Outdoor cat in hospital, VET at a loss

Hi everyone,
A little background. Our cat, Harry, is about 3 and very timid and quiet for a boy. We are in Ireland. He arrived here last September, has taken to the house during the day, but goes crazy if we try to keep him in at night. Have bought every product we can find to get him to use a box, but he won't stay in it more than 1 second. He is not neutered yet, as each time we had the appointment he was sick or disappeared for the day. Although I feed him every morning and evening, he doesn't rub against me or come to me. He only likes my husband and follows him around the house and outside.

In the past 3 weeks his patterns have changed....not playing with his toys anymore, not lying in his old favorite cases, much more vocal and load when he wants to go out...which has been a lot more.

He's been at the Vet a few times since September, 1. With cat flu 2. Eyes infected 3. Limping and holding front right paw up when sitting. Number 3 was just 2 weeks ago.

On Tuesday, he seemed fine in the morning, but became more anxious to go out, more often during the day. He did eat breakfast and some hard food during the day.

On Wednesday morning, he came to the door looking dazed. Came in and went to sleep for the rest of the day, without eating. Brought him to the Vet and they said he had a fever, did not react to their examination (they said he should have resisted a little) his breathing was fast. His ears were clear, coat shiny, mouth and teeth looked fine. They kept him last night and gave him antibiotic and anti inflam drug.

This morning, there was no change in him from when we brought him in. Later in the day the fever went down, but still a fever. He hasn't eaten, drank or gone to the bathroom. The leukemia test is negative. When they hooked him to the drip, he resisted a small bit, but not what he should have, they said. They are sending blood to the lab and results won't be in until next Tuesday. The Vet said they have no idea what is wrong. I called back an hour later and asked it could be a Urinary Tract Infection and they said they will do a test. Would have thought that should have been done without me asking?

Since the Vet doesn't know what's wrong, wondering if anyone has any ideas?

Thank you for your help.

Geri

I hate to even consider it, but...poisoning?  Either deliberate (SHUDDER) or he got into something that he shouldn't have.  This is a huge danger for outdoor cats, although you've done your best to keep him in.  

The blood tests should reveal something, so sorry you and your kitty are going through this.  Please let us know when you hear the results from your vet

Thank you for replies!

Called first thing this am.....they said he ate a very tiny bit of soft food last night.  They are trying to get a urine sample, but he just went on the paper in the cage, so they have to keep trying.

He still has a fever, although it is lower than Wednesday.   He's still receiving shots of antibiotics, pain killer & anti inflammatory 

Poisoning was the first thing my husband thought of, but the Vet said he'd probably have thrown up or had diarrhea by now. But, I think it is a possibility since they can't figure out what is wrong.  

 If they send him home for the weekend, we are so worried that he won't stay in.  I've prepared a new box and litter and will try first thing when he's back.    He really can't get the concept of the box at all.  Even scouted out some of his stool in the back yard and put a little in box.....that only drew his attention for 1 second.  (tried all the tricks I read on net) 

Thank you so much for the replies....it means a lot to me as never had an outdoor cat that couldn't learn to use box or even want to stay inside without going crazy.  Just want him well, but I fear they they will let him home without a diagnosis because it's the weekend. 

He should calm down once he is neutered. It would be in his best interest to keep him indoors.

Harry028 said:

 
Thank you for replies!

Called first thing this am.....they said he ate a very tiny bit of soft food last night.  They are trying to get a urine sample, but he just went on the paper in the cage, so they have to keep trying.

He still has a fever, although it is lower than Wednesday.   He's still receiving shots of antibiotics, pain killer & anti inflammatory 

Poisoning was the first thing my husband thought of, but the Vet said he'd probably have thrown up or had diarrhea by now. But, I think it is a possibility since they can't figure out what is wrong.  

