Sick Kitten

[wednes]

Clarence seems to be very sick. She has not been eating and has mostly just been laying around since the move. I expected both cats to take some time to adjust, but she seems to be losing wieght and keeps throwing up white or yellow foamy stuff in tiny amounts all over the place.

I can't really afford to take her to the vet, but I will if this keeps up. I just didn't want to spend my whole disability allotment on a vet bill.

Anyone know what might be causing this? Is it just stress of moving or could it be something more serious? How long should I wait before I take her to the vet? What can I do for her in the meantime? I'm giving her tuna in small amounts, which she seems to be eating a bit of. Other than that I don't know what to do for her.

Comments

[locakitty.livejournal.com]

Is she still drinking water?
Was she lethargic before the move?
Maybe calling the humane society, they can give you the name of a low cost vet or take care of her themselves for very low cost. How often is she vomiting?

[wednes.livejournal.com]

She is still drinking water.

She did not appear to be lethargic before the move. But to be honest, I was pretty preoccupied. She seemed fine though.

That's a good idea, I will phone them first thing in the morning. It was really only since yesterday that she has slowed down a lot. Before it was just the...she looked like she was going to hack up a hairball but it was just foam. She does that 1-3 times a day I guess.

[locakitty.livejournal.com]

:(
It could very well just be a hairball blocking the way. Maybe some petromalt or something? I think petroleum jelly works, too. Sorry about kitty being sick. Poor thing.

[everythingtold.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about the poor kitty! That's terrible! I guess part of it is the stress of the move - I've heard that cats are quite stuck in their ways. I don't know if she acted like this the first time you moved or not. I'm sorry.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

They acted weird during the last move, but they had also just been spayed. I can tell you for sure that I will be a fucking basket case if...you know. But I'm going to call HVHS tomorrow and see what they have to say. She might need something as simple as laxative for hairballs or something.

Thank you, of course, for your good wishes.

[pyrafire.livejournal.com]

She might need something as simple as laxative for hairballs or something.

I just spoke with someone yesterday whose cat was throwing up and no one could tell her what was wrong with him. She gave him something to breakup the hairballs on a hunch and he was fine after that. Obviously it could be something else, but it might just be that.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks, man.

[groovesinorbit]

It's hard to tell. It could just be stress from the move, but it could be more serious. She could have eaten something bad for her, or have an intestinal virus, or something else.

Have you taken her temperature? If it's over 103, she should be seen by a vet pretty much immediately. Normal's 101-102.

If she isn't drinking water, she'll get dehydrated. You can add water to her food, and that'll help, if she'll eat.

Is she having diarrhea?

Does it hurt her if you touch her tummy. Does she seem to be in pain?

If she has any of those other symptoms, with or without the fever, I'd get her to the vet.

I'd also suggest chicken or turkey baby food, instead of the tuna. It's a more balanced food (less salt mainly), easy on the tummy, and kitties usually love it.

Hope Clarence's feeling better soon, and you don't have a hefty vet bill. : )

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. Her temp is fine and she does not appear to be in any pain when walking or when touched. So I'm going to call the humane society tomorrow and see what they think.

Since eating a bit of tuna, she is already sitting up more and has come out from hiding. I hadn't thought about the salt in tuna, they just love it so much. But I think I'll ask the HS people about that too. I am really careful about not letting them have "people food" with that one exception.

[(Anonymous)]

Try adding some sugar to their water. My cat was having the same problem today and shes fine now. Good luck. I hope your kitty is okay.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Sugar? Hmmm...interesting.

Thanks, anonymous stranger.

[groovesinorbit]

That sounds encouraging! One of our vets told me about the tuna, mainly not to give it too often or if there's stomach trouble. I try not to give our kitties much people food either. They definitely get tuna treats occasionally, cuz they do love it, too. (and there was the one kitty we had who loved raw veggies ...)

Sounds like Clarence is coming around, though. I'll keep my fingers crossed for her.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

If my neighbor continues not to password protect her isp, I'll keep everyone posted. ;-)

My cable/i-net is not to be installed until the 9th.

*shudder*

[groovesinorbit]

*crosses more fingers* ; )

[(Anonymous)]

The salt is good for her (in the tuna) because it will force her to drink water and keep her hydrated.

Also, I read you were going to get an aloe plant. Have you done this? If so, not good, aloe plants are harmful to cats. I'd check for any possible sources of poisoning. And one last thought, make sure she is using her litterbox. It could be a UTI. Hope Mz. C. gets well soon.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I do not have an aloe at present. I did have two large ones when I got these cats. They were destroyed by them in a matter of weeks ;-}

[gifgal.livejournal.com]

ive no clue what to offer for advice, however i hope the lil kitty gets better soon! i wonder if they had a friend at the old place, and are just a litle extra homesick?

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

That sucks dude. All I can say is to try and wait it out.

[sudrin.livejournal.com]

Wow. I don't know anything about cats, but I hope kitty gets better soon.

[madush69.livejournal.com]

I sure hope she gets better. I like your kitties. Well, I like all kitties, but you know. Anyway, the suggestions above seem to be very good. I have none to add, other than keep us informed on Clarence's progress.

I'm off to work. You take care.

[princezna.livejournal.com]

I hope your kitty feels better soon! Maybe try to feed her some garlic?