6 month old female kitten is acting strange

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
Hi guys, I have a 6 month old female kitten that hasn’t been acting herself lately. If you had seen my earlier post, i had rescued her and her brother Nutmeg from outside and started raising them inside around September 1st. She has been kept separate from my dogs that I have because the one is mean towards any new animal brought into the house so he can’t be trusted. Every night when I get off work I always check on her and make sure that she has what she needs. I am always greeted by a loud meow and she’s always running to the door. But 2 days ago she didn’t do anything, she meowed but it was like she had a sore throat. I picked her up and she meowed a little bit so i think she may have hurt herself. But I didn’t see any marks on her, I looked very closely to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I’m not sure what’s wrong with her or if anything is wrong with her but I was hoping you guys might have some answers for me.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
Is she eating, drinking, pooping and peeing as much as normal?

What is her normal activity level? Is she sleeping and laying around as much as usual? Does she run and play as much as usual? Does she walk around and patrol the house like usual?

Sometimes, cats just decide to change behavior. Sometimes, it's just temporary. Other times, it is a lasting change.

That's why I asked about eating habits and litter box habits.
Cats can skip a day... either at the food bowl or the litter box. Sometimes they just do.

But if they skip two days or more, that's a problem.

If a cat stops going to the litter box or is she goes off her food, that's a good reason to call a vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
Is she eating, drinking, pooping and peeing as much as normal?

What is her normal activity level? Is she sleeping and laying around as much as usual? Does she run and play as much as usual? Does she walk around and patrol the house like usual?

Sometimes, cats just decide to change behavior. Sometimes, it's just temporary. Other times, it is a lasting change.

That's why I asked about eating habits and litter box habits.
Cats can skip a day... either at the food bowl or the litter box. Sometimes they just do.

But if they skip two days or more, that's a problem.

If a cat stops going to the litter box or is she goes off her food, that's a good reason to call a vet.
Cinnamon has used the litterbox and drank lots of water. She has ate very little but not as much as she did before. She is usually running around playing with her toys but she hasn’t been playing with them these past couple of days. they haven’t moved from where she last had them. She typically is active and wanting to go out and explore the rest of the house, trying to run out the door. But she hasn’t done that. she just stays laying down where she is and doesnt move unless she has to go to the bathroom or she is hungry/thirsty. she seems a bit more tired than usual. i usually take her into the living room and she will stay in an area where no animal can get to her and is playing but she just laid down on the pillow and went to sleep. or she just curls up in my lap and lays there until i either go to bed or before i have to leave.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
A sudden drop in activity level and eating less are two signs that something is wrong.

Cats are masters at hiding when they aren't feeling well. It's an evolutionary adaptation from when cats lived in the wild.
If a cat, living in the wild, showed any signs of weakness it would be quickly preyed upon. In order to prevent being chased and, possibly, eaten cats have adapted to mask any signs of being sick.

That's why the human needs to be aware of the signs that their cat is sick or not feeling well. The cat won't tell you. ;)

Since your cat isn't eating as much and isn't as active, I think you need to call a vet.

Here's an article to check out for more info.:
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
I agree that something is wrong. Definitely see a vet. It sounds like a virus, and she may have fever. Fever is usually accompanied by lethargy. The vet can give her an anti-inflammatory which will reduce fever and give pain relief. Since she is eating and drinking a little my guess is the virus will pass. It’s been a couple of days so she should begin to show signs of improvement soon. One common virus that displays in this manner is calicivirus, and kittens need supportive care during the illness.

How old was she when you brought her inside? She would be more than six weeks if she’s been inside since Sept. 1st.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,645
Location
Sweden
I agree. Your instincts are right, something is amiss. Hopefully its a virus of the common type; if we let it be, it takes a full seven days to clear up by itself. If she gets vet / doctors care, it takes just a week to be healthy again.
Hopefully. But we dont know, so a vet check asap is in order.

You can always give her some droplet of white caro syrup on her lips and gum, it gives energhy.

tatonka1233 tatonka1233
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
I agree that something is wrong. Definitely see a vet. It sounds like a virus, and she may have fever. Fever is usually accompanied by lethargy. The vet can give her an anti-inflammatory which will reduce fever and give pain relief. Since she is eating and drinking a little my guess is the virus will pass. It’s been a couple of days so she should begin to show signs of improvement soon. One common virus that displays in this manner is calicivirus, and kittens need supportive care during the illness.

