Fever support

I have a sick kitty. He has been seen by the vet and was diagnosed with a fever of unknown origin. The vet took X-rays and said he is healthy and he's not concerned. He gave my cat an antibiotic injection and an anti inflammatory. When my cat came home yesterday he was acting much more normal, eating and drinking and purring. Last night he became lethargic and hot again. Today he has been sleeping most of the day but did manage to get around and eat a bit. Now he is resting, but keeps shifting positions. He's streatched out and showing his tummy, but shifts around a lot. He is not huddled up or hiding. Could this be from the fever? How long does it take for antibiotics to start working and does his behavior sound like he's painful? He's 7 years old and has never been ill. He's an indoor kitty, but his brothers go outside. Thanks!

I ended up giving him some pain medication last night so he could sleep soundly. He did calm a bit. He didn't sleep with me like he normally does. He was looking out the window this morning and is cuddling with me now, but is back to switching positions constantly. He's most comfortable spread out completely on his back, belly up. He won't purr for me. I'm at a loss what is going on with him. I would like to think his sleeping position is a happy one, but this isn't normal for him at all. Any ideas on what might be going on?

kitty5 said:

The vet took X-rays....gave my cat an antibiotic injection and an anti inflammatory...........

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A couple of things in there raise red flags for me......

First, I do not understand the rationale/basis for using radiographs in an attempt to diagnose a fever.....were you given an explanation?

Two, there is one very commonly prescribed "injectible antibiotic" that should never have any anti-inflammatory prescribed with it.

So, a few questions for you to open this up some more:

1. You indicated he was sick....what were the symptoms you were seeing that prompted the vet visit?
2.  What other diagnostic testing was done?
3. What was his temperature when he was examined?
4. What is the name of the injected antibiotic?
5. What is the name of the anti-inflammatory....was it injected or given orally....do you know the strength and the amount?
6. What is the name of the "pain medication" you gave last night....what is its strength and how much did you give....was this prescribed at that Vet visit...how often is it to be used?
7. What symptoms are you associating with your assumption that he is in pain?
8. It could also help to know where (approximately) you're located.

And, just as a FYI 'capsule'....."anti-inflammatories" and cats just do not go well together IF those anti-inflammatories are NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. The use of NSAIDs in us humans is commonplace and generally 'safe'......for cats, the opposite is true. Cats do not have the particular liver enzymes that are required to metabolize NSAIDs, so they get into the blood, circulate and then it is the kidneys that must deal with them....and, these substances damage/destroy kidney cells/tissue (which, btw, is permanent damage, the kidneys not being able to regenerate cells)

OK.......let's see where this leads.

My husband brought the cat to the vet so I only have bits of information. I plan to call on Tuesday when they open again for a better understanding and possible recheck. The cat was initially lethargic and hot ears/paws so I suspected fever. As I understand, the vet took x-rays to determine what type of antibiotics to give him. He gave him the injectiable when he saw his lungs were clear and heart sounded normal. I'm not sure what the anti inflammatory was. I'll ask hubby if he has any paperwork. I gave him tramadol 1/4 of a pill because he seemed painful when he was trying to sleep. It did help settle him.

My cat has returned to normal except that he cannot sleep without moving every 40 seconds to a minuet. He either streatches, twitches or completely moves positions. He's most comfortable streatched out as long as possible on his back. He does have noticeable noisy breathing when he's awake and sleeping, but he's always made noises like this. Could he have congestion or something blocking his airways? He doesn't seem distressed, but I can tell he's tired from not being able to sleep deeply.

His temp was 104 at the vet visit and I'm in Southern Oregon