Cat not eating and weak

My cat I had since 1988 just died in May now my new cat is showing the same symptoms. My new cat Zak is about 1 1/2 years old. He has been with me since early June, I got him from a cat shelter. He hasn't eaten anything for about a week now, hardly drinks any water, no bowel movements. He is very weak and when I hold him he feels like a sack of potatoes. His fur is not looking very good and his stomach is bloating out. If I have food out I can tell he wants to eat but it's like he can't. He chews on pieces of food but doesn't swallow it. I don't want to sit and watch him die like my last cat but I don't have a whole lot of money to spend at the vet. When I took my original cat to the vet I payed a considerable amount of money for them to tell me they can't help me and I need to go to a specialist. Can anyone tell me anything about what's wrong and what to do?

Get your cat to the vet NOW! Find a specialist in your area, call your vet and ask for a referral, but get this poor thing to a vet quickly! Please don't waste time- your cat could die. It is quite possible that if he hasn't eaten in a week it may be to late to help him unless you aggressively treat him now. Most vets are sympathetic enough to work with you on payments, but this cat needs a professional to help him!

I have no clue what is wrong, but I can tell you that cats can not handle not eating for this long a period without a strong risk of developing hepatic lipidosis....you must get your kittie to the vets asap as Hissy said. Whatever was initially wrong may not be so serious, but the not eating for almost a week is it's own serious problem.

I hope you'll post an update, and wish you and this young cat, all the best,

Originally posted by Pat & Alix
Whatever was initially wrong may not be so serious, but the not eating for almost a week is it's own serious problem.

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I agree. Please get kitty to the vet. It doesnt sound like he's going to make it unless you do

I just got back from the vet, this vet was atleast informative and gave me a diagnosis instead of rattling of a bunch of numbers on my voicemail. She says Zak has FIP and even with the best treatment she only gives a %25 chance of recovery. They did a belly tap and she says she's %100 sure it's FIP. They gave the cat some fluids and he is feeling much better now, probably better than I feel at the moment, he even ate some food a few minutes ago. He really loves that Cumberland Gap ham. I am going back to have him put to sleep tomorrow. This really sucks as my previous cat just died about 6 months ago. Thank you all for the replies.

I am so sorry to read this, I feared it was FIP when you posted the symptoms. It sounds like he is fully engaged in the disease as well. I am so sorry. You will need to do a full clean of your home, and throw out anything the cats used just to be safe. Let your home air dry after you scrub it down with bleach and hot water, and please don't introduce new cats for quite sometime- until the virus has had a chance to dissapate. Again, I am sorry this is in front of you now. Love your kitty up while you can-

This cat's life is lost because of the first vet I went too, if they would have even hinted at FIP I would have researched it(or have been informed about it by a responsible vet, like the one I went to today.) The only thing that place was straight with was money. I had never heard of FIP until today. I wouldn't have went out and got another cat so soon if I had known. I won't get another cat until I move out of this place. I don't want to take the risk. Zak's right here with me, he just lapped down some chili. I just took this picture it's hard to believe he's gonna be gone.

Oh he is beautiful! Love black cats

I'm so sorry for your news, Zak has a sweet, sweet face. I'm glad he's feeling better tonight and that you have this time to love him up,

I am so sorry about Zak. FIP is extremely difficult to positively diagnose until the late stages and your previous vet probably couldn't diagnose it. Give your baby loads of love tonight and know that he'll be waiting for you over the bridge.

Orion
I'm soooooooo sorry about your kittys. What a sad way to see them go and at a so very young age
But...my question to you (Hissy and MomofMany), is what exactly is FIP, and what can you do to prevent it from happening? What are some of the early symptoms?

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I lost a lovely little kitten on Nov. 1st due to this horrible disease. I try to console myself thinking that when I saw her at the rescue agency, it was meant to be because she was a sick kitty and I was the right owner to care for her.
I had no idea she was sick when I got her. But for some reason the way she looked so deeply into my eyes and called to me, I knew she had to come home with me. 5 months later, I held her in my arms while the vet put her to sleep forever. I thank God for placing her in my care for her short lifetime.
She was my very first cat, and I know I provided her with everything I could while she was here.

I know you have done the same.

Loubelia,

One of the frustrating aspects of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) is that it can sneak up on a cat owner before they know it. It is caused by a coronavirus, and it lowers the immune system, making the cat very susceptible to secondary infections and certain types of cancers. It is shed in the feces and symptoms are fever, lethargy, and weight loss as well as a poochy look to the cat when the fluid starts to build up under the cat's skin. A needle draw is necessary to drain the excess fluid. There is really no cure for it, it can be managed however with diet and veterinary intervention.

Originally posted by orion0117
I just got back from the vet, this vet was atleast informative and gave me a diagnosis instead of rattling of a bunch of numbers on my voicemail. She says Zak has FIP and even with the best treatment she only gives a %25 chance of recovery. They did a belly tap and she says she's %100 sure it's FIP. They gave the cat some fluids and he is feeling much better now, probably better than I feel at the moment, he even ate some food a few minutes ago. He really loves that Cumberland Gap ham. I am going back to have him put to sleep tomorrow. This really sucks as my previous cat just died about 6 months ago. Thank you all for the replies.

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I'm sorry, but I have to ask, how on earth did your vet "diagnose" FIP based only on exam and a fluid aspiration? Even under the most scrutinized situations, she would need to send the fluid off for a pathology to even come close to a conclusion, not to mention test for coronavirus (titer)

Do NOT base your actions on this alone, get a second opinion, this could be anything from internal infection, to hemorrhage, to heart disease to chyelothorax...nothing can be accurately diagnosed without further testing. FIP is difficult enough to diagnose, and MANY cats are diagnosed with FIP and don't even have the disease. Please, get a second opinion. I so find it hard to believe this vet diagnosed FIP simply on exam and a fluid aspiration, this is not enough to effectively diagnose FIP.................Traci

Less than a month ago, I lost my 6-month-old kitten, Savannah, to FIP. It is a heartbreaking disease, but informing yourself is key. As others have said, do *not* introduce another cat into your environment for at least a year.

Your cat has two options that I know of: 1) Prednisone (steroid) use can, in some cats, offer them a "remission" (not a genuine one) of their symptoms, allowing them up to several more years of a good life (though this works in about 5% of cats, or so I was told by one vet); 2) you can try a homeopathic method, which was introduced to me by a highly renowned homeopathic vet. (PM me if you want to know more about this route.)

Please give your baby tons of love.

Take care,

Jenk

My condolences. It is sick that there is no accountability... They should have found that your other cat had it.