My beloved cat has been struck ill

My cat is a very old man. He's 13 and is normally very active and happy. Recently however, he has not been nearly as active as a few days ago, sitting on my kitchen table for about three days now, without getting up. He eats and drinks less every day, and has not used the litterbox at all in that time. Sadly a trip to the vet is out of the question, as my cat despises the vet and the member of my household who pays the vet bills refuses to take him. Does anyone know anything I could do to try and help him?

There's not really anything you can do at home if you don't know what's wrong. The fact that he's not going to the bathroom is VERY alarming since male cats can get urinary blockages that are an emergency. Really he needs to see a vet without delay. Has he been vomiting at all?

No he has not vomited at all. I'm going to once again try to get him to the vet.

This is a seriously urgent matter.  13 is not really all that old these days for a cat as food and care in general has gotten much better in recent years. Ours is 14-1/2 and going very strong.  

It's imperative he be seen by a vet, asap.  Whomever  the responsible party is for the care of this cat is being horribly cruel by refusing to allow it to have medical assistance.  Cats that don't eat are likely to develop liver problems quickly and once that happens, it's a slide to bigger problems.  He could have a urinary blockage, as already mentioned, or a myriad of other illnesses.  Dental problems can cause this type of behavior also.  It becomes difficult for them to eat from the pain.  This was the first sign with our older male that something was wrong and it turned out he had 3 teeth which needed to be extracted.

Try calling around to local vets, shelters and rescue organizations to see if anyone has a lower cost place to take him to.  Or, try making an arrangement with your personal vet to pay off the bill over time.  I don't know how old you are, but if old enough to have credit cards there is one called Care Credit, which will allow you to pay off the bill over time with little or not interest depending on the amount of the bill.

Try to get him eating.  You can buy regular, plain baby food with no onions or garlic - like, just plain chicken.  Cats LOVE this stuff, and if you warm it a little bit and put it on your finger to let him eat off of, perhaps you can get his interest and appetite up.  Or, perhaps try poaching a plain chicken breast and shredding it up finely.

EDIT: He needs fluids also if not urinating.  You may have to use a syringe to get water into him.

Thank you for the advice. I'm still trying yo get him to the vet but until then I'll try you're advice thank you!

I'm so sorry about your situation! 

This sounds urgent. It's really important to get him to the vet ASAP. Look around for lower costing places you could take him. While you're waiting, I have a suggestion for eating: Get some chicken (turkey, ham, etc), and put it right in front of him. Make sure it doesn't have any onion or anything in, because as you probably know, onion is poisonous to cats. For water, yeah. You might need a syringe.

Also, does he still purr? If so, another bad sign. Cats purr to themselves to comfort themselves if they're ill.

I'm not an expert, but I hope I helped. Praying for your cat! 

I agree with others that he needs to see a vet now & 13 is hardly old for a cat in this day & age.  Here, our animal control for the county offers vet services at lower prices for people who live in the county.  The city humane society provides services for low income folks but maybe not for this type of emergency. I would call every vet in your area to find the lowest cost and/or payment plans, as well.  This is an emergency (not using the litter box for three days) & a pox on the person who will not pay for his care. 

Ashen said:

My cat is a very old man. He's 13 and is normally very active and happy. Recently however, he has not been nearly as active as a few days ago, sitting on my kitchen table for about three days now, without getting up. He eats and drinks less every day, and has not used the litterbox at all in that time. Sadly a trip to the vet is out of the question, as my cat despises the vet and the member of my household who pays the vet bills refuses to take him. Does anyone know anything I could do to try and help him?

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You've been given excellent advice and I'm not going to re-state everything i'm just going to emphasize  the urgency.  Your cat is at risk of dying. Your cat is suffering.  Even if the person who pays the bills doesn't want to pay for treatment, then at least they can pay to have your cat humanely euthanized.  Letting your cat suffer like this, and probably die, is not humane.  I realize that sounds harsh, but the upside is it isn't too late to reverse course and do the right thing.  Your cat may not like the vet but that is not a good enough reason to deny treatment.

Just an update. I'm sorry for the confusion I just noticed the typo My Simba is actually 16, and I did manage to get him to the vet. It sadly does not look good. They said there's nothing they can really do to help him and hes not in pain. They think this might be just because of old age, and that he will most likely quietly pass away during sleep He has been purring and the vets said that we just have to wait and see if he gets better. I love him and always will so I pray he gets better. Thank you all for your help and support, I'm going to tryband do all I can for him.

