here we go again?

[tobyo]

Greetings. It's been a while since I posted. We adopted Frankie at 3.5 years old(he's 5 now) and we had to confine him because he was highly stressed and was going outside the box. That was October/November 2018. He has occasional "accidents" when his box is not clean enough. Well, darling Frankie caught and ate most of a mouse yesterday. Plus, hubby and I were out of town for a few days and our daughter was taking care of Frankie. I noticed he had runny poop on his tail which is not like him. He is meticulous in his bathing.....then sh*t hit the fan!! nearly literally........and it was like those first days after we adopted him. Hubby put him in his box because we could tell he was about to go on the bed. Well, he managed one "piece" in the box, then high tailed it racing throughout the house dropping lovely wet mooshy pieces all over the place: two comforters, two work folders, several spots on the floors......more than one floor....but I think I got all of it cleaned up.

So, here's my question: do we need to confine him again until his digestive system returns to normal? Hubby sent Frankie outside (he's an outdoor cat) and I put the rest of his dinner and his water dish out there too. He does sometimes spend the entire night outside. OR, do we wait it out until his digestion is normal again? Hope I get some sleep for the worrying

Thanks for any advice.

 

[druvendra]

I would call the vet and take him in.
Rats carry many diseases and parasites - a reason, among many, that cats should be indoor only, or only be out on a schedule of leash walks.

 

[tobyo]

Are rats the same as mice? It was a small mouse, not a rat. I'm going to call the vet this morning to see what they say.

Cats are born hunters and we prefer to let them live their lives as intended. You can choose to keep your cat(s) inside. There is no "should" but you are entitled to your opinion. We live with the risks of allowing our cats outside.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[druvendra]

Are rats the same as mice? It was a small mouse, not a rat. I'm going to call the vet this morning to see what they say.

Cats are born hunters and we prefer to let them live their lives as intended. You can choose to keep your cat(s) inside. There is no "should" but you are entitled to your opinion. We live with the risks of allowing our cats outside.

Thank you for your reply.

(Wild) Rats and mice both carry tons of diseases and parasites due to their biological habits.
See here.
And here.
..Also.. Worth a read, in relation. As well as.

 

[ArtNJ]

I think it was helpful for folks to mention the possibility that it could be a serious rodent-born illness just so you know you'll have to monitor it and possibly take to the vet for meds, but ultimately we just don't know how long it will last or what it is and can't offer advice other than monitor the cat. Which I guess answers your question -- confinement in a bathroom would be better, so you can ensure the cat is able to eat and drink and hold fluid, whereas outdoors you wouldn't know how bad the cat is doing.

 

[druvendra]

I think it was helpful for folks to mention the possibility that it could be a serious rodent-born illness just so you know you'll have to monitor it and possibly take to the vet for meds, but ultimately we just don't know how long it will last or what it is and can't offer advice other than monitor the cat. Which I guess answers your question -- confinement in a bathroom would be better, so you can ensure the cat is able to eat and drink and hold fluid, whereas outdoors you wouldn't know how bad the cat is doing.

Also we should keep in mind that you will likely have to do this pretty heftily more often - moreso than a regular cat, considering the cat is indoor outdoor, which is your choice at the end of the day. You may also want to look into those collar-cameras to moniter activity.

 

[tobyo]

I have had outdoor cats for decades so I know the risks. I guess thanks for the reminder.

Frankie is not eating or drinking.

 

[druvendra]

I have had outdoor cats for decades so I know the risks. I guess thanks for the reminder.

Frankie is not eating or drinking.

What did your vet say?

 

[tobyo]

Frankie didn't have a fever and wasn't dehydrated they say because he ate some wet food. since he's not eating dry food it's okay to feed him wet food for a bit. He's gobbled down three helpings of wet food today and for the first time in a couple of days he drank water. that was at dinner at 9 p.m. Way past his dinner time and off his schedule but he's done a lot of sleeping today. He began grooming himself today and smells and looks so much better!! Vet took some blood to check for stuff the mouse may have had, gave him a pill for tapeworm just in case and we'll get the blood results tomorrow.

Thanks for asking. I'm so relieved he's feeling better. I sure hope he uses the litter box now......which was my original concern since we had to confine him when we first adopted him.