Cat Not Eating/Lethargic

Eyris · #1 12-22-2006, 11:51 AM

My 16 year old cat, Fuzzy, has been very lethargic and won't eat. I noticed the night before last that he was coughing up a hairball, but it was just yellow stomach-bile looking stuff.

He has been sleeping all day/night, only getting up to use the litterbox and then go back to sleeping. He is drinking water, but he won't eat the canned food. He has been getting skinny in his old age, and I'm worried if he doesn't eat soon he may be dying.

He hates the car/vet, so if he is just dying of old age, I'd hate to make his last moments be somewhere he hates and is scared of instead of his home.

Could he just have a stomach virus or something he will get over? Please help...I'm not sure what to do.

LuvMeTrue · #2 12-22-2006, 11:53 AM

bring the cat to the vet it could be something minor or it could be something serious. If it looks like he threw up bile i would have brought him to the vet then or the very next day just to make sure.

Ambieruns10 · #3 12-22-2006, 12:02 PM

Take him to the vet. You don't know whats wrong with him, it could be something simple.

I don't understand your reasoning though, for not taking him. If he is dying, he doesn't need to suffer. He might not be dying but could die if you don't take him.

Eyris · #4 12-22-2006, 12:09 PM

My last cat died in the car on the way to the vet because of stress. I just know how much he hates it.

LuvMeTrue · #5 12-22-2006, 12:17 PM

is there anyway you can have someone else drive while you hold him wrapped in a towel or a blanket that he is use to the smell of, or on ur lap that way he is comforted by you. I know when we bring our cats (they are young mind ya) we have them in a carrier but i tend to talk to them or have my hand near the door so they can see me and smel me as well i tend to put a towel down for them to lay on but it smells of us since it is one that has been used at least once jsut to help keep them calm. I know stress is a big thing that can kill cats but at the same time not feeling well and throwing up bile is stressful on the cat. If there is a way to help him even if it is just to easy the suffering isn't that better then watching him suffer this is just my opinon and since i am not an expert in any shape of form i can't tell you for sure what to do but i hope that you come up with something for both yours and his peace of mind since this has got to be tough on both of you. You and him are in my thoughts.

millie121 · #6 12-22-2006, 04:52 PM

There is a product called Feliway that might help you in this situation. It's a synthetic pheromone, that calms kitty. You would spray the carrier, or a towel if you're going to be the one holding kitty, about 10 minutes before putting your cat in. It really can do a lot to relieve anxiety.

Are there any vets in your area that do house calls? We're in the country, so there are a few vets that still do that sort of thing.

I'm sorry for your predicament, and I hope for a peaceful resolution.

Best of luck.

Vanilla_Rat · #7 12-22-2006, 05:54 PM

How is he doing? Have you taken him to the vet?

Eyris · #8 12-22-2006, 10:11 PM

I took him to the vet this afternoon. He was relatively calm on the car ride. The vet thinks that he has hypothyroid. At his age, they don't normally respond to treatment. I dished out the $80 for a fluid/injection treatment. He doesn't seem to be doing any better.
*sigh*

If he hasn't gotten worse, I'm supposed to take him in tomorrow for another treatment.

LuvMeTrue · #9 12-22-2006, 10:31 PM

some times it mite take a few treatments to respond. I know with one of my cats it took a few treatments when she had some type of infection in her paw.

mulder · #10 12-23-2006, 10:40 PM

best wishes for you over the holidays! i'll say a prayer

Eyris · #11 12-26-2006, 11:16 PM

We did a second treatment on the 23rd and started to feed him perscription food with a syringe.

By Christmas Eve night he was starting to eat dry food on his own. He's also been eating canned and the perscription food. His isn't lethargic anymore and seems like he is getting back to his normal self.

I don't want to get my hopes up too much...after everything the vet told us, but he seems to be getting better. Also, his eyes stopped weeping, so I feel like that's a good sign too.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Fuzzy is my first pet, I've had him for 16 years, since I was five. I was just really scared for him. Hopefully things will be looking up.

millie121 · #12 12-27-2006, 07:04 AM

I hope Fuzzy continues to do well with the treatments! Good Luck!

mulder · #13 12-27-2006, 11:03 AM

oh good, best wishes!

minorityslam · #14 03-30-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millie121


	There is a product called Feliway that might help you in this situation. It's a synthetic pheromone, that calms kitty. You would spray the carrier, or a towel if you're going to be the one holding kitty, about 10 minutes before putting your cat in. It really can do a lot to relieve anxiety. Are there any vets in your area that do house calls? We're in the country, so there are a few vets that still do that sort of thing. I'm sorry for your predicament, and I hope for a peaceful resolution. Best of luck.

Is there something similar for dogs as well?

millie121 · #15 03-30-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minorityslam


	Is there something similar for dogs as well?

You may do better starting a new thread if what I post isn't what you're after

There are canine pheromone sprays and plug-ins. In fact, one such product comes from the same manufacturer that produces Feliway. However, I have no personal experience with the product to support or refute their claims since I don't have a dog. I'd imagine that like Feliway, it works for some dogs and not others:

http://www.petcomfortzone.com/

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