My My poor Josh... he's just not himself...

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, but I hope I can gain a bit of insight.

My kitty Josh... he hasn't been himself for about 3 days now.

Normal behavior for Josh would be... sleep about 20 hours a day, of the awake 4 hours he is playful, loves to interact with people. He wrestles playfully with JJ. He doesn't like to be picked up, but will initiate jumping into lap for petting. He loves to be petted and talked to. He is always purring. He's inquisitive and curious, and very smart. He and his brother are both indoor/outdoor cats. Josh is more of an indoor cat than an outdoor, although he does prefer to do his business outside...(thank God!) He will snack on dry food throughout the day and look forward to about 3oz of wet food in gravy at night.

Now then, in the last few days I've noticed that he hasn't been seeking out attention as much. He's been sleeping more and I can't really get him to play. He just seems like he's not bothered to...like he doesn't have the energy. He hasn't completely stopped eating, and I have a petmate water fountain and I've put fresh water out for him as he really is and has always been kinda picky about his water. The lack of interest in playing has really got me worried, because it's just not like him. I thought maybe he is a bit depressed and maybe needs some extra TLC.

I can't take his temperature because I don't have a thermometer, well not the right kind of thermometer I don't think... but his ears are cool. I counted his respirations and they were around 36... which my research found was in normal range. He's not coughing or hacking or doesn't seem to be in any kind of discomfort. He just seems... so... lethargic I guess would be the word. Doesn't seem to be interested in any playtime which is sooooo unusual for him.

How long should I wait before I take him to the vet? I don't really have the money to bring him right now, but I don't want to chance it if he's really sick. Definitely no temp though... even without a thermometer... I feel confident that his ears would be warm if he had a temp and they're not... they're cool to the touch.

What do you think I should do?


Helly

I'd bring him to the vet soon. As soon as you possibly can. Lethargic can mean any of a number of things.

I agree...lethargic can mean a number of things. If you want, call your vet, explain the symptoms, and let them help you decide.

How old is your kitty? Has he been to the vet lately, like for shots or anything?

Cats really hide illness, so if he's acting strange, likely he's not feeling good.

Josh is 4 years old... I'm giving him lots of TLC tonight. He seems a bit better, but he's still not playing. He is cleaning himself though... he wasn't doing that last night. He's using his scratch slope, he likes that.

I'll probably call the vet tomorrow... there's a clinic in town thats open on Saturdays sometimes.

He and his brother are both due for their shots. They were actually due in July... I've been so behind on bills though, so I never got them done.

He's retired to upstairs... which means he hasn't been outside yet today, which means he hasn't voided. That concerns me too.

I'll definitely call the vet tomorrow.

Thanks everyone.

How closely are you able to watch him pee?

Male cats can get a urinary blockage with can kill them. Symptoms are acting like they have to go a lot, crying when they urinate, not being able to urinate, & being lethargic.

That just popped into my mind when you said he hasn't gone the bathroom all day. And that would be a big concern, not going potty.

He hasn't made a peep. He's not in pain. He's just blah. But he still loves being pet and purrs up a storm.

That's why it's just weird. I don't know if it's lethargy. He just doesn't seem to be interested in playing... and he's not as interested in eating the wet food either...he eats it, but not with as much enthusiasm.

He's not interested in the laser... which he normally likes. I have a blue thing that I use to help me lift my leg.... (long story)... he LOVES to play with me with that... and I keep trying to tease him with it and he could care less...he'd rather sleep. I keep waiting to see what he'll do if his brother initiates a wrestling match... he loves that too... normally.

I'll keep you guys updated.

ANY change in behavior, activity level, or elimination is a sign something's not quite right. Off to the vet for a good check up, sooner rather than later is definitely needed in this situation. Let us know how he's doing and what the vet says.

Stephanie

I just went through this with my 3 yr old cat. She started not coming around and when I took her to the vet, she had lost over a pound in 3 weeks! That's a lot of weight for a cat to lose. I had xrays and blood panel done. After all that he gave me some pills stimulate her appetite and that worked I also made sure I gave her lots of attention and kept a small tupperware bowl of dry food or treats nearby to make sure she was eating and not being bullied by the others at the food bowls. So I would definitely discuss it with your vet very soon and hope that Josh is easily patched up and back to normal

Welcome to The Cat Site!

Even at 4 years, if it is a result of a vaccination, it is possible!!

When is he set to have it biopsied? Hopefully, not too long of a nervous wait!

I think I'd take him to the vet to make sure the site doesn't get infected. If there was pussy gunk coming out, there's a possibility it'll reinfect. I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Ya know, I didn't actually see it drain, unfortunately. By the time I got home it was completely drained and just had like fluid left. I wish I had seen what came out, as gross as that sounds... at least I would have been able to describe it to the vet.

I am relieved though... can't even describe it. I'm not going to bring him back there though. I'll bring him to the other one... it's more $$ but I brought my other kitty there not long ago. That was a case of, I should have waited because he had just bruised his paw... but always better to be safe than sorry. But they were really gentle with him and they followed up with a phone call like 4 days later too. I thought that was a nice touch.

I'll call them tomorrow and see if they have any openings.

After going to both... I think the clinic is okay for annual shots... but for sick visits... best to go to the animal hospital. Live and learn.

Yeah, I agree...I think you should see a vet because your cat may need antibiotics to prevent further infection. Also a vet can make sure the spot is completely drained out.

Definitely take him to the vet. My baby Bea got an abcess under her left from leg a few months back. As soon as I found it I rushed her to the vet, checked it, antibiotics, waited, still there. So the vet went to drain it and it turned out that a lot more had to be done. all kinds of tissue and blood and pus was all muddled up together in there and she had to be kept overnight and knocked out for minor surgery, then another couple weeks with drainage tubes.
She went from fine and happy to cranky with a lump in about three days, that's all it took for the abcess to spiral out of control.

Better safe than sorry, kitty could get a major infection, not to mention, the vet bill was over $800