- Joined
- Feb 25, 2019
- Messages
- 15
- Purraise
- 9
Hi all, I got my Salem like 4 years ago from an animal shelter. He was sick though, and if I remember correctly, was treated for protozoa. (Don't quote me on that though.) So he has a history of diarrhea. I don't know if that's related to what's going on with him now.
Fast forward to this last year, and I have noticed things that I'm just now putting together unfortunately. I feel dumb for just realizing this now. Like I hurt him or something.
- Sometimes diarrhea.
- I have caught him straining to have a poop.
- Someone (I have 2 cats) has been pooping outside one of the cat boxes. (I keep the boxes clean, in a low stress area, 3 boxes)
- Sometimes he goes in a box and comes right back out and/or goes into a different one.
- Lots of gurgley stomach noises.
- Weight loss that even the vet noticed during his last check up. She told us to just keep an eye on him. If it keeps up we need to relook at the situation she said...well I think it's getting worse.
- In general, I hear him in the cat box scrapping a lot. I don't know if he actually is trying to go or what.
And, of course, I'm worried sick about him. He has helped my mental health SO much since my 20 year old (Bear) died in 2019. AND, of course, I just had to look at what Google had to say....
Can untreated IBD cause cancer...?
Because I'm pretty sure Bear's adopted brother, Rocko, who died on me when he was 11 in (I think) 2011 had IBD. And he had to cross the rainbow bridge because of his colon cancer...
Salem's and Rocko's symptoms are strikingly similar.
Although Salem...
- plays/runs around like a chicken with his head cut off almost everyday
- is eating fine
I mean he's acting normally. When he was sick, initially, he wasn't running around and playing. That's how I knew something was up besides the diarrhea. So I don't think he's in immediate danger...?
I'm unemployed. I am going to put applications in everyday until I get a job so I can pay for his vet care.
Should I be worried? Regardless, I know he needs help. I just don't want him to be suffering.
Fast forward to this last year, and I have noticed things that I'm just now putting together unfortunately. I feel dumb for just realizing this now. Like I hurt him or something.
- Sometimes diarrhea.
- I have caught him straining to have a poop.
- Someone (I have 2 cats) has been pooping outside one of the cat boxes. (I keep the boxes clean, in a low stress area, 3 boxes)
- Sometimes he goes in a box and comes right back out and/or goes into a different one.
- Lots of gurgley stomach noises.
- Weight loss that even the vet noticed during his last check up. She told us to just keep an eye on him. If it keeps up we need to relook at the situation she said...well I think it's getting worse.
- In general, I hear him in the cat box scrapping a lot. I don't know if he actually is trying to go or what.
And, of course, I'm worried sick about him. He has helped my mental health SO much since my 20 year old (Bear) died in 2019. AND, of course, I just had to look at what Google had to say....
Can untreated IBD cause cancer...?
Because I'm pretty sure Bear's adopted brother, Rocko, who died on me when he was 11 in (I think) 2011 had IBD. And he had to cross the rainbow bridge because of his colon cancer...
Salem's and Rocko's symptoms are strikingly similar.
Although Salem...
- plays/runs around like a chicken with his head cut off almost everyday
- is eating fine
I mean he's acting normally. When he was sick, initially, he wasn't running around and playing. That's how I knew something was up besides the diarrhea. So I don't think he's in immediate danger...?
I'm unemployed. I am going to put applications in everyday until I get a job so I can pay for his vet care.
Should I be worried? Regardless, I know he needs help. I just don't want him to be suffering.