Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read the archives and noticed someone had the same problem about a year ago, but I was wondering if anyone could give some new advice. My 5 month old recently got spayed on Wednesday and recieve her last distemper and her rabies shot that day. When she came back Thursday, she was eating fine and fairly active. On Friday, I finished the 2 1/2 week long transition of her wet food (she always has dry food out). Saturday morning she ate a little bit of the wet food and stopped eating. Yesterday, I took her to the emergency vet. Every thing checks out fine; they didn't run any tests, but she seems normal. She's still alert and active and she was hydrated at that point. Later when we got home, I managed to feed her a few bites of moisted dry food. Later, she ate a mix of wet with a small amount of tuna. About 45 minutes later, she had diarrhea and then 5 minutes after that she vomited. I took her back to the emergency vet where they kept her overnight. She seemed fine and didn't need the IV that I signed off on in case she vomited again. Now she's sleeping, and I've made an appointment with my regular vet, but I'm still worried. I'm leaving tomorrow to pick up my car that's 5 hours away, and won't be able to come back until Thursday. Should I ask the vet to keep her overnight? If it were under normal circumstanes, I'd ask my roommates to feed her...but...I want someone watching her. I'm a college student, so I don't have much money to spare. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bea

Hi Bea,

What I would do, since you have limited funds, is see if your vet will board your kitty. That way, she will be watched, and she will already be in the hospital in case she needs medical care. A boarding rate should be much lower than actually hospitalizing a cat, although if your baby should get sick, you would have to pay more.

You sound like a wonderful cat mom, and obviously only want to do the best thing for your baby. She is young, and hopefully will get over whatever this is quickly. I would get some strained meat baby foods (with no onion added) and see if this jump-starts her appetite at all.

Regards,
PHKitkat

You didn't mention when your next vet visit is scheduled. I recently faced the same problem - do I stay or do I go?

Stinky and I went to the vet the day before I was to leave town for the weekend and I was flat out with the vet - told her I was afraid to leave for fear of returning to a dead cat. She took the time to explain to me why it was okay for me to go although Stink had been anorexic for weeks. Everything turned out fine. Stink is now on the mend.

If I remember right, distemper is one of those shots that can throw some cats "off" for a few days. Ask your vet. This maybe self limiting.

All the best to you and your new furbaby!

Purrs,
Elizabeth

I would get some strained meat baby foods (with no onion added) and see if this jump-starts her appetite at all.

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Beach Nut makes a great Stage 1 Baby Food that is 100% chicken for sick cats... Called "Chicken and Chicken Broth". You can get a can for 35 cents or something like that and try it...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Sorry -- Beech Nut. Popular brand, most grocery stores should carry.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Thank you so much y'all! We went to the vet yesterday; everything checked out fine again. We did agree to board her there while I'm gone. Chessie had lost 3 ounces overnight! My poor baby kitten! They are monitoring her very closely. It's almost like having her hopitalized but for much less. I called this morning to see how she was doing. The lab technician said they found a food that she would eat, so she's finally eating again! Hopefully, she'll continue eating. I'm so happy. I've been worried sick over her. Due to all the moving around, going to the vet, work, anxiety, etc, *I* forgot to eat until I realized how hungry I was. Bad mommy...not setting a good example. Thank you so much for the baby food suggestions. I hope she continues eating when she's home, but if not, I'm going to be prepared a buy a jar or two of baby food. I'll keep you updated.

Bea

Hi Bea,

Good to hear that your baby is eating again!

Thanks so much for the update!

Regards,
PHKitkat