 If they send him home for the weekend, we are so worried that he won't stay in.  I've prepared a new box and litter and will try first thing when he's back.    He really can't get the concept of the box at all.  Even scouted out some of his stool in the back yard and put a little in box.....that only drew his attention for 1 second.  (tried all the tricks I read on net) 

Thank you so much for the replies....it means a lot to me as never had an outdoor cat that couldn't learn to use box or even want to stay inside without going crazy.  Just want him well, but I fear they they will let him home without a diagnosis because it's the weekend. 

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A fever and poisoning are inconsistent with each other.  When he comes home He should not be allowed outside at all while he is ill like this, he could die outside, become prey to another animal, or just feel too poorly to come home.  He needs constant monitoring.  He might also benefit from a vet prescribed fever reducer, but please don't use any OTC fever meds on your own, most are very toxic to cats.

Have they checked his teeth?  Possibly systemic infection from abscesses?  Surely they have.  

And GOD yes, get him neutered ASAP.  It will calm him down,  make him more prone to staying in, and generally just a happier cat.

Hi everyone,   They diagnosed a Urinary Tract today....why it took me asking for test I don't know..  His fever is gone, he ate a little. His blood tests came back fine, except for a very slightly elevated liver count.    They released him so I have him here.  

The poor guy urinated in his box on the way home.

Been to every store in the area to get cat shampoo and cleaner as the whole house smells now.

I have a new litter box for him, but again he won't even look for a second.  We are going to keep him in, no matter all this crying to get out.  He is getting himself very upset.

Have to bring him back for a check on Monday.  My husband is going to try and make an outside enclosure, but that will take a few days.   The poor little guy crying all the time to get out is heartbreaking, but much better than him lying flat out sick. 

Thanks for all your replies....cross your fingers he will keep getting better.  

You might try giving him a teaspoon of chamomile tea via syringe.  It can really help calm a cat.  You can give that twice a day.  Some say three times, and I have used three doses on injured cats, but for just calming, I'd keep it at two.  And since he's not so bad during the day, you may get away with just an evening dose.  Brew a cup just as you would to drink it yourself.  LOL...with him so upset, I'd advise drawing up his portion, then drinking the rest.  It will help you relax as well!  If you don't have it on hand, you can get it at almost all grocery stores in the coffee/tea aisle for a very reasonable price (what price sanity?).

Hi,

My cat was so distressed.....never, ever saw/heard anything like it before.  My husband brought him out and watched him like a hawk...he urinated a few times, dug holes and tried to have a bowel movement but could not.   He brought him out 4 times and each time he urinated a few times.....the cat tried to go on it's usual walk through the fields, but he was able to get him and carry him home.    

Well, the cat got more upset and more upset to having himself in a frenzy here.  We brought him back to the Vet 9 pm last night, the Vet drove from home to meet us there at it was Saturday night.     He had to give him sedation as his heart rate was so high and he put a catheter in. Vet said his bladder was full, but he had also urinated in the car on the way to Vet.     He tested urine Again...said it had blood, leuko and other things wrong.

I said to him, my cat should never have been sent home yesterday....he said nothing.  So, the cat is in hospital with a catheter and they are adding another antibiotic to the one he was getting and pain killers.   Tomorrow, they will send his urine to a lab for culture.   I asked why that hadn't been done before, he said they try to keep the costs down.  Well, isn't it going to cost even more now......and the distress the poor cat is in?? And I told them and signed a form to do whatever tests or anything needed for him.  Arrgh.   

Would move vets, but the only other one around for 40 miles has a bad reputation.....this place is supposed to be the best.  Have decided to go speak to the owner/Vet tomorrow. 

My thoughts now are that he has to stay there until he is 100 percent.  No infection left at all.  He absolutely will not stay in so he has to be at his healthiest to be going out.     We are now wondering if this is why someone got rid of him.....as the neighbors told us he was around looking for food about 3 months before he took to us.     The thought then was he had been dropped off in this area by someone because he was used to being in a house. 

Anyway, any thoughts are appreciated.  Thank you.   

