If you've been going to your vet for 10 years, I'll bet he'll (or she'll) work with you to get Mitchell in sooner than Saturday. Maybe you can drop him off for the day and then pick him up after school/work. S/He may even be willing to stay late or meet you at the clinic to pick Mitchell up.
I would call your vet asap an let them know what his symptoms are and ask them if they think it's something that can wait until Saturday. It sounds like it could be serious to me and I wouldn't mess around. Call the e-vet too and ask. It doesn't hurt and it's free. The swollen nose does not sound good.
I second the notion that if you've been going to this vet for ten years with that many animals, and describe these symptoms, you'll get in today - or they'll give you a really good reason why it's not necessary.
And, I know it's easy for me to say, I'd really suggest cutting a class or something, or getting someone else to take your baby in - if nothing else, you may have a hard time forgiving yourself if this is something serious that is time-sensitive. Does the practice have hours where you can drop off before the vet comes in? Mine opens at 7:00 am, with the vet arriving at 9:00 am - with mine, if a person has to, they can drop off at 7:00 and wait for the vet to call back.
I'm sorry about your e-vet experience - I've only gone once, and mine was excellent - made me happy to know I had immediate back-up care available after hours and on holidays.
I took little Mitchell in today at 8:30am. He had a fever of 104. The vet examined him and gave him two shots. He gave me some antibiotics to take home. He instructed me to give him the antibiotics twice a day for the next 7 days. However, he did mention if he does not improve in 48 hours to give him a call and bring him in for blood work. Vet says he doesnt seem look tooo bad. So it may not be FIP, but as we already know, diagnosing FIP is difficult. Maybe I just freaked out and thought the worst! Either way I hope my Mitchell doesn't have it
I have hope though, because he slept in my arms all night, licking me as he would in the past. He woke up this morning more alert. Walked to the bathroom in my house with me, drank water and ate his breakfast. He also played with me and his brothers for the first time in 1 week and half.
He said he definitely has an infection. It might have been caused when he was neutered. I got him neutered at the Humane Society, at the same time he was administered his shots. So it may have been something that happened there. My vet didn't really say what infection it was. He just told me to watch him closely for the next 48 hours for improvement. If none, then he will be going in for a full examination, blood work etc.
I'm so glad you were able to get in and I hope he continues to get better and better - and that you're able to get some rest yourself; I'll bet anything the worry over Mitchell was keeping you up.
Let's hope for the best - the internet can be a great friend, but sometimes it can scare us to death when we're looking up symptoms!
Oh good! Sounds like the shots have already started helping him to feel better! All of those behaviors are definite signs Mitchell is feeling better. I know you'll do a good job of watching him over the weekend. Hope he continues to improve!
Happy to say Mitchell is all better now! He is back to being the kitty he was when he arrived at my house 2 months ago. He is playing, running, meowing and barely sleeping! YAY!