2 Of Our Cats Are Lethargic, Barely Eating, And Seem To Have Trouble Balancing

[SarahSoAwesome]

Our other 2 cats are fine. We treated them all for fleas about 2-3 weeks ago but the lethargy only really showed up like, yesterday morning in 2 of our 4 cats. Our neighbour also used the same brand on her cat, (Zodiac) and he's fine too. (I know Zodiac's not a very reputable brand, my mom insisted on getting it cause its cheaper, even though I told her we would get advantage next time we go by the vet's, she got the Zodiac anyways.)

The 2 sick cats have been eating a bunch of catnip over the past few days, as we brought home a bunch of dried branches of it and just sort of left it out for them. Only the 2 sick ones ate it. They're both lethargic, barely moving, and when they walk they seem like they're out of balance. They've eaten a bit of food since symptoms started but not much (yesterday morning was when I noticed something was probably wrong, about a day or so before then they were fine but started being a bit sluggish, I thought they were just high from catnip). Gums aren't pale or overly pink/red, 3rd eyelid isn't showing, breathing seems fine although a bit shallow. No vomiting or diarrhoea.

I haven't seen them use the bathroom at all yesterday or today but the day before, they did.
Could they have eaten so much catnip it caused a blockage? Or could there have been pesticides on it or something else wrong with the catnip? They are already improving since yesterday, yesterday they both had a fever, they felt very hot. Today they feel normal temperature, and they're a bit more active.

I'm going to take them to the vet but I just want to know what could possibly be wrong with them in the meantime. I do have activated charcoal powder lying around somewhere, could I try making them drink that with water and see if it helps? Thanks in advance!

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

I should add, the sick cats are 6 years old and 1 year old, both female, both fixed. There's nothing wrong with them externally.

 

[stephanietx]

I would get them to the vet for a checkup. It could just be an overdose of catnip or it could be a delayed reaction from the flea meds.

 

[Margret]

Activated charcoal is a good thought, if you suspect that they've eaten poison, but only immediately after they've eaten the poison. It does no good once the poison is in the bloodstream.

Where did you get the catnip?

When you take them in to the vet, take some of the 'nip along so it can be tested for poisons.

And finally, welcome to The Cat Site! You've found the best, largest, and most supportive community of cat lovers on the internet, and we hope you and your cats will continue to be members for many years to come.

Margret

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Activated charcoal is a good thought, if you suspect that they've eaten poison, but only immediately after they've eaten the poison. It does no good once the poison is in the bloodstream.

Where did you get the catnip?

When you take them in to the vet, take some of the 'nip along so it can be tested for poisons.

Margret

From a friend of ours, it grows in his yard, and he's given it to us before. But he has neighbours that have tried to poison his cats before, or so he's said.

 

[Margret]

From a friend of ours, it grows in his yard, and he's given it to us before. But he has neighbours that have tried to poison his cats before, or so he's said.

Ouch! Keep that 'nip away from all your cats and never accept any again! That's horrid.

Margret

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Update: I massaged their bellies a bit and they both farted. It stank like hell. Both of their bellies feel pretty bloated where their intestines are. So I'm leaning more towards a blockage or constipation.

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Ouch! Keep that 'nip away from all your cats and never accept any again! That's horrid.

Margret

Yeah I'm definately not going to be feeding them anymore catnip from him. It sucks because idk anyone else who grows catnip, but I guess it's common so it shouldnt be too hard to find a better source.

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Or I could start getting them catnip from the store again

 

[1 bruce 1]

Or I could start getting them catnip from the store again

Catnip isn't hard to grow and most cats love how fresh it is!
Hope they continue to improve a bit. When in doubt, give your vet a call..

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Update: I have an appointment for them tomorrow morning. They're still about the same as yesterday, maybe a bit of improvement. Here's hoping its nothing serious.

 

[vyger]

For future reference --- You can buy catnip in bulk on ebay. It's very reasonably priced and usually packaged in sealed, silvered zip lock bags.

By the way, they can smell it through the bags and if given the chance will rip it open. A hug with the front paws and a brisk rabbit kick with the back feet will empty a bag pretty fast. So you need to keep it in a glass container or someplace they can't get to. Maybe even the freezer.

 

[1 bruce 1]

Update: I have an appointment for them tomorrow morning. They're still about the same as yesterday, maybe a bit of improvement. Here's hoping its nothing serious.

Thank you for updating!! Please let us know what the vet says.

 

[Margret]

So you need to keep it in a glass container or someplace they can't get to. Maybe even the freezer.

I just keep Jasmine's bag of catnip in a drawer. And you'd better believe she's right there when I open that drawer, for any reason.

Thank you for updating!! Please let us know what the vet says.

