Low temperature, lethargy, etc. in a cat?

Hello. I joined this forum because I am very, very afraid and unsure of how to handle this situation. My cat has recently gotten sick, about, Tuesday. He started throwing up a lot and wouldn't keep any water down, wouldn't even look at food. He didn't go potty either. He would wander aimlessly throughout the house, looking for different spots, and just lay there after about 10 steps. He would do this repeatedly throughout the day. He did not seek warm areas, rather, he laid on the cold ground. Whenever he lays down or sits, he stares off into space... Also, he stinks. Really bad.

Yesterday, I took him to the vet, and got blood work done, and nothing super concerning came up. His RBC was a bit high but not too much that it was a concern, as well as his glucose level being slightly high but not enough to be diagnosed diabetic. However, he had a low temperature. I believe what he said was 93 degrees F. The vet injected subcutaneous fluids underneath the skin. Something to re-hydrate him. My cat was then wrapped in a towel and I took him home to care for him some more. I gave him water with a small baby syringe every hour or so, as well as fed him a syringe full of watered down wet food from the Vet's office. I took the top off of his carrier and put a heating pad as well as some blankets in there so that he wouldn't get burned.

When I woke up, he'd peed all over his bed I made for him as well as all over himself... I took him to the vet again and his temperature was 94 today. they gave me antibiotics and gave him more fluid to re-hydrate him. I created a little private room for him in my bathroom with a space heater, litter box, and soft blankets. He didn't want to sit on the blankets, and kept getting into the bath tub. He peed just a little bit in there, and it was kind of yellow... For now, he's in a clothes basket with a lid on top (there is holes for ventilation in the clothes basket) and there's blankets laying on the bottom with a heating pad underneath the basket. I've fed him and gave him more water orally and he's kept it down so far. He's still very lethargic, and I don't know what his temperature is right now.

I keep reading stories like this and the cat dies. I'm so, so scared. This is not my first cat, but it wouldn't be the first cat I've adopted that died young.

I appreciate any feedback, thank you...

Hi @Yukimura

I'm very sorry for your cat's illness, it does sound serious.

Has he possibly eaten anything dangerous? Plants?

Did the vet ultrasound or xray for obstructions?

Is he an indoor cat?

Did they also take urine?

I am going to get some more advisors to look at this.

You are apparently doing what is possible to do in home conditions, not being expert.

The vets doenst seems to know exactly what it is, so they treat is conservatively, as well they can.  Also thinking not to break down your budget.  

Without clear clues, its difficult to do anything more. 

I dont have any guesses.  A couple of tips though which may become useful.

If you can get goat milk, try with this.  Fresh or bottled.   Cant hurt, may help...

Instead of common water to hydrade him through this small syringe,  use some form of homemade pedialyte.

There are surely several possible, but it should contain glucose sugar (dextrose is a common brand name) and salts...

I will write a more exact receip later, Im in hurry now.

Also, a Feliway diffuser may be useful.  It wouldnt heal him, but it will  feel him a little better, give him some security...  Which he needs.

The  severly sick ones needs hope to survive, no?  So Feliway helps him with that.

Talk friendly and reasurringly with him, make friendly noises,  like a friendly cat would.

The outcome we dont know, but lets hope time will work with him.   As he get better assistance than most other sick kitties

do pray - and hope for the best.

Good luck!

*vibes!*

Did the vet do any other tests other than a blood pannel? Try not to get yourself to worked up as your poor boy will be able to tell you are upset over something. If your vet hasn't done any of the diagnostics mentioned by @StephenQ  I would seriously consider taking the kitty back and asking for these to be done as they may help determine what the cause is. In the mean time keep him as comfortable as you can with as little stress as possible. Did he perk up any with the subQ fluids or did he remain lethargic?  many vibes for your poorly boy x

I'm sorry that I can't read all of your replies right now, I'm in extreme distress. After a few hours, he began wheezing and had labored breathing which lasted about 5 hours (I have not slept all night) and so I took him to the vet this morning and now he is in an oxygen cage and on steroids. I'm hoping and praying that he will pull through, but right now, everything seems to be inconclusive.

The vet does not know if its asthma, lung tumor, or anything of the sort. We just have to wait and see.

Is the vet doing more testing as well? Sending vibes.

So sorry. Prayers for you and your kitty.

I initially started giving my cat sub-q fluids for constipation. One night after giving fluids I noticed that she was shivering. The room temperature fluids had brought her core temperature down and she didn't have the body fat at the time to help insulate. Ask the vet to warm the bag slightly. You might also try warming the cat food.

If you end up giving sub-q fluids at home, ask the vet about warming the fluid bag (and if heat will damage the ingredients in the bag). If the vet okays this, here is a link about giving sub-q fluids and how to warm the bag: http://www.felinecrf.com/managb.htm

@Yukimura.  Im thinking on you and your cat.  Just to pray and hope..And try to manage whatever outcome.

Shikata ga nai, neh?

Warm greetings!

Unfortunately, my cat did not make it. He was suffering really badly, and the oxygen did not help. He died at 9:17 this morning. It was really hard to see him go.

I am so sorry to hear this outcome. It is always so hard when you don't know what the trouble is, and even more when it happens suddenly. You certainly did all the right things but sometimes Nature takes over and there is nothing we can do. Can the vet give you any indication of what could have been the problem?

Yukimura said:

 
Unfortunately, my cat did not make it. He was suffering really badly, and the oxygen did not help. He died at 9:17 this morning. It was really hard to see him go.

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I am very sorry for your loss.  Heartbreaking.

The ASPCA maintains a free grief hotline, and it is a very compassionate service manned by trained professionals in grief counseling.  I can't recommend them enough.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-loss

ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at (877) GRIEF-10. (877-474-3310)

I think it is time, out of respect, to close this thread now. I do hope that when you are ready, you will open a new thread in the Crossing the Bridge Forum, where you can pay tribute to your lovely boy and others can add their condolences.