What's the matter with Merlin?

[Midnightrider]

My little black cat is 5 years old, there's a bully-boy ginger tom who walks across the fence in our garden, and Merlin always shoots through the catflap when he sees him. But this last week he seems to have done nothing but sleep, he missed a few meals, would only nip outside to do his business and come straight back in again. I bought him some prawns as a treat which he loves, he would eat them out of my hand, but not the few I put in his bowl. I bought him a new catnip toy which he played with for five minutes, then he was asleep again. I've tried to feel for lumps and found nothing, he doesn't 'cry' when I pick him up - it's almost like he's gone into 'hibernation' mode.

[rojash]

Check him over very carefully for lumps. If he got bitten he could well have an abscess. Cats tend to heal to quickly (on the surface) which seals in the bacteria from the bite and often results in abscess which may not be noticeable in the early stages.

[rojash]

Sorry, didn't read your entire post where you said you'd checked for lumps, but I really would check again very carefully. We have 5 "pet" cats and a colony of 15 semi-ferals, so I am speaking from experience. But if you can't find anything, then I think a visit to the vet is called for.

[LoftyLottie]

Obviously not well, and if this has been going on for a week I would take him to the vet. Not worth taking any chances. If he is sleeping a lot indicates he is not very well.

[Midnightrider]

The surgery is open until 9 tonight my husbnd has taken him. Fingers crossed

[LoftyLottie]

Let us know how he goes. Glad he is seeing the vet. It's a shame that animals can't let us know what is wrong. x

[Midnightrider]

He's been gone two hours now, hubby just phoned so I wouldn't worry when he came back without him, the vet is keeping him in to run some tests. Just been looking out for the pet insurane policy.Hubby said the vets was packed.

Well the vet said Merlin looks quite healthy, he's still grooming himself and although he's small he's still a good weight for his size, and he couldn't find any lumps.

[wolf63]

I hope that Merlin is feeling better in the morning. My Princess Merlin has a short fuse and has thumped her brother a few times. The vets are much better at finding hidden wounds. ;-)

[LoftyLottie]

Good news so far, waiting to hear the results x

[Midnightrider]

Update: not much to tell, still sleeping lots, hasn't eaten anything but had some water. He's had test for cat aids, diabetes and leukaemia, results tomorrow and Thursday. No lumps or bite marks found, just got to wait.

[LoftyLottie]

Will be keeping my fingers crossed for little Merlin x Let us know.