Sad or sick?

I'm afraid Fletcher is not feeling well he's – for those who don't know him – a 10 months old male, neutered, longhair. Approximately 1 week ago he vomited a few times, but that didn't worry me much because despite the vomiting he was acting normal. Since then, however, he seems more and more depressed.

He does not play with us or with his new friend Barnaby (male, 6 months old), he doesn't welcome us at the door when we come home, he doesn't wake us up for his morning cuddles... He just sleeps.

Other than that, the vomiting stopped and he eats and uses the box regularly. He doesn't show any standard symptoms of sickness, but at the same time he's not himself. He acts like an old cat... This worries me, but I don't want to bring him to the emergency vet just because he's in a mood...

I need your experience, guys... Does it look like something bad is going on?

Your vet isn't open on Sat.? Hmmm...seems strange, as most vets recognize that a lot of people can't get in until the weekend. Where I live there's even a few vets that are open on Sun.

What was in the vomit? Food? Just liquid? If it was liquid, was the vomit colored in any way?

The change in habits would bother me, especially the no meet-and-greet. Could any of his actions be considered hiding?

I wouldn't necessarily take him to an emergency vet, but I would make an appointment for the regular vet. You're coming up on 1 year anyway, maybe you can take care of the 1 year checkup then too.

Sad or sick? I choose sick.

Raintyger said:

Your vet isn't open on Sat.? Hmmm...seems strange, as most vets recognize that a lot of people can't get in until the weekend. Where I live there's even a few vets that are open on Sun.

What was in the vomit? Food? Just liquid? If it was liquid, was the vomit colored in any way?

The change in habits would bother me, especially the no meet-and-greet. Could any of his actions be considered hiding?

I wouldn't necessarily take him to an emergency vet, but I would make an appointment for the regular vet. You're coming up on 1 year anyway, maybe you can take care of the 1 year checkup then too.

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I live in Italy and the vet near us is open on saturday morning... But here it's 6 pm already. After that time it works as emergency vet, with higher fees and usually more serious cases.

This behaviour got worse over the week and I really started to worry just today because I'm home and I had time to observe him closely since this morning. He just ate his first dinner (our cats have two dinners!) with no hesitation and went to the box... All in order.

The vomit was liquid, but clearly food. It had the food color and a few pieces in it. (He eats only wet, good quality food). But he stopped vomiting about five days ago, now his digestive system seems to be working properly...

He does not hide, at all. He sleeps near us, on his favourite cat bed near the sofa, or on our bed if we're sleeping... He's not as social as usual, however.

I'll rush him to the emergency vet as soon as I notice him getting worse, and I'm keeping an eye on him, but is there anything specific I should look for? His eyes, nose and ears are fine, his teeth clean, he walks normally... I am so worried!

Oh, I should add that he had his blood tested and a complete checkup a couple of months ago when he was neutered! (All fine)

See if you can pull up on the back of his neck and see how quickly the skin pops back down, if it isn't immediate I would take him to an emergency vet.  As long as he is eating/drinking okay and is just vomiting he should be okay to wait until monday unless his skin doesn't pop back down.  You are checking hydration levels.

cprcheetah said:

See if you can pull up on the back of his neck and see how quickly the skin pops back down, if it isn't immediate I would take him to an emergency vet.  As long as he is eating/drinking okay and is just vomiting he should be okay to wait until monday unless his skin doesn't pop back down.  You are checking hydration levels.

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Hi. I tested his hydration level before writing here, and it's ok but it's been days since he last vomited. Now he eats and uses the box normally, but other than that he's lethargic. I'm very worried, I think I'll take him to the emergency vet tomorrow in the morning (past midnight here!)

That cat may very well be depressed.  I have had a couple of cats descend into a sort-of 'blue funk', after their best buddies were killed or died. 

In my case, I had to work with and give extra attention to them. 

sick, at 10 months old cats are still very playful, if he isnt following through with his regular habits take him to the vet. Could just be a little cold

Yes, at 10 months and no dramatic traumas or changes in his life recently, I say def. sick. Something is wrong.

He is still technically a kitten, and curious, gets into everything, nosey, explores, but they still have predicatable behavior. He does not.

10 months old and lethargic? I say it's def. time for a vet trip.

Gosh, what it could be? Almost an endless list.

It can be something is partially obstructing his intestinal tract, but is unable to pass, it could be early signs of dry fip, and so on.

