Suggestions for cleaning a sick cat

[Rhall]

My George has been ill for 3 weeks now. Long story short, he has been getting feedings from me and yesterday he vomited a lot. His fur around his neck is really a mess. He has extreme vertigo at this time. I saw there was a waterless spray bath by Burt's Bees- but also concerned the smell could bother him. Any suggestions? A small bit of cat bath in warm water and using cloths?

 

[Kieka]

I would just use a wet washcloth and gently wipe him off as he tolerates it. Once he's clean, keep it up daily and maybe use a toothbrush on his head to help soothe him (toothbrushes being a good human approximate for a cat tongue on kittens). Unless he has massive clumps stuck in his fur, I wouldn't worry about a cleaner. If you do need a soap, I'd use a small amount of dawn dish soap heavily diluted in water.

 

[gilmargl]

Poor George! A cat hates being dirty but, at the same time, putting him under more stress will not help him recover.
A year ago I had a similar problem with Katy. After a road accident she couldn't swallow and had to be force fed. We did our best to keep her clean (at both ends) with safe baby wipes, without perfume etc. but it was a losing battle. After about 3 weeks, she looked a mess and not only because of her injuries.

I had to go into hospital and when I returned home 5 weeks later I honestly thought it may have been better to have had her euthanized when the vet recommended it. Perhaps she was glad to have me back, or 8 weeks of suffering were long enough, suddenly she started eating normally and cleaning herself again.

Unless George is used to being bathed, I would not attempt washing him. Katy's nose was blocked and one eye was badly damaged so, on the vet's advice, we used to squirt a few drops of the subQ liquid onto her face and up her nostrils to keep things clear and then wiping with baby wipes or (out-of-date) wipes we obtained from the local doctor's surgery. Her front legs and paws never looked clean as just wiping them free from dribbled food just wasn't enough. A cat's lick is impossible to copy!

She only tolerated a limited amount of being kept clean and what we did was hardly effective. She smelt dreadful.

I hope George improves soon.

Once he's clean, keep it up daily and maybe use a toothbrush on his head to help soothe him (toothbrushes being a good human approximate for a cat tongue on kittens).

A toothbrush is a good idea - well worth trying!

 

[Rhall]

No he is definitely not use to being bathed and I certainly don't want to stress him more. The toothbrush is a great idea and will also try some baby wipes. We are just doing our best. Just back from a vet visit and second time this week no fever!! I am hoping we are on the downswing of this virus or whatever it is!