Should I Take Lilith to the Vet Ahead of Schedule?

Okay, backstory.

I have had Lilith since December, adopted from shelter.  She is now 16 months old.  Had her checked out immediately, she got a round of antibiotics at that time, just to make sure she didn't have Kennel Cough, as I noticed she was sneezing a bit.  I used Revolution for three months, just to make sure any earmites were gone.  Healthy kitty, very active, very attention seeking.  Never had so much as a hairball!

Sunday I finally broke down and rescued a semi-feral 4 month old male, Ozzie.  He had been socialized by a lady,  and I took him home for a trial period.  He and Lily hit it off immediately, and I could not quarantine him, as they loved to be near each other.  He had an awful cold, runny nose, rough breathing, but clear eyes. I knew he had fleas, so both got a dose of Revolution, and I took him to the Vet the next day.

They gave him a medicine to get rid of the fleas immediately, a de-wormer (they said he probably had them, as his belly was a little swollen), and Amoxocillin, 5cc 2x day.  

As it is almost inevitable that he will pass the virus on to Lilith, both cats have an appointment to see the Vet on August 8.  He is looking better, and has lots of play in him---but Lilith is a little off.  

Now, just having that little kitten around (I am gone 11 hours out of the day) has made her much calmer, and a lot less vocal.  She even lets him play with her best toys, and loves to follow him around.  However, she is a little too calm, maybe even lethargic, and is off her food.  She is making these sort of retching motions, like she wants to vomit, but nothing comes out.  She still lets the little one jump all over her and play, but mostly she watches--when I have her alone (he is generally confined to the basement unless supervised by me so far), I try to engage her is some of her favorite toys, like the Cat Dancer which normally drives her wild, and she quickly loses interest.  Her breathing sounds fine, and though she occasionally sneezed, her nose is not congested.

Do you think I should get her to the Vet sooner, or do you think it would be okay to wait another 10 days?

If she isn't eating try some tuna or really stinky food.

I would try to get her to eat by doing steam baths. Run your shower as hot as it will go and sit with her in closed bathroom and breathe for 15 minutes.

This helps break up mucus that is keeping her from smelling her food.

How is her pee n pooping? How is her face? Any dehydration or anything noticeable difference?

You can ring your vet and find out if they want to see her sooner

Thanks, I will try that.  There doesn't seem to be any congestion yet.  She is going normally, both urine and feces look okay.  I did not have a fecal sample for Osgood, I am planning to bring one for each next time.  What would I be looking for in her face?  Also, I am not sure how to spot dehydration.

Update--

Just called the Vet's office, they will have the Vet call me.

Sorry for the delay in answering, been a heck of a few days with my own cat. 

Dehydration is checked by the neck and gums. 

The neck-the skin where they get scruffed- pick it up and see how fast it returns. if it snaps back in place-hydration is good. if it makes a tent then need fluids. you can syringe feed water to help or the vet can do sub fluids which is a simple thing of adding some saline solution in that pocket on the back of the neck. it doesn't hurt them and will help feel better.

the other place to check-gums. touch the gums and if it is slimy wet-thats what you want-same as people. if you feel tacky sticky then they will need fluid therapy. 

If the cat needs this long term they can send you home with the tools to do this but this is usually for a really bad upper respiratory or kidney disease issues. This is starting to be more well known to help the cat feel better. Just like when we get dehydrated from illness-we also feel better when stay hydrated.

Thank you, so much, Foxxycat, I did not know how to check for dehydration.!

I did have a cat once that needed this treatment, she has the overactive thyroid.

Update on Lilith...we went to the vet, the symptoms seemed to indicate a sore throat, and her temperature was somewhat elevated, so the Vet issued antibiotics for her, as well.  We will just wait and watch.  

She seems a little better today, a little more "chipper", but very quiet, and still not such a great appetite.  I stopped at Petsmart and got a new toy (of course Osgood commandeered that), and got some of those pouches of Fancy Feast broth to entice her to eat more, and perhaps the soft liquid will be more soothing.  Basically like getting ice cream for us people.  I love my little Lilith, and Osgood has made her happy (and he is so sweet!), so nothing is too good for her.  Normally she loved the Blue Buffalo canned food, so maybe I can mix the broth stuff with it.

Wow, I am tempted to tell my friends that their "free kitten" has so far cost me almost $400!    

You can add hot water to the wet food and mash it with a fork. Make it like a slurry if you will. My Angel Floey loved her fancy feast classics slurry.

What did they give for antibiotics? Make sure that you feed first before giving antibiotics if its take home medicine.

She was given Clindacycin to be taken for 14 days.  A clear liquid, so I shouldn't have pink stains all over the place like with Osgood.  She is actually kind of normal tonight, playing around with the kitten.  She does like that broth, but you are right, I need to mash everything together next time.  Osgood, on the other hand, has no problems eating whatever is put in front of him.

I was able to get a fecal for him,(caught him in the act)  and took it in during her appointment,  Hopefully I will have a sample from her when i take Ozzie for his appointment on the 8th.  Rather backwards, but it is the only way I can be sure I have "the straight poop", so to speak!

At least I have some peace of mind that it is nothing more serious, such as heart or anything.