Hello forum! I am new here but would like to ask for help to solve a mystery that has turned fatal. I recently adopted a cat from a friend you rescued three kittens. I have only had Rico my cat for less than a week and half. My friend took him to the vet and the vet gave him a an a check up and said he was ok and healthy. Only with some minor eye issues but not major. Today my kitten Rico passed away, I never had to deal with issue and I find it hard to believe even though I didn't have him long. He was an active cat and loved playing around just like any kitten would. However, not too long ago or just a couple of days of ago, I noticed that he had a really bad pink bulge under his neck. This happened literally overnight (the image is attached and is rather graphic). My fiancé and I cared for him as we bathed the cat to make sure he was flea free and we cleaned out his wound. The next day and again overnight, he began to limp. I understand that cats and especially young kittens it is common for sprains to happen. We continued to care for him and cleaned out the area under his chin as we began to find a vet since we haven't lived in the area too long. His health declined fast an again overnight his toenails began to look infected and he began to limp and eventually could not walk and was very limber. We were going to take him to the vet today but instead we were too late. I feel awful as I feel I could have been much faster in just taking him to vet sooner. However, I have heard of abscess in cats can occur and bacteria can accumulate rather quickly as infections and release toxins. I also ready somewhere that kitten cold also have a rapid decline in health for no reason when abandoned my the mother cat as this happened to our until our friend rescued him. I do not know if this is true but is there any reason why a cats health would decline so quickly? Was this an abscess? I just wish I could change the past but I am glad he is in no more pain and he know what true love was.
