Upset Tummy, Vomiting - Virus?

The boys - 21 month old neutered males, indoor only cats - have upset tummies. Domino was vomiting yesterday, otherwise looked good. Took him to the vet yesterday evening. He was very upset - cried all 15 minutes of the drive, pissed himself. She gave him a shot to calm his tummy and kept him overnight to see if A) he'd eat and B) keep it down. He didn't eat and didn't vomit.

Mr. Poe is off his feed - ate last night but not much. Vomited overnight and had a very little diarrhea.

When I called this morning I was told they want to give Domino some fluids and force feed him, primarily to see if he'll keep it down. I'm to call back at noon. Unless he's really "off" I think I'll bring him home. He's going to be horrified by everything - trip to vet, caged overnight, fluids, force feeding. I think he needs to be calm, quiet, and at home, and just let the virus run its course.

I was also told that there's a virus going around and they're seeing a couple of cats a day with the same symptoms.

Now here's the question I'm leading up to - I was at the vet's a couple of days ago to get some Cosequin for my old lady cat (who, thank goodness, is just fine.) While I was there I went in back to cuddle some kittens they have and are looking for homes. My husband is convinced that that's where the virus came from, that I picked it up at the vet hospital and it came home with me. He says more people get sick at the doctor's office than anywhere else and this is just the same.

What do you think? And while you're at it, please send good wishes that Domino and Mr. Poe feel better soon and that Mist avoids whatever is going around.

Just wondering...did they run blood tests? How are their liver enzyme levels looking, if they did run the blood tests, as you had said they stopped eating.  I'm currently dealing with a cat (5 YO) who stopped/slowed eating about a week ago, thankfully no diarrhea/vomiting, and they're concerned about him slipping into hepatic lipidosis from not eating. They haven't been able to pin point WHY he stopped eating, could have been a virus as well, but we're just concentrating on him starting to eat on his own. Also, I'm sure you know all this, having being an active member of the forum and owning multiple cats but....

My point being, is that force feeding sounds terrible - but the vet can do it, or you can do it at  home, or possibly get them interested in either raw/cooked chicken to at least get SOME nutrition into them. Perhaps if they aren't aggressive cats, you can do it yourself at home via a syringe. Over the past week, I've learned the most important thing is to make sure they're eating, otherwise it is a very slippery slope!  

I myself am hoping that the virus can run its course in the next day or so, and that your kitties will regain eating soon. My advice is just try to get fluids and food into them, even if you feel terrible doing it. You'll be making the right decision no matter what you decide to do.

Wishing you and the little guys all the best!  Please keep us all updated :-)
 

MANY viruses and even infections come from the vets just like when we go to the hospital and come home sicker. I've seen kitties come back from the vet with staph infections. Hope they feel better soon. I'd also ask for bloodwork if it continues for another day.

KarenWolf, the only reason Domino was force fed this morning is because he refused to eat overnight and they wanted to see if he could keep food down. Since he did not vomit between 8:30 a.m. and noon I could bring him home.

So I'm happy to make a positive update: Domino is back home as of a few minutes ago and promptly chowed down on some canned cat food that I warmed in the microwave. Plus I gave him a tiny amount of plain yogurt. I think he would have eaten more canned food but I want to start him off slowly, not scarf and barf. I will wait an hour, then give him some more.

He looks fine - came out of the carrier bright eyed and tail up, stropping against my legs, ran ahead of me to the kitchen when I went in that direction clearly indicating he wanted "room service" and some food in his bowl.

No dry food for at least a week, said our veterinarian. She thinks that with his digestive upset it is not sitting well in his tummy. The boys had been getting 4 Tablespoons of dry food / day which I'll replace by 1/2 of a 3 ounce can.

So Domino is O.K., Mr. Poe is under the weather as in subdued and not hungry. But unlike your 5 year old (sounds like his issues are much more serious) I think this is just an upset tummy that will pass in a day or two. I have my veterinarian's cell phone number and can call if I think it is needful. But the boys are young and basically healthy, so doubt I'll need to call. I do have a few more gray hairs though.

Hope your boy also turns the corner and recovers to his previously healthy and happy self.

Things continue to improve. Domino is more his usual chipper self. He's had two more small meals of canned cat food, no difficulties. In fact I know he wants more but little and often seems prudent for today.

Mr. Poe is subdued, spent most of the day hiding but ate some canned cat food, no vomiting. I'm confident he'll feel better tomorrow.

So glad this was something minor that has resolved as quickly as it did / is doing. Wishing the same good results to LaurenWolf's Oliver and all the other kitties.