So sorry for your baby that a"professional" had to be told how to do his job.
I know you've just spent scads on vet bills but you would do Harry a great service and it will save you scads more to just go ahead and have him neutered! Honestly, I think the Vet should give you a reduced rate because he MISDIAGNOSED him twice!
I know from experience that neutered
Cats
A) no longer have the driven need to go looking for that FEMALE IN HEAT

and

B) He will not spray around in the house. You may spend hundreds of dollars on clean up after he sprays opposed to a one time vet charge for neutering.

Totally agree...sad to the Vet last night what if when he is fully 100 percent, can they do it right away while he is in there.  He said No....he'd have to wait 2 weeks after he's better.   Which starts the cycle again of him getting something else before appt because he'll have to out. 

Going to put my foot down a little and say they've got to help me more here.

Thank you! 

Harry028 said:

 
Hi,

Anyway, any thoughts are appreciated.  Thank you.   

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UTI's are common and rarely an emergency. There are many ways to practice good medicine and still not get it right 100% of the time as each patient is different and reasonable decisions can sometimes lead to bad results.  Any vet who opens his practice for you on a sat night is doing an extraordinary thing, my suggestion is to keep your vet an ally and work with him.  Your cats biggest statistical risk to his health is going outside and your vet can't control that.

Yes, you do need to emphasize the need to neuter as SOON as safe, and also yes, any vet that drives to meet you on a Saturday night is one you want to keep as an ally.  I am just so sorry that this is going on.  As for that chamomile tea, a cup for you now would help.  It really does.  PLEASE keep us updated, although I know you will.  Harry is on my "candle list" for regular prayers until you tell us he is fine and fit as a fiddle.

Hi,   I agree a Vet coming in on a Saturday is amazing.....it is the norm where I am in Ireland, certainly not in the US, that I found.  Seems they are available 7 days a week here, as there are a lot of large animal emergencies with all the farms.  

Drove 60 miles to a big pet store today and got more tips and bought things to try and get him to use the litter box and more stuff to clean the smell from yesterday.    They think there is a possibility that if I don't have the smell totally gone before he comes back, he could start urinating everywhere inside.  

Having a chamomile tea now and bought a dropper so see if it would help Harry after he's home.   Thank you also for the candle list....so nice of you! 

Thanks for the advice....very much appreciated! 

Admittedly I'm a novice as far as feline behavior. Just wondering if keeping him in a bathroom or another room with a solid floor (with a litter box) for two weeks or so until surgery would be acceptable? Visit frequently and be as kind as possible? Is temporary confinement risky or dangerous with a cat like this? He's very fortunate to have you as such caring parents.

Have you tried just soil or sand in his litter box?

Hi again,

Head Vet called this morning....to apologize as the blood tests weren't read correctly by the other 2 vets before releasing him on Saturday.  Harry has Pancreatitis.  They don't know  if it is acute or chronic yet.   His blood is being tested again for this specifically.  He still has the UTI. 

He also had an x-ray that showed a little swelling in the kidney and liver.    He's much more feisty and gave them a hard time, so I think that's a good sign.  He also ate on his own for them, but of course, will not urinate in the pan they gave him....only on the towel.  He pulled out the catheter and the stitches from Saturday.   They are keeping him in until all is settled.     

We visited today and no purring at all, but i guess he's mad with all the tests.  They were all nice and we can tell they felt bad that he was let home. 

In regards to the litter box, I've gone and found where he urinated and put that in the box.......used sand, all the different types in the store and the expensive litter from the pet store.  Nothing....he will not use it or pay any attention.   We did try leaving him in the room (large bathroom with window) and he cried and cried.  We also did it with me or my husband sitting in the room with him for an hour.....nothing.  Put his paws in, lights off, on, all I could find online I tried.  We are ready with new stuff they suggested we try, so will.  

Keep the suggestions coming.....I'll try anything to get him to stay inside.  

Thank you  

@Norachan  You have lots of experience with ferals...any ideas for how to get this guy using a litter box?  Or can you think of another member who could help?  We could use the big guns on this one!

catwoman707 would know what to do as well.