Cat not acting like himself the last couple of days.

Hello, this is my 1st posting.  I am very happy to have found this site.

I have a 9 year old male cat who is behaving unusually the last 2 days.  On Saturday, I found he had vomited.  It was just dry food.  He does this occasionally when he eats too much.  He acted like he didn't feel well right afterwards, but I knew vomiting can upset their tummies so I wasn't too worried about it.

That evening, he still didn't feel good, was only laying on floor locations (he is generally an up cat)  He hadn't eaten or drank anything the rest of the day and was slightly dehydrated.

On Sunday, he seemed to be doing a little better, he did eat and drink.   But he still wasn't he normally rambunctious self.  He did go outside for a few minutes (we have supervised play time daily in the back yard) and showed interest in things around him.  However, most of the day he just layed around.  He wasn't pestering me at my computer all day long like he usually does.   He also didn't come in and visit me at bed time (which he always does)

Today, I have seen him eat, drink and urinate (no straining noted) and he is alert.  But he still spent all day laying around and when he does move get up he seems to be moving slowly.   He chased a lizard during outdoor time this morning (not moving slowly then), but this afternoon he showed little to no interest when I got out his favorite bird toy (I keep these in a drawer as he has pica and I don't want him to eat the feathers). 

Bottom line is that if he was my other cat, I wouldn't be worried, but this is very out of character for this cat.  We have always joked that he got the dog instruction manual by mistake instead of the cat one.  He usually sleeps very little compared to most cats, is always under  foot, and thinks everything is a toy.

I have felt him all over, feel nothing unusual, and he doesn't have any reaction that would indicate he is in pain.

If he backslides at all, I will immediately make a vet appointment.  However, what would your suggestions be if he just continues as he is?

I am worrying myself sick (I have lost 3 family members in the last 2 years, so I am definitely prone to being over sensitive to health issues right now)

Thank You so much - sorry this was so long - SA

My advice is to take him to the vet tomorrow and have him checked out. He's 9 years old and around the age where senior type things start to happen. It could be his teeth, or something else.   Plus you say it's out of character for him, so better to have the doctor check him over even if it's just for your peace of mind.

My cat's face was swollen on one side last week. He was till playful and eating and being all loving as usual.  Today the swelling was almost gone and I almost made the decision to to not take him, but I did anyway.  Turns out he has a very bad infection inside his mouth/cheek, which I didn't know about because he wasn't showing any signs, at least to my eye.

I would second the vet visit. There is enough abnormal behavior (for him) to warrant it. Many vibes that he gets over it quickly.

Thank You for your responses

I did set up an appointment with the vet.  We will go in on Thursday morning.  They said since he was eating, drinking and eliminating, it didn't sound like an emergency and that I shouldn't worry.  (if things would go downhill, I am to call and they will then see him on an emergency basis)  

Hopefully it is nothing serious.  I have had 2 thyroid kitties, diabetic kitty and a kitty with heart issues so hoping not to have another special needs kitty.   I am missing my little nosy busybody and hope the vet can figure out what is ailing him and get him back to his normal self.

Turns out Winston probably his Pancreatitis.  I have just written a new post explaining what I found out.  Again Thank You for your support - SA