10 year old cat - lethargic but eating

My ten year old cat, Charlie, has had a tough time beginning two weeks ago when we pulled up the carpet on the steps to the basement. It was his special place, although he also spends lots of time upstairs with us. He is typically pretty social.
About a week ago we noticed he wasn't coming out for meal times. On Monday we took him to our vet where a battery of tests and x rays were run, all showing nothing worrisome. They seemed comfortable with the explanation that he was showing upset because of having his special place taken away. We were glad for that news but stumped as to what to do for him.
We've had him on anti biotics, he's eagerly eaten tuna (but not his usual dry or wet food), he is drinking but I'm unsure of his litter box usage(with two cats it's difficult to tell). He has cried a few times after eating, as if it hurts his stomach. He has none of his usual energy back yet although I have seen slight improvement. It should be noted that we did have a gate preventing both cats and our daughter from getting into the stain for the steps, so we know he didn't get into anything poisonous. The third eyelid is not out (nor had it been through this entire episode). I have showed him he can go back into the basement but he doesn't for whatever reason (maybe the un carpeted texture or weakness from not eating much). I don't know what else to do for him, it's been a week and only slight improvement- any insight?

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear your kitty is having issues with his eating. Why was he on antibiotics, if you don't mind my asking? They can definitely impact a cat's appetite. 

One thing to note about cats - if they get into a phase of inappetance, they may need your intervention to get them out of it. Cats are just like that sometimes. I'm glad to hear he's eating tuna. When Sara got like that (and she wouldn't eat at ALL for a few days), I had to force feed her, and eventually, after that and some appetite stimulants, she started eating tuna again, and other people food. The patient coordinator at my vet's office gave me some Fancy Feast Appetizers (now Purely) and Broths to use as a "bridge" between human and cat food. Sure enough, after having that for a few days, she started eating cat food again.

Thanks for the reply - the vet prescribed the anti biotics as a precaution/anti inflammatory in case he began having complications from not eating. He's got a ten - day dose, of which we are on day six. He has a slight history of UTI's (about for years ago we thought we were going to lose him)so the vet isn't wanting us to go down that road again. He apparently peed a lot while he was at the vets but they felt he may have become constipated. The scans and x rays they did showed that he wasn't, however. Our litter boxes are being used but I'm not convinced it's by him - rather seems to me to be at least mostly from our other cat.

My first guess was going to be a UTI.  Is there a way to isolate him to check his urination habits or would that stress him out even more?  Is he pooping fine?  Since you mentioned he cried out, I'm also concerned about a blockage of some sort.  Did the vet get a urine sample and do a culture? 

If you have it, you can try running a feliway diffuser to see if that helps his stress over the carpet being pulled out.  It could also be a slight URI if he's stressed.

Thanks for the suggestion of the diffuser - will look into that. The vet did get a culture - no crystals at all. Slight bit of blood but they believed that to be due to him being blocked previously. They at dust believed him to be constipated but x rays showed he was clear. I myself haven't witnessed him use the litter box. I can try to separate the boxes, but not sure how he will react to that. I was able to get him to come out and be brushed today (he has always loved that), and he seemed a bit more "himself"after that. He has also stayed in a kitchen chair under the table today rather than hiding in our closet or under our bed. He got down from the chair and sought food for himself and ate the bit of tuna but not the wet food he is used to that I mixed with it. He has also been more vocal today, "taking"to me and his pupils seem normal, not dilated and starring of into space. Hopefully he is on the upward swing!

Since I know we all love our babies and like to fuss over them, here's Charlie. He's my handsome boy. The vet says he should do calendar work to start paying for his visits :-D

It sounds like he's depressed about the changes in his environment and is "grieving" the loss of the familiar.  If you still have the carpet, try to get a scrap for him as that will be comfortable and familiar for him.  Otherwise, I think it's just going to take a bit of time for him to adjust.  It's kind of like he's in a new place, but he's not.  Our kitties thrive on routine and familiarity of things.  When that changes even the littlest, they will stress out.  Keep an eye on him and make sure he's continuing to eat and try to monitor his litter box habits. 

Well I don't think today went as well as yesterday. Charlie spent much of the day in his corner in the closet. He did cone out on his own at dinner time but then did not eat hardly at all. I hate that cats do this up and down swing with our emotions. Looks like the vet will be getting another call in the morning

I would get him to the vet for a check up just to make sure nothing else is going on.  Have you tried plain meat baby food, turkey or chicken? What about some parmesan cheese (the stuff in the can) on wet food?

Of course I would be on high alert for a possible hidden uti since he has a history, it will often not be completely cured with one antibiotic regimen and needing a second.

If it is not this, I suspect early IBD going on.

I do not think it's depression.

Thanks for the suggestions- we will be calling the vet as soon as they open, if for nothing else, to tell them I don't believe we even HAVE a fill ten day dose of the antibiotics. I haven't been over - medicating, buy today is day seven and I doubt if we'll have enough for tomorrow. When he has had complications in the past he has always seemed to bounce back faster than this. Don't have any baby food but may try to get some today. Last night I was unexpectedly awake and noticed he was laying comfortably in the middle of the living room floor, much more like "himself". He then walked into the kitchen and drank water but didn't eat. They just love to keep us guessing!

We are devastated to learn that we are losing Charlie :-( at his follow up appointment the dr. Found a tumor, possibly two. He is anemic, would need a blood transfusion then surgery, both of which he had a very small chance of making it through. She suggested, as he is comfortable, to just let him be and that probably by Thursday he will be gone. Hubby had permission if he looks like he IS suffering to take him in after work tomorrow. It's just not fair - he's only ten and right now he looks tired but fine. a similar thing happened to my childhood cat when she was 14. We knew he was getting bad but were surprised to learn how fast and far things had progressed :'(

I am so very sorry for the news.

Oh my gosh, the worst news possible, I am so sorry for this, who ever thinks their 10 year old cat has no time left? This is awful. 

Tumor(s) where?

Wow, I can only imagine how shocked and devastated you are..........

Oh I am so sorry for the news you received. Did he receive a transfusion? Anemia can get bad quickly...Sending the strongest comfort vibes for your kitty.

He did not receive a transfusion - the vet seemed to think it would be more stressful than necessary. He slept all night on the bed with us, he purred, and bless him he even is trying to drink water. Hubby is on his way home to sleep, then we are going to take him in. I thought I could wait this out, but (selfishly) I don't think I can :'(

I seriously don't know how I can say goodbye to this face. ..

Oh my, what a beautiful little boy. I'm so sorry to hear the awful diagnosis. How is he feeling today, is he in pain?

He isn't in pain, he is sleeping in his latest preferred spot, our closet.

That is good that he is not in pain.