I am very sorry you are losing him!  I still don't think 16 is old these days, many are living to 20 -22.  Did you have any blood/urine  work done to see what is wrong with him.  He may have a bladder or sugar problem which could be fixed.  I disagree with the vet, if he is not using the little box he must be in discomfort of some sort.  Cats are very good at hiding pain.  If you truly love him I would have him put to sleep at the first sign of discomfort.  If he is showing it, he is really in pain.

Ashen said:

Just an update. I'm sorry for the confusion I just noticed the typo My Simba is actually 16, and I did manage to get him to the vet. It sadly does not look good. They said there's nothing they can really do to help him and hes not in pain. They think this might be just because of old age, and that he will most likely quietly pass away during sleep He has been purring and the vets said that we just have to wait and see if he gets better. I love him and always will so I pray he gets better. Thank you all for your help and support, I'm going to tryband do all I can for him.

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Very sorry to hear this news.  Being 16 puts it a bit more in perspective.  

I'm sure you'll care for him the best you are able at this sad time.  I agree, that if he seems to be suffering it is better to have the vet let him go than have him in pain and slowly dying.

If and when the time does come, we have a forum here where you can post about your loss.  Perhaps that may help heal you.  Many here have been through this, and can offer emotional support to you.

All my best.

Thank you all I really apreciate it. I havent left his side and im not planning to anytime soon. I want to however post a picture of him.

This is breaking my heart! He looks sad I know your vet said nothing could be done, but were any tests performed? He must be in some sort of pain or discomfort, it even shows on his face. I agree with the others that when the time comes, it is best to end his suffering, than to wait for it to end naturally. I had to endure this last year & it was very painful, but I know I made the right decision. Hugs & good vibes to you both. 

Thank you for caring. However its not that easy its not just me here and I have to wait for others to get home.It breaks my heart seeing him like this as well, just a few days ago he was so happy following me around, playing, and everything was fine. Its all so sudden and I will assure you however that Ill make sure the best happens for him. I truly love him.

His position in the picture is exactly what they show as a suffering/in pain cat looks like, how they will lay. 

The sudden way this came about, and the fact he is not urinating tells me it is likely either a blockage/crystals or bladder/urinary infection.

He will not get through this without meds, and can die, to be perfectly blunt about it.

Aside from begging and pleading with whoever you are hoping will pay for him to get help, you can get on the phone and find a rescue who will help too.

It doesn't mean free, but when someone contacts me and says what is going on with their cat but has no way to get help/meds, I will have them take the cat to my vet I use with my rescue group, and is discounted, and allow them to pay me back later.

Surprisingly enough, I've never had anyone not pay me back, as they are so gratefuhl for the help when it was badly needed.

There are also good samaritan funds at some vets.

But you won't know unless you start reaching out and ask for help.

There are alot more compassionate people out there than you think.

He needs help ASAP though, I can't tell you enough. I am NOT one to race to the vet easily either.

Just saying.......

My poor Simba the vets aren't sure but have sucpicions it might be Leukemia or some form of cancer. Unlessy he quickly recovers he will be put to sleep and if he is I'd be crushed to see him go. Please I ask please pray for him that he will get better. I don't know what I would do without him.

So he went to a vet?

What did they do for him? Test him for anything?

Very sorry. That's a tough spot to be in. Prayers Simbas last days are full of love and free of pain. [emoji]128546[/emoji]

Yes he did eventually get to the vet and I'm sorry I don't know the exact details of what they tested him for but we essentially had him tested for everything we could afford.

Please listen to Catwoman707.  He could have a bladder infection or something else treatable which would mean a few more years with him.  If he was fine a few days ago he may just have a short term problem. You didn't answer about the blood/urine test.  I think a urine test would at least tell you about his urinary tract and would be less expensive than the full workup. Catwoman will know better, but this may be the cause of all of his symptoms.  If the vets are not allowed to do any tests & just look at him; that is why they are saying there is nothing they can do. .  I know you are in a tight spot with others but I would have begged, borrowed or stolen the money if it could have saved my Rizzo.  I would get on the internet & call every vet in your area.  Someone may be willing to help for a reduced fee or a payment plan.  If you can't find anyone or are unable to convince the person who controls the money to pay for treatment, please take him to be put to sleep.  Your certainly don't want him to die in pain.

I know we are really pushing you but your kitty does look like he is in pain.  I don't know how old you are but please impress on your house mates how important this care is to your cat.

Good luck!