Margret

 

[1 bruce 1]

@margaret, our dogs and cats alike know the sound of a freezer door opening. They know something good will happen soon.
Fridge door is mixed, but the sound of a ziplock creates a life threatening stampede.
House dogs know the sound of the bully stick cabinet.
Yet, the cats that know the freezer/fridge door from 12 miles away don't hear me haplessly yelling "GET OFF THE COUNTERS/TABLE/MY FACE" and the dogs that are happy to use my body as a dog bed don't hear my screaming "THAT'S MY PANCREAS."
I ask a dog "You wanna bath?" under my breath and they run slinking away.
"Wanna go to the vet?" I don't see them for 8 months.
I scream "OFF THE COUCH SO I CAN SLEEP" and they grin like "...SORRY, can't hear you."

I'm a sap. I didn't used to be a softie.

 

[Margret]

@margaret, our dogs and cats alike know the sound of a freezer door opening. They know something good will happen soon.
Fridge door is mixed, but the sound of a ziplock creates a life threatening stampede.
House dogs know the sound of the bully stick cabinet.
Yet, the cats that know the freezer/fridge door from 12 miles away don't hear me haplessly yelling "GET OFF THE COUNTERS/TABLE/MY FACE" and the dogs that are happy to use my body as a dog bed don't hear my screaming "THAT'S MY PANCREAS."
I ask a dog "You wanna bath?" under my breath and they run slinking away.
"Wanna go to the vet?" I don't see them for 8 months.
I scream "OFF THE COUCH SO I CAN SLEEP" and they grin like "...SORRY, can't hear you."

I'm a sap. I didn't used to be a softie.

Selective deafness. It isn't just pets; my Dad had it, too. By the end of his life he needed a hearing aid, but hated it - which, of course, had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he kept losing his hearing aid batteries.

Margret

 

[SarahSoAwesome]

Update: We went to the vet and they determined its not constipation. Unfortunately, they don't know whats wrong, as we couldn't afford to get blood work done. It would have been 150$ per cat for bloodwork, which, on top of the rest of the bill, would have been about 500-600$ which is my boyfriend's entire paycheque and then some. They gave them an appetite stimulant for now, but they still haven't eaten a lot (about half a can each of the royal canin gastrointestinal wet food is what they ate today). I'm gonna see if there's a vet around me that'll allow us to make payments, or see if this vet will do it if we give them something for collateral. I'm hoping and praying that they just caught a cold or flu.

 

[1 bruce 1]

Update: We went to the vet and they determined its not constipation. Unfortunately, they don't know whats wrong, as we couldn't afford to get blood work done. It would have been 150$ per cat for bloodwork, which, on top of the rest of the bill, would have been about 500-600$ which is my boyfriend's entire paycheque and then some. They gave them an appetite stimulant for now, but they still haven't eaten a lot (about half a can each of the royal canin gastrointestinal wet food is what they ate today). I'm gonna see if there's a vet around me that'll allow us to make payments, or see if this vet will do it if we give them something for collateral. I'm hoping and praying that they just caught a cold or flu.

Good idea on asking around on payments. Blood work might tell you what's going on so it can be treated quickly!
Furballsmom usually has a really long and detailed list of foods that can sometimes entice cats to eat, as well as some links on getting help for vet care.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi! I'm so sorry this is happening
I don't know where you're located, but in case either of these links has any help;

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life

Financial Aid for Pets

 

[Furballsmom]

Also;
Sometimes finger feeding is the only thing that works, either sitting on the floor with them and literally scooping a little food onto your finger, or gently tucking a little bit of food into their cheeks.

Try making this;
tent test for dehydration and home-made pedialyte recipe - The Daily Kitten

Also, try making one of these;
Kitten Glop Recipes - Supplementing Cats and Kittens with nutritious formula you make at home: presented by Bengal Cat breeder Foothill Felines. --This website has a number of kitten glop recipes, with ingredients that you may very well have in your house.

These can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave. Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.

• Chicken, beef or ham flavored baby food such as Gerber Stage 2 - make sure there is no garlic or onions in the ingredients

• Tuna and/or the juice, a low mercury/low/no sodium brand is called SafeCatch

• Salmon, mackerel

• Sardines (make sure there are no bones)

• boiled cut up chicken or turkey with no seasonings

• canned kitten food any brand - it's usually smelly. See if it's eaten on its own, then maybe mix it in or put on top

• Try mixing in Kitten Milk Replacer - there are recipes on the internet or store bought

• Fish, tuna or BBQ flavored canned wet food (I personally have never seen BBQ flavors, but...)

• Lickable cat treats or pouch treat 'gravy' poured over the food

• kitten glop (recipes in website link above)
• Bonito flakes
• fortiflora
• fish oil
• green beans, asparagus mushed up

• goat milk, or no lactose cow milk
• whole cooked eggs (the white must always be cooked) or raw egg yolk now and then
• broth with no salt and no garlic or onion or seasonings of any kind
• There are also commercial toppers, Applaws is a brand that can work well as a topper
  
• Some good treats would be freeze dried Purebites, Orijen, Meowtinis, Meowables

• There are also Lickimats that you could spread types of soft food onto, even plain unflavored yogurt, and even freeze it. Licking something can help a cat to feel better emotionally The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
• shredded cheddar cheese
• chamomile tea, made from the little bags only, a couple cooled teaspoons a couple times a day in water or food, can helpcalm a stressed cat