Previously active cat suddenly won't/can't jump up

Ok, some of you may have seen my posts in the other thread about taking in a pregnant stray recently. I kept Mama isolated from my other kitty (Kitty, yes that's her name, long story) until she got the all-clear from the vet, and since then they've entirely avoided each other.

However, now Kitty suddenly won't jump up on the counter where her food bowl has always been kept. She's never had a problem before, and she's not old - only 4 years - so it's not an age issue. I saw her try to jump up a few days ago and not be able to, and since then she's not even tried. She just sits below it and meows pitifully that she can't reach her food.

I tried letting her cry for a while thinking she may just be freaked out from accidentally missing the jump before, and the food was a good motivator to make her get over it, but she truly can't jump. I saw her try to jump up onto the couch today - a much lower jump than the counter - and she did make it, but just barely and it seemed really difficult for her.

She's not exhibiting any other signs of pain or illness. I work from home so I know there hasn't been any incident between her and mama cat, but Kitty does go outside frequently (we have a dog door that she uses at will) so I can't rule out injury from some other cause. But like I said, she shows no other signs of pain and doesn't complain when I tested around her hips and back legs for pain spots.

I made a vet appointment for her on Thursday, but wondering if anyone here may have an idea as to what it may be? I've already been feeling terribly guilty for how miserable the new cat addition has made her, so of course I'm probably far more anxious about this than I need to be, but I really am concerned!

It sounds like she may have internal pain, and with cats, it can be very hard to detect. Good call with the vet visit. My cat is a bit of an older cat, but she has difficulty jumping up to places, and meows loudly for us to bring her up to her water and food. Is your cat overweight? That is the reasoning mine cannot jump...

Well I ended up taking her to the emergency vet the day before my vet appointment bc they couldn't fit us in sooner and I'm glad I did - she had a really high fever and they hospitalized her. she stayed overnight last night, they don't know what is causing the fever yet.

I hope she gets better today. Surely they are giving her an antibiotic.

thanks!! yes, they are giving her a broad spectrum.

I got an update today that her fever spiked overnight (it was 104 when I took her in and it spiked higher than that, so that's pretty scary!) but they got her through it and it's been steadily going down ever since. She's eating for them now and that's a great sign. They said they're monitoring her throughout the day and if the downward trend keeps going she should be able to go home with me tonight. fingers crossed!

I am SO GLAD she was there last night and that I didn't wait for today's appointment to take her in, she may not have made it through the spike without their help. 

lesson re-affirmed: you know your cat! if he/she is acting strangely, go to the vet. don't second guess yourself. 

Good for you! You did the right thing.

Glad to hear it. I was going to advise to take her to the vet, but which you did and can now rightfully feel happy about it. I wish all gets back to normal soon.

garnermeg said:

 
thanks!! yes, they are giving her a broad spectrum.

I got an update today that her fever spiked overnight (it was 104 when I took her in and it spiked higher than that, so that's pretty scary!) but they got her through it and it's been steadily going down ever since. She's eating for them now and that's a great sign. They said they're monitoring her throughout the day and if the downward trend keeps going she should be able to go home with me tonight. fingers crossed!

I am SO GLAD she was there last night and that I didn't wait for today's appointment to take her in, she may not have made it through the spike without their help. 

lesson re-affirmed: you know your cat! if he/she is acting strangely, go to the vet. don't second guess yourself. 

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So glad you got her in earlier!  Do they know what caused the fever?

nope, which is concerning. They suspect an infection or a virus, so either the virus is running its course or the antibiotics are working. i mean, if it goes back up again then we'll have to figure out what's going on but if it responds to treatment and stays down then i guess all's well that ends well?