How can he get sick so quickly?
By Ritz100
@Ritz100 (1169)
Yecla, Spain
November 16, 2008 1:58pm CST
One of my cats went missing a couple of days ago, and yesterday whilst walking my dogs I heard a cat cry. He was lying under a bush, unable to stand up, so I quickly took the dogs home, fetched a basket, placed the cat in it and took him home. He was dehydrated, thin and weak. He has no visible injuries and cannot have been hit by a car as there is no road. He is spayed, so does not roam very far.
I have been dropper feeding him honey and water and today he is up and lapping, I just need to get some nutrition in him now. But I cant for the life of me work out what has caused this sudden collapse. He has been a very healthy cat up until now. Anyone experienced anything like this, can you give me some suggestions a to what it might have been?
3 people like this
8 responses
@mojcica (1511)
• Slovenia
16 Nov 08
Yes, my cat got fever once (actually every winter) and he didnt have any energy left, couldnt eat, coludnt even jump on a sofa. I took him to the vet and he gave him some vitamins shot and told me that cats can actually die of fever, not the fever but if not treated they will eventually die of hunger, exhaustion and dehydration. I would take your cat to the vet at least you'll know whats wrong and he can help him.
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
18 Nov 08
I had something similar once. I took the cat to a vet because he really looked bad. The vet found a tiny bite wound on him that I'd entirely missed. He gave him a drip to hydrate him and an antibiotic and the cat got well fast.
Is honey and water good for a sick animal? I've never heard of that before.
1 person likes this
@Ritz100 (1169)
• Yecla, Spain
19 Nov 08
Honey and water is good as an emergency rehydration method and gets some calories into them so they can start to heal. Honey is absorbed more easily than sugar products. Its not long term, its just a pick me up, he wouldnt lap you see, so I used a syringe. Hes doing quite well now, Ive had to force small bits of food in his mouth and he swallows, but when he tries to eat on his own, he doesnt seem to be able to pick up the food. I am still working with him.
@eztuner (450)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Ritz100 reading all the post you have had I certainly hope you have been able to take your kitty to the vet, because it can be so many things. A snakebite it will be very easy to detect because he will be licking the area. But also could be that since he was lost for a couple of days he had nothing to eat and cats can go on a liver failure as soon as in two days if not ingesting any food, and permanent liver damage can occur poisoning also damage the liver. Diabetes does not onset from one day to another, your cat first will have early sings like increased appetite, lot of thirst, and lost of weight but not from one day to the next in order for the disease to set takes some time.
I hope he is feeling better and your vet can offer a relief. Keep us informed about your kitty's health.
@Ritz100 (1169)
• Yecla, Spain
18 Nov 08
Thanks for your response, he is eating now, although only little bits at a time, and he is getting out of his basket to chose where he wants to lie, ie the sofa! His eyes are much better and his nose is dryer (not so watery). The vet gave him a vitamin jab and something thats supposed to help he re-hydrate, says to take him back in a week. Will let you all know how he is doing. Thanks very much.
@wittymomma (103)
• United States
16 Nov 08
Ok well I can not copy & paste (Which is REALLY Annoying) But could He have been bitten by a spider/snake or other bug? I am not sure what you have over on your side of the world but over here we have snakes that if they bite cats or anything for that matter.. could cause some of the symptoms you mentioned.
He may have been really lucky And didnt get the full bite or if he did it was venomous... or could have been a baby know what I mean?
I did find A few sites that suggest that could be the case but it is too long for me to type out lol.
Hope he feels better soon!!
1 person likes this
@Ritz100 (1169)
• Yecla, Spain
16 Nov 08
Hi wittymomma, thanks for this response. You may have a point. The land I live on is very wild and I have found snake skins here, they are adder skins. This could very well be the case. I will do some research, as have you, and see if I cant get a better idea of the problems. I will add that I have had two cats go missing completely since I moved here and they could very well have fallen foul to snakes and just be somewhere in all that wilderness, which I will not go through because of the snakes. Nice to see you around by the way.
1 person likes this
@wittymomma (103)
• United States
16 Nov 08
oh no! That must be so hard! I hate losing pets! So sad!!
I am glad you found him no matter what is wrong & I think he needs an extra loving hug & some tuna ;-)
Oh and I replied to your pm :-)
1 person likes this
@kitttenskysong (676)
• United States
17 Nov 08
i'd take him to the vet asap. If it is diabeties he needs to be on medicatition immediatly. I hope it isn't though.
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@littlebeansprout (187)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Awww...I'm sorry your cat doesn't feel well. Unfortunately, I'm not really a pet person. I've never owned a cat in my life.
I do hope he feels better, soon!~
1 person likes this