Some things can be ruled out since it sounds like he is dewormed, all the norm, or the time frame doesn't work, like it wouldn't be worms, parasites, uri, panleukopenia, doubtful....hmmm.

He does need a vet, asap I believe. He needs labwork done to see what is off in his system.

Good luck.

How long have you had the 6 month old kitty?  I'm wondering if he's a bit stressed from the new cat.

abylover1234 said:

 
sick, at 10 months old cats are still very playful, if he isnt following through with his regular habits take him to the vet. Could just be a little cold

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My two situations were (1) Angel, 18 years old, went into a deep depression, after her buddy CopperEye, was killed by three marauding dogs in our yard.  That happened in February 2003.  Angel died May 15 2003.  She had acted very depressed and uninterested in anything she usually did.  I took her to the vet, and even a friend of ours, who is a legitimate psychic.  She had picked up some of her former spirit before she died, but then....

The second case (2) is going on now.  My big orange tom-cat, neutered, Ginger-Bear, is acting very listless.  He tends to act this way most of the time, but this is more-so.  Angelina--the closest thing ginger had as 'buddy' was killed November 30, 2013 by a neighbor's pit-bull.

Ginger comes in and just nestles in as a settin' hen, or finds a spot outside on the porch and does the same.  Now, whenever he smells fresh canned food or anything else he perceives as food, he is begging constantly.  He has done that all the time he has been with us.    BUT, he has been far more reserved and less demonstrative since Angelina was killed on November 30, 2013.

Thank you all for your advice, guys. I'm writing from the vet's waiting room, we'll be received in a few minutes... This morning Fletcher didn't even wake us up at the usual time (ie: too early) asking for food. He showed interest in it when we got up and went to the box but other than that he didn't move from his spot on the bed. We didn't feed him just in case the vet will need to take his blood for testing.

Cross all your fingers and paws it's our first time rushing to the vet for something other than regular check-ups, vaccination and neutering, we are freaking out.

Sending you positive vibes for a good visit. Please let us know what the vet says and how Fletcher is doing.

Any news on your fur baby? Hope you got some answers at the vet!

happybird said:

Sending you positive vibes for a good visit. Please let us know what the vet says and how Fletcher is doing.

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So... They made us leave him there for testing. He has a fever and the vet is concerned that it might be FIP. I'm a wreck: this possibility plus being separated from my kitten is really hard to take. I hope everything will turn out alright, but right now all I can do is think the worst.

chiarabab said:

So... They made us leave him there for testing. He has a fever and the vet is concerned that it might be FIP. I'm a wreck: this possibility plus being separated from my kitten is really hard to take. I hope everything will turn out alright, but right now all I can do is think the worst.

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As I mentioned prior, FIP is always a possibility. I am hoping, with all fingers crossed and all the positive vibes I can possibly muster up that it is not FIP.

Testing for FIP is tough and tricky, and even misdiagnosed at times.

One more definitive test is if there is fluid found and can be analyzed, but in the dry form, they basically determine it by symptoms as well as a lack of responding to antibiotics, if it brings the fever down, or it remains stable.

The very best of luck and hope, and positive vibes for you and your kitty.

PLEASE let us know asap.    Hang in there. As hard as we (I am the same way) try to think positive and not over-react, it's too easy to think the worst. I def. feel ya there.....especially with something so big...and random as FIP is. Ugly, relentless, unfair disease.

So... Fletcher's home for the night. Basic blood test was performed and came out kind of not good. Stuff I couldn't understand but could possibly point out to FIP. The fluids they gave him all day didn't take the fever down, so that's not good either. We'll take him back tomorrow morning for further testing. I'll try to sleep a little but right now it's hard... Thank you guys, you really are helping a lot

We can help explain some of the test results, if you want to post them.

Get some sleep too.

Lots of prayers and best wishes for you and Fletcher. 

Don't lose hope! Like catwoman said, FIP is a very tricky diagnosis. There is still the possibility that Fletcher could have an infection somewhere internally, causing the fever and other symptoms. Sometimes when a vet cannot quickly pinpoint exactly what is wrong, they will start to lean towards an FIP diagnosis. There are several folks here who are very knowledgable about blood test results and can explain exactly what they mean. And by drawing on their years of experience with many, many feline health issues, they might be able to suggest certain tests for the vet to perform that could help get to the bottom of whatever is making your kitty feel so poorly.

I will be thinking of you and Fletcher and praying for you both.