How old was she when you brought her inside? She would be more than six weeks if she’s been inside since Sept. 1st.
yes. she is around 5 months now. and i had found worms in her poop, so i am going to get her some dewormer. She has favored sleeping on a cardboard mouse game that i had gotten her a while back, instead of her usually place sleeping my legs or on my chest/neck area. I plan on making an appointment with the vet soon but it is becoming harder since we are going back to stay-at-home order.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
I agree. Your instincts are right, something is amiss. Hopefully its a virus of the common type; if we let it be, it takes a full seven days to clear up by itself. If she gets vet / doctors care, it takes just a week to be healthy again.
Hopefully. But we dont know, so a vet check asap is in order.

You can always give her some droplet of white caro syrup on her lips and gum, it gives energhy.

tatonka1233 tatonka1233
yes i am going to make an appointment as soon as i can. but i will try to give her the syrup.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
i had found worms in her poop, so i am going to get her some dewormer.
That's enough reason to call a vet, right there.

Having worms might explain her lethargy and lack of eating. If she's got a belly full of parasites, it would certainly make her feel "off."

Yes, you can certainly get some OTC de-worming medications from the pet store or other places but, given the fact that you have recently lost one cat, I suggest you talk to a vet.

One problem with having multiple cats in the same household is that they can pass diseases back and forth, between each other.
If one cat gets sick and passes it to a second, taking the first cat to the vet will probably cure the problem but, if the second cat is also sick, the first one can get sick AGAIN if the second cat reinfects the first.

If you have more than one cat in the house and one gets sick, it is wise to consider that EVERY cat might be sick until you sure that they are ALL healthy again.

I don't want to scare you but, if you already had one cat get sick and die, you should be on extra alert for potential health problems in the others.

I'm not trying to be an alarmist. I'm only saying that an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
That's enough reason to call a vet, right there.

Having worms might explain her lethargy and lack of eating. If she's got a belly full of parasites, it would certainly make her feel "off."

Yes, you can certainly get some OTC de-worming medications from the pet store or other places but, given the fact that you have recently lost one cat, I suggest you talk to a vet.

One problem with having multiple cats in the same household is that they can pass diseases back and forth, between each other.
If one cat gets sick and passes it to a second, taking the first cat to the vet will probably cure the problem but, if the second cat is also sick, the first one can get sick AGAIN if the second cat reinfects the first.

If you have more than one cat in the house and one gets sick, it is wise to consider that EVERY cat might be sick until you sure that they are ALL healthy again.

I don't want to scare you but, if you already had one cat get sick and die, you should be on extra alert for potential health problems in the others.

I'm not trying to be an alarmist. I'm only saying that an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure.
I had problems with worms when I had first got her and Nutmeg inside, I was able to de-worm both successfully and make sure they wee both healthy. Nutmeg had passed away with Lymphoma, so I am going to take Cinnamon to the vet later today to get her checked out and make sure that she has no signs of Lymphoma. I am on very high alert because of Nutmegs death, it was so sudden and every night when I get home from work, I immediately check on her and make sure that she is okay. This morning she was still doing the same thing that she has been doing. I don't know if cats have their own mourning time like we do and like dogs do, but I am just worried that I am going to come home and find her dead.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
I don't know if cats have their own mourning time like we do and like dogs do
Yes, many cats do miss their family members when they pass away. Especially if they were littermates.
Just let your cat(s) know that they are loved, play with them and take care of them.
Things will get better. :)

I am just worried that I am going to come home and find her dead.
I think we all worry like that.

The important thing is that you have done your best to take care of them.
Those cats were born outdoors where they had no protection and no guarantee of food and comfort.
Now, that you have brought them indoors, they have a nice home where somebody loves them, they have a warm bed to sleep in and they never have to want for food.

You have done great work, just there.

If I was a cat living outdoors and was lucky enough to find a good, safe home with a human who loved me, I would be a happy cat, indeed!

