Cats Cat question
- Thread starter LtPiper
- Start date
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
She needs to see the vet tomorrow!
Has she been wormed? If not, do her gums look pale? What about her siblimg's? Does her belly look a bit distended?
First- DO NOT give Pepto Bismol! It's toxic for cats. Keep clean water out at all times.
If you are feeding any milk, stop. That may fix it (some cats never become lactose intolerant, although they are usually on a dairy farm with an unending supply of milk. Others outgrow it very quickly.)
Worm her! Unless you are sure she is free of worms.
If you can afford a vet, it would be a good idea. I'm used to doctoring (and saving- one young vet called our place, "the farm where nothing dies that should!") barn cats, where a vet was out of the question. Feed plenty of broth, with some rice... it could be an upset tummy from new surroundings.
But it could also be early stage distemper, or a nasty stomach bug. Watch for sticky or runny eyes, sunken or filmy eyes (danger sign- dehydrated- vet needed stat!). Poop with bloody streaks, or gray and opaque liquid (can be salmonella) or almost pure liquid. The latter is also an emergency, as small animals can dehydrate very quickly.
Her normal body temperature should be 99.5 to 102.5. (Evercise and ambient temperature have effects.. so does a black cat lying in the sun!) Respiration should be 15-30 per minute. Just stand back and watch her breathe... count the breaths for 30 seconds. Multiply by 2.
If anything seems badly off, it's time for the vet. But cats get similar viruses that we do, and under similar circumstances. As long as you monitor vital signs (pinch the skin on her shoulder, hold for 2 seconds. Let go. It should snap right back. If it doesn't, she needs fluids. Call the vet!) and her attitude and condition, she may do fine at home.
Summerthyme
First- DO NOT give Pepto Bismol! It's toxic for cats. Keep clean water out at all times.
If you are feeding any milk, stop. That may fix it (some cats never become lactose intolerant, although they are usually on a dairy farm with an unending supply of milk. Others outgrow it very quickly.)
Worm her! Unless you are sure she is free of worms.
If you can afford a vet, it would be a good idea. I'm used to doctoring (and saving- one young vet called our place, "the farm where nothing dies that should!") barn cats, where a vet was out of the question. Feed plenty of broth, with some rice... it could be an upset tummy from new surroundings.
But it could also be early stage distemper, or a nasty stomach bug. Watch for sticky or runny eyes, sunken or filmy eyes (danger sign- dehydrated- vet needed stat!). Poop with bloody streaks, or gray and opaque liquid (can be salmonella) or almost pure liquid. The latter is also an emergency, as small animals can dehydrate very quickly.
Her normal body temperature should be 99.5 to 102.5. (Evercise and ambient temperature have effects.. so does a black cat lying in the sun!) Respiration should be 15-30 per minute. Just stand back and watch her breathe... count the breaths for 30 seconds. Multiply by 2.
If anything seems badly off, it's time for the vet. But cats get similar viruses that we do, and under similar circumstances. As long as you monitor vital signs (pinch the skin on her shoulder, hold for 2 seconds. Let go. It should snap right back. If it doesn't, she needs fluids. Call the vet!) and her attitude and condition, she may do fine at home.
Summerthyme
Might be worms but I think that was done when she went in to be fixed. Got all her shots due at that time.
When I got her at 4ish months the rest of the litter was about 1/2 to 2/3rds her size. She was and is big.
Always have two fountains out and running with fresh water for them.
Today no signs of diarrhea. Well be fine for a few days then a day or two back the other way.
No milk or dairy unless she has a secret stash somewhere.
I’ll keep watching for any other signs.
When I got her at 4ish months the rest of the litter was about 1/2 to 2/3rds her size. She was and is big.
Always have two fountains out and running with fresh water for them.
Today no signs of diarrhea. Well be fine for a few days then a day or two back the other way.
No milk or dairy unless she has a secret stash somewhere.
I’ll keep watching for any other signs.
Was she tested for FIV or feline leukemia virus? Recurrent illness is often one of the first signs. Awfully early, though... I haven't had much experience with it after what I suspect was FIV (basically cat AIDS) depopulated our barn cats, and we had to start over with all new (vaccinated) kittens.
Still.. I'd first consider worming. If they were ever other than housecats, or 7f mama hunted, ivermectin may not be enough. They could easily have tapeworms, which requires a different family of meds. Still OTC, though. Check Chewy.com
Old vet saw.. when you hear hoofbeats, don't look for zebras! I used to retort... but if your symptoms shape into a suspiciously striped horse, for God's sake, have the intellectual honesty and curiosity to look beyond the obvious!
Still, intermittent loose stools in an otherwise well grown kitten who isn't getting dairy or food changes suggests worms. If she was only wormed once before you got her, she probably has/had a second generation that needed to get hit again.
Obviously, if she also appears to be in pain, if there is anything more than a small trace/streak of blood in the loose stools, or if she isn't eating or drinking normally during a bit, a trip to the vet I'd in order.
Oh... is she long haired? Or does she groom long haired cats? Hairballs that are slowly being passed can cause this...
Summerthyme
Still.. I'd first consider worming. If they were ever other than housecats, or 7f mama hunted, ivermectin may not be enough. They could easily have tapeworms, which requires a different family of meds. Still OTC, though. Check Chewy.com
Old vet saw.. when you hear hoofbeats, don't look for zebras! I used to retort... but if your symptoms shape into a suspiciously striped horse, for God's sake, have the intellectual honesty and curiosity to look beyond the obvious!
Still, intermittent loose stools in an otherwise well grown kitten who isn't getting dairy or food changes suggests worms. If she was only wormed once before you got her, she probably has/had a second generation that needed to get hit again.
Obviously, if she also appears to be in pain, if there is anything more than a small trace/streak of blood in the loose stools, or if she isn't eating or drinking normally during a bit, a trip to the vet I'd in order.
Oh... is she long haired? Or does she groom long haired cats? Hairballs that are slowly being passed can cause this...
Summerthyme
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