Worried Cat Owner.. Looking For Advice.

[FurMonster]

Hi, i have an 18 month old furry bundle of joy. Who recently gave me cause for concern. Im a major worrier.. And unsure if im completely over-reacting! Looking for a bit of reassurance.

On monday 31st december i took my little man to the vets because he'd hurt his paw, and it kept weeping.. I believe it was an absess. The morning before i was due to take him i noticed a rather large pile of vomit waiting for me when i got up. Ive never known him to be sick before, but he does have a tendancy to gobble his food down.. When we got to the vet i mentioned about the vomit as well as treating his paw.. She gave him an antibiotic jab as well as a 'spot on' worming solution incase thats what caused him to vomit.. Not long after we got home he vomited again, this time it was a thick clear mucus like substance. The nextday he seemed rather lathargic and wouldnt touch his food which is not like him at all.. So i managed to tempt him with chicken.. And slowly built up to his regular food again.. Now hes eating normal and goes out occasionally but not as much as he use to.. (use to be all the time) and he hardly purs anymore.. Its only been 4 days since the shot.. Is this normal? The vet did say the antibiotic lasts about 14 days..

So basically, hes eating, and going out(just not as much) still happy to play when i tease him with his ropes.. Has no problem jumping around and running upstairs.. But hes not purring as much and still seems a little down..

Just need to know if im just being extremely paranoid or if i should see the vet again.. Cos my little fur monster means the world to me and i cant stand the thought of him being in pain.. But i cant go to the vet with every little thing i notice because its expensive!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[boxtops]

I'd say it was a one-off, he might have eaten something, anything. If it went on like that for more than a couple of days, then I'd be worried. Our Rover threw up constantly before his kidney disease was diagnosed - this is nothing like that. If the cats have been in the garden eating grass, they sometimes vomit white mucuosy stuff, and if you look closely you see a little blade of grass in it.

[Mosaic]

If he is eating something, not throwing everything up and reacting to play, he is fine. He will purr again soon.

[Prudie]

Like humans, antibiotics take a while to get rid of an infection, they are not an overnight miracle cure. I'd just think he was still getting over it . I wouldn't worry unless he seems to go downhill and then Id go back to the vets.

[annieigma]

Cats are really hardy fellows, mine had cancer of the ears for years but still lead a good life. He would fight, and lose, stay in his bed for three days, not eat or drink, then come out good as new, and go and look for more trouble!
don't panic too much, watch the eyes, if they cloud over, then back to the vets.

[FurMonster]

Thanks.. Hes definately picked up today.. But everything niggles at me! The one thing that bothers me is that he refuses to use a litter tray regardless of how long hes indoors so i cant check his business.. Hes eating fine and responding to play.. My other half says not to worry but hes the first cat ive ever owned so i dont really know whats normal and what isnt.. Really appreciating some reassurance though :)

[sue11]

I agree with the other answers given here, also i have heard that cats use grass as a form of medicine and vomit it up which could tie in with him not feeling on top form with his poorly foot.
I do not know if you have had a cat before, but if not you will soon learn they are masters at making us humans dance to their tune. Change your status from owner to slave and you will get an idea of what I am talking about!
I would not put it past him to be playing on your emotions, you have been giving him lots of extra attention and treats in the form of chicken, why would he want to give it up by showing you how quickly he has improved? I have experience of this with one of my cats who played up a limp for all it was worth, but once at the vets, suddenly was 100% improved. The vet dismissed my apologies and explained it was not uncommon for them to lay it on a bit thick!
Try not too worry too much, it sounds like he is on the mend.
All the best
Sue

[Hopkirk]

He's probably just feeling a bit under the weather (don't we all at times)

He will be fine.

Ours is a semi long hair, so he gets hairball in his stomach quite a bit.
Clearing up cat vomit is therefore a regular pastime for me.

[FurMonster]

Its not the vomit thats concerning me as he hasnt done that since tuesday.. Its the lack of purring and not wanting out as much thats got me.. He really does have my wrapped around his poorly paw!.. Which looks like its almost completely healed now! Thank you everyone.. I feel much better now :)

[wolf63]

I have an asthmatic cat and every time he is ill I go into full panic mode. Then he feels better and I am still freaking out.

I hope that this is just a blip in his health. Frankie gobbles his food too - and sometimes pukes it back up.

I know that a trip to the vet is pretty terrifying for a cat - we go every four weeks to get a steroid jab. After we get home Frankie goes around the house howling for hours. He is usually a bit quiet for a couple of days after having the jab.

They are complicated but fascinating animals. They can also be annoying and demanding. In the end they always get what they want and we are left feeling annoyed that an animal about 1/20th of our size has, yet again, defeated our (supposedly) higher intelligence.

[whiskeryron]

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[sheribee]

Hi, just wanted to post a quick response x I have studied a degree in animal management, volunteered at an animal sanctuary for 4 yrs and also a year work exp. at a vets. Please do not bathe your cats paw in plain tap water, as this can introduce infection, use cooled boiled water with a little salt to bathe if needed, don't allow the cat to lick the paw.
Just continue to tempt with yummy foods, and keep an eye on her really, with an abscess she will feel yuck and be unlike herself, so please do not be too concerned, though any major change in behaviour should be reported to your vet.
Also, cats purring does not always indicate happiness so do not worry if she isn't purring, many cats pure for comfort, or are in pain or anxious, not just to exhibit pleasure so don't worry about this too much either x
I have 4 cats and one or other is always doing something to make me get my bet books out to double check stuff x bless them :)

[Canary42]

He's only 3 days into a 14 day programme so he's bound to be a bit under the weather still, and the lethargy could be a side effect of the antibiotic, certainly nothing to get anxious about.

[sheribee]

Just purely in that tap water can harbour a wealth of bacteria, and flushing a wound with this will introduce these bacteria deep into an open wound, increasing the risk of a further secondary infection developing.
Boiling and cooling the water first will kill these nasty bacteria, making the water safe to use on a wound. Xx

[lankeela]

Do you know how he hurt his paw? I wonder if he was in a scrap with another cat or got picked on and hurt by one. This may have stressed him and made him sick and also reluctant to go out too much in case its out there waiting to get him again.

[FurMonster]

He fights.. A lot. Hes definatly the kitty of the block.. Call him bruiser.. Hes always coming back with a scratch or two.. He does seem much much better today.. Which is a huge relief..Ive had a week off work and done nothing because i wanted to keep an eye on him.. Really am a slave to my pretty kitty boy :)

[ladybirder]

Has he been 'done'?

[boxtops]

You really do have no need to check his poo, Furmonster - my three poo very rarely in their litter tray, they go in the garden (or in other unknown places). Our Black Spot has been on antibiotics after an abscess, he was very down for 5 days but he's back to normal now. One thing - if he fights, do watch out for injuries - cat scratches or a lost claw stuck in your cat can turn to abscesses very quickly (cats seem prone to this sort of thing), so if so he'll need antibiotics again. Several of my cats have had this happen over the years - they are right as rain after treatment.

[FurMonster]

He will not go in his litter box at all.. He hasnt since he started going outside.. I have no idea where he goes..