Yowling, vomiting, and hiding?

I just got home from my graveyard shift and my Zorro was hiding under the bed. Now, this is nothing new but when he came out, he started yowling at me like something was wrong. I've had him for about three years now and he's only made this sound while horrified about something (in his kennel, getting a bath, etc). Now, he's making that sound before vomiting. He's hiding underneath chairs and the bed. He won't come out for very long, but he's extremely warm and throwing up. I keep finding little amounts of vomit around the house. I don't know how long he's been throwing up. I offered him wet food, but he just hid. Should I keep an eye on this for a day or two or should I take him to the vet immediately?

I would take him to the vet even though it probably means a trip to the emergency vet.  It doesn't take much for a cat to dehydrate and if this goes on through the weekend the not eating can cause serious liver issues.  I have a kitty that would do this with IBD flares and you can't syringe feed to protect kitty's liver because nothing will stay down.

Funds are really super tight right now. =[ I was hoping for better news. He's only throwing up white foam. There was a little food in the first batch, but the rest is only foam. His bowel movements seem normal still. I'll wait no more than a few hours just in case it starts to slow down or show any signs of improvement. He was just sniffing at his food when before, he wasn't interested at all, so I hope that's a good sign.

I took him in. I was far too concerned and have a credit card for emergencies. He has a fever of 105.3 (normal for cats is 102, she said). He's very dehydrated. Recommends hospitalization and/or IV fluids she the fever is this high. He's in good hands with them right now getting bloodwork and fluids in him. She's worried it could be pancreatitis which may require further testing, but we're going to see what the bloodwork says first.

I'll keep everyone updated!

I'm glad to hear you took him in and that he's receiving treatment! Sending good vibes!

Thank you for taking him in. Hoping all goes well.

Poor baby : (
I pray it's not something serious!!!
Please keep us posted!!!

They did a blood panel and an ultrasound. His white blood count is really high but his organ functions are fine (thankfully!). They sent me home with a bag of saline to give him every twelve hours and they gave me antibiotics to try to get him to take as well. He has a ton of mucous in his bowel. They said it's an active case of gastroenteritis and I need to give him special food and mix clay in it so his stool gets solid sooner. He has really bad diarrhea. If any of his symptoms get worse, I have to take him back in. I'm keeping a close eye on his stool to make sure there's no blood and it starts solidifying.

I am so glad he is getting the treatment he needs.  Hopefully it's just some kind of bug and he makes a quick recovery.

I'm so glad it's not anything real serious. I went through this very thing, with mine, yrs ago. It is horrifying seeing them yowling in pain. My husband actually broke down crying. My girl was starting to feel better 24 hrs later. The main thing is keeping them hydrated. Thanks for the update. Hugs to your baby

Zorro is a little more active now. He's moving around the house a bit more. He put up some fight with the last IV and still won't eat, but he's taking his pills. JodieThierry64, was your baby eating that same day or did it take her the next day to start eating again too? I'm debating force-feeding him a little homemade broth and clay mixture tonight or if I should wait until the morning.

PuffinFluff said:

Zorro is a little more active now. He's moving around the house a bit more. He put up some fight with the last IV and still won't eat, but he's taking his pills. JodieThierry64, was your baby eating that same day or did it take her the next day to start eating again too? I'm debating force-feeding him a little homemade broth and clay mixture tonight or if I should wait until the morning.

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My girl didn't start eating till the next day and she was back with her normal appetite! I hope Zorro is feeling better by tomorrow!!

Zorro still isn't eating on his own. I got his favorite canned food (Nature's Instinct Rabbit flavor) and watered it down and have been force-feeding him with a syringe. He's got a bit of fight in him now and has had more in his stool than just the mucus. He's not throwing up at all anymore by is still not completely better. Every chance we get, we're forcing him to eat, but we're letting him hide if/when he wants to hide unless it's time for the IV.

Speaking of the IV, I was trying to get the used needle off to replace it and accidentally pulled off the cap and wound up piercing my thumb with the used needle. Does anyone think I should be concerned about it aside from the bleeding/bruising?

