Please help!

[jmb1999]

So, I have a 14y/o cat, Maggie, who has stopped eating almost entirely.

She has been sneezing, coughing, limping (she always has limped), refusing food, and just been acting... well... dead.

I really don't know what to do, as I ABSOLUTELY can not afford a vet right now, and she is my best friend.

Please, any help would be appreciated. I have been able to get some baby food (gerber chicken) and chicken broth into her, but I need to know if it's just something like a cold or the flu or something very bad. I live in York County, Maine.

 

[laralove]

If she's refusing to eat, she needs to see a vet. You should hopefully be able to find one who will take CareCredit so you can make payments on the bill over time.

Is she using the litter box?

 

[jmb1999]

She's been too weak to go down to her litter box, and we have two dogs so we can't move it. She has been using the bath tub though.

 

[vball91]

She really needs to see a vet. Cats can't go long without eating. They are at risk of developing fatty liver disease.

Maybe some of the ideas in this thread will be able to help you.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/155462/cant-afford-a-vet-please-read

 

[cprcheetah]

You really need to find a way to get your cat to the vet, she sounds like there is something serious going on with her.  Please read this:http://www.thecatsite.com/t/155462/cant-afford-a-vet-please-read  Please find a way to get her to the vet ASAP.

 

[jmb1999]

I tried that, but there is really nothing we can do in the way of money right now.

 

[laralove]

I'm not sure how we can help you. She's suffering from a medical issue. We can't help with that. 

 

[jmb1999]

I know. I just want to know if there's anything I can do for her, which was the purpose of posting this.

 

[vball91]

Until you can get her to a vet, you can try steam to relieve her congestion. Put her in a steamy bathroom after a hot shower, supervised of course, for about 10-15 minutes. While this is not a cure by any means, it may help her feel a little better. You can also try syringe feeding her. However, I want to emphasize again that these are stop gap measures. She needs a vet more than anything else.

 

[alisa brown]

Hi, i just saw your post what is your cat doing now? How long since she has eaten?

 

[jmb1999]

AS of right now, she is at a vet (found a good, inexpensive one near Portland ME) and is under observation. It could be asthma, kidney failure, or infection. Hoping for the last one. I'll be able to take her home tomorrow, as long as she's okay. Love you Maggie!

 

[alisa brown]

Great let us know what it is and hopefully it will not be too costly.

 

[laralove]

So wonderful that you got her to a vet. Hopefully they're able to diagnose, treat, and get her well quickly!

 

[jmb1999]

So far no news from the vet, she could have asthma, kidney failure, or an infection at this point. They gave her antibiotics and she was a bit more energetic, so that's a good sign (I hope)

 

[poppysmummy]

Please let us know how she gets on!

 

[alisa brown]

I am sending good thoughts your way. I know how stressful it can be.

 

[jmb1999]

Unfortunately, Maggie had to be put down today. She was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was very old, and very sick, and she's got beautiful wings.

 

[laralove]

I'm so sorry, JMB. 

 

[jmb1999]

Me too. She was a good kitty.

 

[vball91]

I am so sorry. Maybe it will help you, if and when you feel up to it, to post a tribute to Maggie in the Crossing the Bridge forum. RIP sweet girl.