Okay, I done a search in this forum looking for an answer before I posted this. I need to know what kind of symptoms there might be for a bowel obstruction, like a hair ball? I think I already have a good idea about a urinary track issue, ?, but never had experience with a bowel problem.
My 3-year old - who is very verbal - is complaining - seemingly ?pain? ... I first noticed a "problem" when I saw him gazing into the litter pan looking as if he was trying to decide to use it, he decided against it, and began grooming his abdomen, and being verbal about it. He was complaining when I was touching him on his back by his tail, but he let me rub his tummy - all the while being verbal - not growling, just his purr talk, but very pathetic purr talk. I'm sure my blood pressure went up a few degrees.
(BTW - he's the one that does the grooming on the two other - (medium length fur) cats - so, for two years I've had no problems with hair balls from him - either vomit or bowel movements.)
When the other two cats came near him while he was attending his lower tummy, near his urethra, he growled at them.
I currently have him secluded in a room, with the litter, water & food so I can observe his bowel or pee - no vomit, he's eating, he's purring, no fever that I can tell, eyes are bright, just seems to be uncomfortable moving around ... haven't noticed him grooming himself. He is currently allowing me to massage his lower tummy and his back - and seems to be comfortable.
So, it's Friday, now 12.00 p.m., and I'm looking at the possibility of, perhaps, having a sick cat over the weekend - but, before I try to get him into the vets today, I'd like some ideas about symptoms that I might look for - especially to be able to tell the doctor when I call.
I trying to be "balanced" about my actions here - usually, I'm running them off to the vets at any little sign of problems, only to find that they are just fine -- yet, I remember the story about the little boy who cried wolf, the one time he really needed help - he didn't get it - --- I don't want to make THAT mistake, either.
Thanks, ahead of time, for any considerations concerning my question.
g
My 3-year old - who is very verbal - is complaining - seemingly ?pain? ... I first noticed a "problem" when I saw him gazing into the litter pan looking as if he was trying to decide to use it, he decided against it, and began grooming his abdomen, and being verbal about it. He was complaining when I was touching him on his back by his tail, but he let me rub his tummy - all the while being verbal - not growling, just his purr talk, but very pathetic purr talk. I'm sure my blood pressure went up a few degrees.
(BTW - he's the one that does the grooming on the two other - (medium length fur) cats - so, for two years I've had no problems with hair balls from him - either vomit or bowel movements.)
When the other two cats came near him while he was attending his lower tummy, near his urethra, he growled at them.
I currently have him secluded in a room, with the litter, water & food so I can observe his bowel or pee - no vomit, he's eating, he's purring, no fever that I can tell, eyes are bright, just seems to be uncomfortable moving around ... haven't noticed him grooming himself. He is currently allowing me to massage his lower tummy and his back - and seems to be comfortable.
So, it's Friday, now 12.00 p.m., and I'm looking at the possibility of, perhaps, having a sick cat over the weekend - but, before I try to get him into the vets today, I'd like some ideas about symptoms that I might look for - especially to be able to tell the doctor when I call.
I trying to be "balanced" about my actions here - usually, I'm running them off to the vets at any little sign of problems, only to find that they are just fine -- yet, I remember the story about the little boy who cried wolf, the one time he really needed help - he didn't get it - --- I don't want to make THAT mistake, either.
Thanks, ahead of time, for any considerations concerning my question.
g