The greatest gift to a cat is to be able to pass on to the next life knowing that there is somebody who loves me.

Just do your best, don't worry too much and take pride in the fact that you have given your cats the best life that you know how to give. :)
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,645
Location
Sweden
yes i am going to make an appointment as soon as i can. but i will try to give her the syrup.
The syrup here isnt no remedy, but it keeps the energhy up... So, please do both. Give this droplet of syrup (and if she is really weak, water with this syrup and a little trifle salt - easier to swallow and digest than kmr) - AND get an appointment with your vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
The syrup here isn't no remedy, but it keeps the energy up... So, please do both. Give this droplet of syrup (and if she is really weak, water with this syrup and a little trifle salt - easier to swallow and digest than kmr) - AND get an appointment with your vet.
Yes, I have already made an appointment to take her in and I am planning on giving her the syrup a little every day just to keep her strength up enough to eat, drink and use the litter box. I just want to try and give her the best care I can so that she has a better life.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

tatonka1233

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
52
Purraise
43
Location
Jones, MI
Today she is doing a little better. She seems to have more energy and she has begun to eat a significantly larger amount of food than what she had done before.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
Glad to know that Kitty is doing better! :)

Tapeworms do explain some or all of the symptoms that you described so I think your vet's diagnosis is on the mark.
(Not saying that your vet was wrong. Just the opposite... what your vet said lines up with observed facts. More like saying, "Aha! That's it!")

Making sure that your cat gets the medicine she needs is important, right now. I'm sure you know that. Just being supportive, here. :)

One thing to note... Tapeworms are transmissible from pet to pet AND from pets to humans.
Since you have one or more dogs and... I don't know... do you still have other cats? You need to be on guard against other animals getting tapeworms, too.

Tapeworms can be transmitted by eating an infected animal like a mouse or a rabbit. They can be transmitted from fleas and, rarely, through fecal contact. These are the things you should be on the lookout for.

It's possible that your cat caught a mouse or something and got worms when she ate it. She was an outdoor cat and it's reasonable to think that is how she got them.

Fleas can also be an intermediate host (carrier) of tapeworms. If an animal has worms and a flea bites the animal, the fleas can carry the tapeworm eggs to another animal. What can happen is that one animal gets worms, passes it (through fleas) to another then, even if the first animal gets cured, the first one can get worms again because of the second.

This exact scenario happened when I was a kid. My father used to breed hunting dogs. One of the dogs got worms and Dad got the dog de-wormed from the vet. Then, other dogs started getting worms. Dad got them cured but not before the first one got them again.
Dad had to call the vet to come out and de-worm ALL FIVE of the dogs at the same time.
(This was back in the days when vets an doctors still made house calls. Besides, how the heck is somebody supposed to pack up that many dogs and take them all to the vet? ;) )

Finally, worms can come out in the animal's feces and, if another animal or person comes into contact, they can get infected, too.

Here's what I think you need to do in order to get rid of tapeworms, once and for all...

First, clean out the litter box, really well. Throw away all used litter and clean up any spilled litter. Use hot water and Clorox bleach to disinfect the litter box and the surrounding area. Make sure you do a good job of this and if your cat or other animals made a mess in the house, clean and disinfect those areas, too. Tapeworm eggs are small... they can be smaller than a grain of sand or as large as a grain of rice. You might not see them but they can still be there and they can reinfect an animal without even knowing it.

Second, get all your animals de-flea-ed. Use flea shampoo if you can. Use flea medicine if you can get it. Clean the heck out of your carpets, upholstery and bedding where animals stay.

Finally, get all your animals de-wormed, even if you don't think they have worms because they might have them without knowing. The eggs take time to hatch and grow. You can probably use OTC de-worm treatments from the pet store, etc. but I would still just call the vet to touch base. De-worm, again, two weeks later. Like I said, worm eggs can be latent for a time after getting infected.

I don't want to be an alarmist but, in your case, where you already lost one pet, I think it's wise to "double down" on prevention.

I'm happy to know that Cinnamon is feeling better and that her problem wasn't anything serious. :)

Thoughts and prayers be with you! Sending good vibes! :vibes:
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
BTW... More information on tapeworms. Click below:
 
Top