Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 5 months ago a stray cat who looked no older than 7 months old wandered over to our house. After feeding it for a week or so, it looked as if he chose to stay. I took him to the vet clinic I work at where he was tested negative for FeLV, and vaccinated for that as well as distemper and rabies. He was also neutered at this time. He's done great the past few months, plumping up quite well compared to the scrawny thing he showed up as. Been feeding him dry food as well as moist; never was picky; would eat anything. However, for the past month or so we've noticed other cat visitors coming in to our garage (my dad had cut a hole in the back door for him to wander in and out of)who seemed to be eating his food. We noticed him getting thin so decided to feed him when he was around and not when other cats could sneak in; thinking that may have been the problem. However he still isn't eating. His behavior is otherwise normal; very affectionate and seems more interested in being pet than eating. At first, he always seems tempted by whatever food I'm offering him (like the deli sliced ham this morning) but after a few sniffs and a bite; he just comes back meowing. Also I noticed than when he does try to eat, he makes weird noises as he's chewing... kind of like "gargling" I suppose. Maybe he has a bad tooth, at least I'm hoping. I was concerned that he may be fighting with other cats but didn't think that would have a direct impact on his weight so significantly. I know I should take him to the vet; but unfortunately the clinic offers no discount to employees... and being just an 18 year old girl with a part time job; I don't think I could afford getting the bloodwork and such done. Parents offer no help; since "I was the one who took the responsibility when I started feeding him and he stayed." He's the sweetest thing and it kills me to know there's not much I can do... I'm going to talk to a few people about the financial situation so that I can try getting him to the clinic tomorrow afternoon. Anyone have any idea what could be wrong with him?

You really should bring him to the vet. Set up some sort of payment plan or something. If he has a bad tooth he is only going keep going down hill. There are many things that could be wrong with him.
I hope you are able to help him out.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

It does sound like a bad tooth, but only a vet would be able to tell for sure. See if you can set up some sort of payment plan - or even see if your parents would loan you the money.

Good luck!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Upon explaining my situation to a fellow co-worker at the clinic; the doc overheard told me to go ahead and just bring the cat in. She isn't charging.. She did bloodwork and found out he was anemic. Fortunately he did eat some dry food at the clinic that the doc offered him. Said she would do some more advanced blood testing the next morning. So my cat, Oliver; came back home with me. When I came to work this morning, another one of our doctors was in the office; however I was able to talk to the one who saw him and she said that the results came in normal (with the exception of the anemia) and was concerned that he may have gotten into some rodent poisoning. She told me that the current doc in the office knew all about it; so I should talk to him. I did so only for him to tell me that he doubted the other doc's diagnosis; and to bring Oliver back in. So I did.. and after some thorough physical examining, the doctor felt something in Oliver's stomach. Possibly something eaten or a tumor. If removable; the doc said he would do so; but if not that his condition would only get worse and it would be possible to euthanize him while he was already under the anesthetic. He's letting me go watch the surgery tomorrow morning; so I guess I'll know then what's going on. Oliver'ss just so affectionate and just wants to cuddle more than anything. *Sighs* I'll update tomorrow afternoon. Wish him luck...

Glows that Oliver is ok. Let us know how the surgery went.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

I hope Oliver is OK. **GLOWS** to him!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!