Pepper has been a little quiet the last couple of days, but still eating/drinking/eliminating and playing for brief periods.
When I got home this evening though, she wasn't in the window meowing. She's holed up under the hearth (she emerged briefly). She isn't eating or drinking.
Her nose is wet/cold. Her eyes seem a little dull. No energy.
She is up-to-date on all shots. Strictly inside.
When do I call the vet? What should I do? I want to hold her and love her, but she just wants to be alone.
[ November 21, 2004, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: Shan ]
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
(((Pepper)))
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
My husband is a veterinary technician (when he's not an assistant to a CPA) and has 2 questions: Is she old, and is she spayed? She could be pregnant or just older, in which case she needs a check up.
If there's no vomiting or diarrhea, it depends on how long she hasn't been eating or drinking. If she stops eating and drinking for 3 days, starts losing weight, or starts having vomiting/diarrhea, take her in. If she's on dry food, try offering wet food, and if that doesn't help, try heating wet food a little before offering it. (Those are both to tempt Pepper to eat.) If she just wants to be alone, keep an eye on her from a distance, and check on her once in a while, but let her do what she wants unless things change. If you get really worried, go ahead and call your vet; it'll make you feel better if nothing else. (((hugs)))
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
She's 3 and was brought home spade from the animal shelter at 6 mos old.
She's really not wanting people around right now, too. I brought her some water in case. Her breathing looks labored.
I guess we'll go in to the vet in the a.m.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Let us know what the vet says.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Has she been drinking and peeing a lot lately? How likely would diabetes be this early? Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
She crept out from her hidey-hole and hit the litterbox and then lapped up the warm water in her dry food. Her breathing seems more relaxed. She is curled up in hiding again. I padded her hidey-hole with a blanket and her favorite toy. Maybe just a call to the vet and not a trip after all . . . .
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Do you have other cats in the house Shan?
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
What did the vet say?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Well, I took Pepper in to the vet at 11:00 this morning. (Thank goodness I have understanding bosses.)
$160.00 later, here is the - partial - scoop:
Pepper was quite dehydrated. She has a fever. Her intestines and stomache are very unhappy, but this is not blockage nor just a case of "gas" - however she is bloating from whatever is going on.
Immediate treatment included:
Rehydration Antibiotics administered via the needle And blood tests.
I'll egt results tomorrow.
The vet told me to tempt her taste buds with tuna fish water and perhaps soft foods. She won't touch food, but I did get some tuna fish water down her. She like s it best with brewer's yeast.
So, she actually snuggled up to me after her horrifying experience, poor bugger.
I got her home and cozy in time to get a call from the school, and now I am sick cat watching and on concussion/seizure watch for Nathan. (It's been a long day.)
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Shan, sweetie, I have it on good authority that cats can sometimes be highly tempted by canned babyfood meats.
Good luck! Lots of good thoughts and wishes headed your way.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Is Nathan okay?
Sounds like a hell of a day. I'm glad that you decided to take Pepper in to the vet. Let us know when you hear back about the blood tests.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Nathan and Pepper are lucky to have you.
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
(((Shan, Nathan & Pepper)))
Do you think she may have eaten something toxic? Did the vet mention that possibility?
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
About the babyfood meats, just make sure there is no onion in it--onion is good for humans' immune systems, but bad for cats'. That caution aside, yes, cats will usually slurp that stuff right up even if they don't want anything else.
Good vibes going out to you, your son, and your feline.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Thanks for the hugs and thougts and support.
Nathan is fine. A knot on his head, but no lingering effects or seizures. (Phew)
Pepper is perking up a wee bit. I am doing the "please kitty just eat a little, drink a little" game, and am learning how to give antibiotics to a kitty that doesn't want to take them.
Her blood test came back with liver, kidney function fine. However, she has a very elevated white blood count. I asked if she could have gotten into something bad (like a poisonous spider - my ex had to make an emergency run last week to take care of a hobo spider - nasty, poisonous creature) and who knows - maybe she got into another . . . sigh. The only way to know on a long-hair kitty is if the flesh at the area of the bite starts sloughing off
So, this will be interesting to try and keep her drinking/eating. She's a finicky thing. But it's nice to hear her purr again.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Pepper is experiencing the same problems again. She has been throwing up for the last 24 hours (it's now just bile), has diarrhea, smells sick, her hair is doing that sick kitty thing, rapid breathing.
