My sick buddy needs your help

Fred is an 9yr old tabby usually quite active. He began vomiting Sunday afternoon about 2 hrs after feeding, he would eat again shortly after vomiting and again vomit 2 hrs later. This continued through the night into the next morning. He did have a gag reflex later Monday night but nothing in it not even bile. Now today he has used his box but has not eaten or drank anything, just lies in the bathroom against the tub(cool) in the dark, very lethargic compared to his usual self. He has come out to get some love'n and voice his thoughts but goes right back to the bathroom.
I've also noticed he hasn't thrown a hairball in awhile, which he does on occasion, so I'm thinking he has one stuck. Is it possible to give him Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate to easy his tummy and perhaps help pass what's stuck. TIA. Bob

I would not give a cat any human medication I know some versions of Kaopectate is toxic to cats. You really should get him to a vet. when you said he used a little box did he go poo or pee? 

Both, stool looks drier than usual but I use clumping litter and that could have dried it some

Unfortunately poor Fred needs to see the vet.  That much vomiting always calls for a vet visit, especially when followed by loss of appetite and lethargy.  He might have eaten something he shouldn't, there might be something wrong with the food, he might have some underlying health issue....You need a vet to sort all of these things out.   Also, don't give him any medication made for humans without a vet's okay.  Some are toxic and will only make him sicker than he is already.

Is there an emergency vet available?  I think he needs to go sooner, rather than later.  If you can't get him in until morning, at least try to keep him hydrated by syringing water into his mouth.  Syringes are available at pharmacies.  Right now, with that much vomiting and his refusal to drink, there is a real danger of him being dehydrated.

It's also important to know that cats should not go more than two days without eating as they can develop hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease.  This will complicate matters even more, so it is essential you get Fred to the vet as soon as you can.

I'm sorry you're joining us under such circumstances.  Fingers crossed that Fred recovers quickly!       

I would like to take him to the vet but I have been unemployed for awhile and dealing with my own medical issues have sapped me financially. Why I'm trying home care, but I'm quite worried about him and if no change by tomorrow afternoon I will beg,borrow, steal to get him in.

Thank you for confirming not to use human meds. It was something I read online last night and I was questioning it, another reason I joined this great forum. Thanks again and like I mentioned I'm going to try getting him in the best I can.

@catwoman707  your guidance would be appreciated 

i can appreciate the financial issues.  There are some resources out there for low/no cost vet care.   The article below gives some helpful tips.
[article="32915"]No Money For Vet Care How To Find Help And Save Your Cats Life  [/article]
If you are in the U.S. one or more of the following might also be helpful.

VCA Animal Hospitals.  They are located in locations around the country and offer a free first exam.  It is pretty basic, but you would at least get some idea of what's going on.  http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/offer

The Humane Society of the United States:  http://www.humanesociety.org/animal...ry_care.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/    Has a list of national resources as well as resources broken down by state.

Prince Chunk Foundation: Provides help with food and vet care.   856-302-6373  http://www.princechunkfoundation.org/veterinary-care-assistance.php

Best Friends  Provides help with vet care:   http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets

The Pet Fund:  Provides help with vet care:   http://thepetfund.com/   

Red Rover:  Provides small grants for vet care:    https://redrover.org/      https://redrover.org/redrover-relief-grants

Modest needs:  Funds a wide variety of small emergency needs,including vet care:    https://www.modestneeds.org/    This takes awhile to set up so would be for longer term care.

Ask the vet about a payment plan.  If he or she declines, CareCap is an organization that works with vets to try and set up a plan:    http://www.carecap.com/thepetfund/for-pet-owners

Go Fund Me:  a personal request for help:  https://www.gofundme.com/lp/welcome-4?pc=fb_pp_ga_120115_atconq_w22&gclid=CN6YqfrP2coCFcwWHwodg4YOsA

CareCredit:  A health care credit card that covers vet   http://www.carecredit.com/faqs/basics/     

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It sounds like you might need to force feed Fred if you can't get to the vet right away.    Try some warm mashed boiled chicken and rice and put his bowl under his nose while he sleeps.  Sometimes cats eat automatically when they wake up and the chicken and rice will be gentle on his tummy.  You can also offer him warm chicken or turkey baby food (no spices), cheese, scrambled eggs or tuna fish.  If he won't eat out of a bowl, try feeding him by hand.  If he won't eat by hand, you will need to liquify the food and feed him with a syringe.  

Online advice can be dangerous so please don't give your cat anything without consulting with a qualified vet first. Many Human medicines (prescription and OTC) are toxic to cats.

Please see this for suggsetions on how to afford vet cae: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/no-money-for-vet-care-how-to-find-help-and-save-your-cats-life

I just checked on him, he swished his tail and came out to the living room, took a sniff at the widow and gagged up just a little(tspn) bile. I'll try the chicken and rice thing here in a bit but looks like I'll be selling my soul to take him to the vet tomorrow. There is a vet (Banfield) that the 1st visit is a dollar but that's just for a routine check up, I'll check first thing in the morning if they'll do a payment plan if more services are needed.

Bob Barrett said:

I just checked on him, he swished his tail and came out to the living room, took a sniff at the widow and gagged up just a little(tspn) bile. I'll try the chicken and rice thing here in a bit but looks like I'll be selling my soul to take him to the vet tomorrow. There is a vet (Banfield) that the 1st visit is a dollar but that's just for a routine check up, I'll check first thing in the morning if they'll do a payment plan if more services are needed.

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If Banfield won't take a payment plan (and from what I've heard, they usually don't) check out CareCap. I've never used this but it sounds like they actually work with the vet to set up the payment plan.    Here's a link to their FAQ:  http://carecap.com/consumer/faq/

Thank you I will check that out. I was also going to check the place he was taken as a kitten(though its been 8yrs since the saw him) they were very good and specialize in cats, just not sure if they do payments. I've got a lot of calling to do in the morning [emoji]128527[/emoji] Thank you all for the advice and links, I will post what transpires with our visit, wherever that is.

I'll be looking for an update!  Hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.  

Bob Barrett said:

Thank you I will check that out. I was also going to check the place he was taken as a kitten(though its been 8yrs since the saw him) they were very good and specialize in cats, just not sure if they do payments. I've got a lot of calling to do in the morning [emoji]128527[/emoji] Thank you all for the advice and links, I will post what transpires with our visit, wherever that is.

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I'm on a board conference call right now but would like to give my thoughts as well. Hope you will stay tuned!

I'm all ears and eyes catwoman707

Bob Barrett said:

Thank you I will check that out. I was also going to check the place he was taken as a kitten(though its been 8yrs since the saw him) they were very good and specialize in cats, just not sure if they do payments. I've got a lot of calling to do in the morning [emoji]128527[/emoji] Thank you all for the advice and links, I will post what transpires with our visit, wherever that is.

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Gosh, just got done with that conference meeting!

First thing I want to ask is if he has eaten or drank anything recently.

catwoman707 said:

Gosh, just got done with that conference meeting!



First thing I want to ask is if he has eaten or drank anything recently.

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No he hasn't, not for 24 hrs. I was gone for a few hrs today for a Dr appt and the food and water hadn't been touched.

In fact about a half hour ago he came out sat in the window for a few minutes and fetched again producing nothing. The retches are hard on him too, before he finished he starts to reel like he's about to pass out

In fact about a half hour ago he came out sat in the window for a few minutes and fetched again producing nothing. The retches are hard on him too, before he finished he starts to reel like he's about to pass out

In fact about a half hour ago he came out sat in the window for a few minutes and fetched again producing nothing. The retches are hard on him too, before he finished he starts to reel like he's about to pass out.