for his recovery. They are all family and animals are so in tune when somethings not right.

Oh goodness, poor guy. Praying for good news.

Aww i hope he turns a corner and is back to his usual self 😢❤️

I’m so sorry this has happened. You’re doing all the right things: you sought expert help and treatment, when it became apparent home was the best place for him your brought him home. He may get worse or he may get better but don’t feel pressured into anything.

Vet recommended my cat be put to sleep but then the drugs fixed the problem and she stabilised then improved (so far!)

Really hope he recovers.

Really hope he has a good night and makes a full recovery