Sick cat, help!!

Let me preface this by saying that I'm going to take kitty to the vet first thing in the morning, but I'm a nervous wreck tonight, and wondering if anyone recognizes these symptoms?

(adult male tabby, age 7 - 8)

Saturday: kitty throws up. Don't think too much of it. He gobbles his food and throws up a lot. He's been to the vet before for this and nothing wrong with him.

Sunday afternoon: kitty throws up repeatedly, hours after eating, and then dry heaves when he can't throw up any more. Moans loudly. Hides in the basement. I bring him water. He drinks, seems to feel better. No more episodes. Eating, drinking, playing normally. Seems totally fine, so I don't call the vet. Figure he just ate something that didn't agree with him.

Monday: fine all day. At 5:00 p.m. (just when the vet's office closes...sigh), he starts moaning and trying to throw up again. Doesn't throw up. Just saliva or bile. Flops down on the floor and moans. Then he goes upstairs and hides under the bed. He's there now. He's not moaning or vomiting, but he definitely seems to want to be left alone.

He's been eating, drinking, sleeping, and going to the bathroom normally.
He's an indoor cat, but I did let him outside with me on Saturday while I worked in the yard. He was only outside for about 15 minutes and in plain sight the whole time.
We don't have any poisons around the house. Not sure what he could've gotten into.

We're worried sick. Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? Of course, we're taking him to the vet first thing in the morning, but I'd really like to know if this sounds, well, really serious.

Thanks so much!

My first guess would be that he has an intestinal blockage, caused by a hair mat or something else he swallowed.

Where are you? Call the vet and/or get to the ER vet. If you don't have a vet, call the vet's office and see what the message says to do in case of an emergency.

That's what my mom thought when I described the symptoms...that he had a hair mat in his stomach. Is this a vet emergency? I just don't know, since he had an episode but was totally fine on Sunday and then had the other one today and is now just resting.

Yeah, I wouldn't wait until tomorrow. I'd call my vet's office and they should have a recording saying where to call for emergencies. At least call the ER vet's office and talk to them.

I'd do it now.


Robin

Thanks for the good advice!!

I am with the others, this sounds like an emergency - I would put this kitty right now in the carrier and take him to the ER - I would not wait until morning...

has he been pooping everyday? I ask because these are the EXACT same symptoms my Dave had/has when he was/is blocked up bm-wise (Dave has chronic constipation/megacolon, was a bit younger than your guy when he started)..Either way, as everyone said previously, it's time to get him to the doctor to help him

Originally Posted by mrblanche

My first guess would be that he has an intestinal blockage, caused by a hair mat or something else he swallowed.

Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts! My cat did eat foam rubber a few years back and exhibited these same symptoms. Two surgeries later, he's doing great.

Hope you get him better!

:vi bes:

The x-ray results are in...poor little guy has an enlarged bladder! They're going to put in a catheter. So worried!

Sounds like he has a blockage... Glad you took him to the vet... that can kill him... Is it crystals? Make sure to ask for a diet...

He has a partial blockage. He can still urinate but he's straining. Vet is prescribing antibiotics and a special diet (CU?) for at least 2 months. We get him home today...yay!

Ok, great you know what is wrong. You have to be an advocate for your kitty. So make sure you find out, what kind of crystals he has. My kitty, Beeba had crystals, struvite. He is on CD now and may well be for the rest of his life.

You will have to be mindful of his litter box. It can be stressful, but be vigilant. A good thing for him would be an automatic water fountain to encourage drinking. The more they drink, the quicker it comes out and less time for those nasty crystals to form.

Just be sure to get all the information from your vet. Knowledge is power. (That's my favorite saying, and so very true)

You are a good person to take such good care of your boy!

The c/d diet will help with either type of crystals - it keeps the urine pH neutral. Most other "bladder health" foods make the urine more acidic, which only helps if struvite crystals.

As mentioned, the other thing that REALLY helps keep a healthy bladder is water. We mix a little bit of water into the c/d wet food we feed the kitties.