The vet opens at 8 a.m. Off we go, but I don't think she'll be coming back home.
How do you help little ones say goodbye? Nathan will not be home before Sat. evening. Do I clean everything up and just have a good cry with him when he gets here? Do I get him early and take him with me in case, so he can say goodbye?
*is crying*
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Don't give up on Pepper just yet. The only life threatening part you've described so far is the dehydration. You can give subcutaneous fluids every day or so to combat this until the antibiotics have time to take effect. Your vet can teach you how. I did this with Brando and he got better to live for years longer.
<<<<Shan>>>> I hope you can save Pepper. Let us know how it goes.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I agree with Tatiana.
I've seen kitties & dogs bounce back when they certainly looked like death was knocking.
Good luck! (((Pepper)))
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Calm down Shan - take a breath. Nothing says the situation is terminal quite yet.
Wait until the vet has had a chance to take a look and then figure out what comes next.
-Trevor
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
*fingers crossed
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
((((hugs)))) Losing a kitty can be very hard, but learning to deal with loss is one of the most important parts of childhood.
However, I agree-- your kitty can be just fine even after something like this. Subcutaneous fluids aren't hard to give; I have also given fluids by mouth with a tiny syringe that I squirted down the throat. (That's more involved and has to be done on a regular schedule.) I hope everything is okay!
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
quote:case of "gas"
When I was a kid our family cat had a habit of passing gas whenever I would try to pick it up. Nasty stuff, kitty poots.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Oh, I hope everything is okay. I'll be thinking of you today.
If the worst does happen, I wouldn't clean everything up before Nathan gets home. When our dog passed away one of the healing things for my kids was to see his toys, etc. and eventually help clean them up when we were ready. They also got to each pick a small toy to keep in their rooms as a remembrance.
space opera
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Any word yet on Pepper?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*relief*
Pepper is bouncing back. It's not as bad as last time where she had a massive infection, high fever, dehydration, etc.
It was a very messy day, though, with Pepper getting rid of whatever was wrong out both ends.
(blech)
She's keeping her limited watery dinner down so far. Exhibits interest in more food (I'm not that stupid . . . ) but she'll be spending the night in the bathroom so whatever mess there is will be limited to one area.
The vet agrees that as long as she holds her own right now, there's not much more I can do other than do what I can to keep fluids down her.
*is keeping fingers crossed*
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Glad to hear hope (and Pepper) are still alive.
-Trevor
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I would keep her with me and not worry about the mess, same as with a sick child. I would want her to feel loved to help her recover. I would be afraid if I shut her alone in the bathroom she would feel like she had been banished to a cold hard place. At least I hope you will provide a warm soft bed for her to lie on. <<<<<Pepper>>>>>
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good luck, Shan! *hugs*
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Good luck Shan, I hope the little guy bounces back.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Tatiana - Pepper is very loved and cared for, with all the creature comforts including lots of company. Since I rent, I cannot afford to have her puking and pooping all over every square inch of my home. It stains. At least the bathroom has linoleom and is easy to clean. It also has her water, her special wet food, her blanket, her litter box, and some privacy - which the vet also recommends for her since she is high strung and is easily irritated by anyone other than me right now.
______________________________
Thanks again, folks, for the well-wishes and thoughts. You'd think I'd be used to sick creatures by this point! Nathan certainly kept me on my toes as a wee thing, and still occasionally does . . . ah weelll - with age goes lowered stamina . . .
[ November 21, 2004, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Shan ]
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Shan, I can tell she is well cared for and greatly loved. Good luck with everything!
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Feel better soon Pepper!
space opera
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Shan, you are holding up just awesome. Big hugs for you and a careful pat to Pepper. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Thanks, Sara.
Pepper is a bit happier today, although she continues to be rather messy. (euuwwwww)Long hair cats aren't pretty when they make nasty messes. Thank heavens for diaper wipes.
She has spent a little bit of time out of the bathroom on my lap while I work, but as soon as she gets that "I'm ready to let it all loose" look, she gets put back in the bathroom for a while. (sigh)
When Nathan had tummy flu as a baby and toddler, we just stayed in the bathroom in warm baths. So easy to clean up and soothing. I don't think Pepper would appreciate a soothing, warm bath, though . . . Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Psst, Sara...did you pay attention to Pepper's body language first?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)