my sweet love is not feeling well - post vet update included

[fizzgig]

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2013, 08:14 PM - Edit history (1)

sweetie will be 16 sometime late spring or early summer and has always been strong and healthy. a few days ago, dad called and said she hadn't been feeling well - she's not eating much, she's vomiting more than normal (she's a binge and purger if we don't take the morning food away) and generally lethargic. she's drinking plenty of water and is still using the box, so that's something.

i went to visit last night and she just curled up on the couch with us while we ate dinner and watched tv.

i brought her home as a wee kitten in late 97 and love her like i have never loved anyone before.

the vet couldn't get me in before work today, so i'm taking her in tomorrow afternoon. i'm hoping it's something minor because i am not ready for anything more.

update: just got back from the vet who said she's a bit jaundiced and has a high heart rate, so they're running full blood work. we also have to get a urine sample, of course she didn't have to pee there, so i'm hanging out for a bit to see if i can get it rather than my dad or sister having to. they said to feed her whatever she is willing to eat, she's eaten a bit of tuna and a bit of wet food and she hasn't vomited it back up (yet), so i'm keeping my fingers crossed.

thank you for all your good thoughts.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. You can talk freely about her in this group.

*Everybody* here understands.

[fizzgig]

2. thanks, stinky

she is my one in a million. i didn't take her when i moved out, but our bond has remained. i could talk all day about how much i love her.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I *so* get that.

I lost my own "Liddle Buddy" not very long ago. She was actually Sparkly's cat, but in her later years she was mostly mine. She had a nice, long run. 16 years. To some, she was just your common, basic American gray tabby. To me she was . . . . . My Liddle Buddy.

[Phentex]

4. I hope it's minor too!

[fizzgig]

5. thank you

dad said she ate a bit this morning and went after the leftover gravy in the food can, i'm taking that as a positive.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. My cat was vomiting a lot

She went to the vet. The vet felt her tummy and said it was "mushy". They did an x-ray and it turned out she had a massive hairball! She was vomiting because no food could get past the hairball. The vet gave her an enema, which she did NOT appreciate. She passed the hairball and was fine after a couple of days but gave me the stink eye for a while. The vet said do not feed them hairball formula pet food though. She said it has too much fiber.

[fizzgig]

7. i wouldn't be surprised if it were a hairball

damn long haired cats

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Let's all hope it is minor!

Keep us informed after she goes to the vet. Age 16 is an old age for a cat, but I have had some longer than that without much problem. Just give her whatever she really loves to eat to tempt her. Often, once they do start eating again, they are fine. We all have times when we just don't feel good.....let's hope that's all it is.

Sending love to your sweetie.

[Silver Gaia]

9. One of my cats lived to be 22 years old.

So, take heart, it could very well be nothing major.

My favorite dog (not counting present ones) lived to be 18, too, and he was not a little dog--he was a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix. I have been blessed with long-lived companions.

Sending your sweetie some love and some comfort to you. Yes, we all understand this love. It is the most truly unconditional love most of us will ever experience, and those of us who choose to share our lives with these beautiful creatures are fortunate to know them in this way.

[livetohike]

10. Sending positive vibes that your kitty is doing better

and the vet visit goes well .

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. Yes, it's important to keep her eating

When my cat was sick and would eat nothing else, she would lick baby food meat from a spoon.

[fizzgig]

12. everything came back up right before i left

i hope we can find something she can keep down

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. Does she seem to be having normal bowel movements?

If she has a big hairball that won't pass it will make her constipated. She may be straining because the stool is very hard, but she may also have a more liquid stool because water builds up in the intestine. The liquid stool slips by the blockage and may look like the cat has diarrhea. Let the vet know if there seem to be any problems with her BMs. She may need an enema like my kitty had.

Besides the baby food meat, you might want to pick up some kitten formula. There are also recipes online for making your own. Any way you can get some protein in her that will stay down is important. Cats really need their protein.