PuffinFluff said:

Zorro still isn't eating on his own. I got his favorite canned food (Nature's Instinct Rabbit flavor) and watered it down and have been force-feeding him with a syringe. He's got a bit of fight in him now and has had more in his stool than just the mucus. He's not throwing up at all anymore by is still not completely better. Every chance we get, we're forcing him to eat, but we're letting him hide if/when he wants to hide unless it's time for the IV.

Speaking of the IV, I was trying to get the used needle off to replace it and accidentally pulled off the cap and wound up piercing my thumb with the used needle. Does anyone think I should be concerned about it aside from the bleeding/bruising?

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No you have nothing to worry about. I have a diabetic feline and I have done that. If it was a human, I would worry.
I sure hope Zorro starts eating on his own soon. Syringe feeding is not fun. Your doing good.
((((Hugs))))

I'm really concerned that he hasn't been eating on his own. I know cats can get some sort of liver condition if they don't get enough calories. Should I be syringe-feeding him to the extent that he's getting all of his calories? I've just been trying to get ANY food in his system.

I'm also worried that his skin is getting really tight. I'm not sure if that's from the injections or if he's not absorbing the fluid and is getting more dehydrated. Does anyone know?

Maybe I'm just an over concerned parent, but Zorro is my baby. I don't want anything to happen!

First, you need to keep giving the antibiotics until they are gone.  Do not stop otherwise the bug causing the gatroentrtis will come back.    Next, the bug came from somewhere.   Maybe bad food.  Maybe dirty feeding dish, etc.   Take this opportunity to clean his bowls, water dish, etc with anti-bacterial soap.

Gastroenterities causes extreme gut pain so its normal to have no appetite.   

Once the fever and symptoms subside he should get his appetite back.   If you can syringe feed him homemade warm chicken stock that would be mild and great for his system.   Take a whole chicken just cover with water and boil for 3 hours.   It has nutrients which will aid as well.

Hopefully there is nothing else going on at the same time.   If he starts to look really weak or just sits in a lump with his head down he will need a follow-up with the vet sooner than later.

Best wishes  

Zorro ate on his own this morning and jumped up into the window! I think he's finally getting better!! =]

PuffinFluff said:

Zorro ate on his own this morning and jumped up into the window! I think he's finally getting better!! =]

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Great news.    Even though symptoms are subsiding complete the antibiotics course or he can relapse.    He may have diahrea for a few days I wouldnt worry about it unless it lasts longer than a week.    Its just his system cleaning itself out.   Make sure he gets enough fluids.  

Would also recommend add probiotics once the antibiotics are completed to reestablish gut flora.

PuffinFluff said:

Zorro ate on his own this morning and jumped up into the window! I think he's finally getting better!! =]

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Yeah!!!! Good for Zorro!!!!!!
Apparently his gastroenteritis was worse or hit him harder then my girl. Now he's heading in the right direction!!! I'm so happy for you and Zorro!!! You did a good job with him!!

I'm so relieved! If I hadn't taken him in when I did, he probably wouldn't have made it. I plan on finishing the antibiotics, don't worry about that. I will add probiotics to his diet and I'm planning on putting him on a pure wet food/raw food diet so I can regulate his diet. It hasn't been completely normal since his old cat food went out of business.

His stool isn't pure mucus anymore! It's still mostly mucus...but it's not clear anymore. It's actually brown now, which is a good sign on the digestive front. His temperature is down too. Still a bit high, it was around 103.6 last time I checked. I'll check him again in about an hour or two. (I try not to check more than once a day because I want to avoid irritation.)

Anyway. I'll keep everyone updated until he's 100%. I remember finding one of these threads when Zor's ideal was just starting and the person eventually stopped posting about her cat's position. I was so nervous because it meant that anything could/would happen to my cat because I didn't know what happened to hers. If nothing else, I hope this thread will help keep somebody else's mind at ease if it ever happens to their cat...and to let people realize that vet fees are going to be expensive, but can and will save your cat's life.