Lethargic cats

I have three cats (two five year olds and a ten year old), one of whom was just being treated for pemphigus. He's always had pemphigus and has always received shots to treat it with immediate results and maybe one day of lethargy afterwards. My vet was out of his normal medication so I was given eye drops instead to administer for a week. He's been incredibly lethargic and entirely not himself since I began his course of treatment, but it ended on Friday and he's still not himself and still seems kind of sick. Both he and another one of my cats have started sneezing since he started his medication, which I thought was weird. Now all three of my cats are lethargic and have decreased appetites. These have been very healthy cats aside from the pemphigus and I've never experienced anything like this before. The little boy who was being treated has a huge personality and I was thinking maybe since he's so much different than normal that it's affecting my other cats? Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before? I am bringing them to the vet, but I can't get them in until Friday. I'm just so worried about my little guys.

Aw, I know how we can get so worried. We imagine all sorts of things. If only they could talk.

It's good you are taking them in. Your attention to their mood is so important. They hide things so well.

It could be their "instigator" is not feeling well, so they are taking a time out too.

I hope that is the case. Let us know how you do at the vets.

I've never had any experience with Pemphigus. It's good that you are bringing them to the vet. I hope all goes well on Friday.

Hey MandaX,

Firstly, welcome to the site! Glad you came here!

I have not personally had to deal with Pemphigus, but did some reading on it and found this amazing site that you may be interested in reading. (When you see the "bud" reference - she is referring to growing fresh catnip)

http://www.wbryant.com/StellaCat/pemphigus/index.htm

Does your cat with Pemphigus have it on his paws and affecting his pads and nails? If so, this could be the reason he doesn't want to get up - because of the pain. I highly recommend reading this woman's success story with Pemphigus, in detail and with pictures and what her vet did.

I'm not sure if sneezing is a symptom, but the Pemphigus may have lowered your beloved guy's immune system and he may have a simple cold, and it passed to the others, (although I'd, of course, check that out with your vet).

Her cat lived a decently long life, a normal one once all was done as per on her site (stating what her vet did) and her cat was on lifetime meds after that, Prednisolone.

I'm not recommending anything here, just hoping you will read the woman's experience with her cat having Pemphigus and hopeful your beloved guy can benefit from the same type of treatment (unless he's allergic to any of the meds, etc.)

Please keep us in the loop on his, and your other cats' progress?

Hugs to all of you!

Julie O'

Thanks for all the nice words, everyone. My cat (Pickles) has a really rare sort of this already rare disorder. It appears in all sorts of places. At first it would appear on his paws and belly, but then it moved to his mouth and ears and lately it's been appearing around his eyes. This time it was on the inside of his eyelid. It's so sad because he's such a happy wonderful boy who doesn't deserve to be sick. He's happy all the time, even one time when he knocked a glass out of the cupboard and it broke and he jumped onto the glass while I was in bed (blood everywhere!) he was at the vet purring away, rubbing his face on everyone's hands and pawing the exam table, even though his wound wasn't clotting and he was bleeding out. So, seeing him like this the past few days has been so worrying. He must feel awful if it's affecting him so badly. His joints are sore too, he can't jump like he used to. I'm really hoping it's just the drops (Prednisolone) and that this isn't a permanent state for him. Thanks for the link to the site. I'll read it over and try not to get too sad!

Prayers are being said for Pickles and again, so sorry you are going through this!

"Pickles" is a very cute name!!

Blessings and more blessings!

Julie O' and the Puddy-Tats