My Cat Won't Move!!!

jesscarlett

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Hello everyone. I am worried sick. This is going to be a bit long but please I need advice. One of my cats, around 2 years old, my tortie Salem has not been herself since yesterday. I noticed she wasn't moving to go eat, play or even stretch. She spent the whole day laying on a corner and whenever I'd pick her up she would just stay still where I put her. She only got up to use the litter box like 3 times. She pooped and peed but did not want to eat. Also I noticed she has been shedding ALOT. I started brushing her yesterday, I normally never brush her since she is a short haired cat but I did yesterday and a lot of hair would come out. She does not have bald patches but if I keep brushing more hair will come out. I brushed my other cats and none of them had this much shedding, not even the fluffy one! And she has white tiny spots that look like dandruff which started appearing after the brushing.

Today I took her to the vet and she had blood work done which came back fine. Her WBC was normal, no signs of anemia or infection. Her breathing was normal. She had a fever with 104.2. The vet injected her with subcutaneous fluids, cerenia and convenia. She also gave me some tablets to help her with her appetite and nausea. She told me to keep an eye on her and see how she does during the day and in case she stayed the same to bring her back again for more especific tests.

When we came home she ate and drank water many times, was walking again but not very active. I bought her new toys and sprayed catnip she loves and did not want to play. Then later on throughout the day she started acting the same as yesterday...pretty lethargic, purring non stop and hasn't eaten in a while nor used the litter box. I am starting to become very concerned as to why she might be like this. I spent quite a lot of money today and I'm in a budget. If I take her tomorrow it will be even more money. I'd like to ask if some of you may know what could be wrong with her! This started basically out of nowhere. She is strictly indoors and she has all her vaccines, she is spayed and when I rescued her (around 7 months ago) I did the leukemia and fiv test and it came back negative.

Please help, I am scared for my baby, I love her to death. What could be going on?

Summary:
Symptoms since May 7th:

Not eating/ate just a little
Lethargic
Constantly purring
Used the litter box no signs of diahrrea.

Took her to the vet today and got done:

CBC & differential came back normal
No signs of anemia
Vet gave her subcutaneous fluids, cerenia injection, convenia injection
Gave me mirtzapine tabs to help with apetite and nausea

Came home and she ate well
Was walking again but not playing or very active
Started being lethargic again a few hours later
Don't want to move or eat much anymore
Hasn't used the litter box today

I'm becoming desperate, what could he wrong with her?! Don't have much money to be able to afford more especific tests, help!
 
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stephanietx

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One of the biggest side effects of Convenia is excessive lethargy. I have a cat who was given that and the only times she moved for TWO WEEKS was to eat and to potty. Otherwise, she was sleeping. This is one of the reasons I advise against it. I've had 2 cats with similar reactions. You need to call the vet and let them know what's going. She MUST eat, though. Ask the vet for some Science Diet a/d to see if she'll eat that. You can get some plain meat baby food and offer that as well. Sometimes the Fancy Feast classics warmed up a little bit will also entice them to eat. Otherwise, you're going to have to assist feed her.
 

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One of the biggest side effects of Convenia is excessive lethargy. I have a cat who was given that and the only times she moved for TWO WEEKS was to eat and to potty. Otherwise, she was sleeping. This is one of the reasons I advise against it. I've had 2 cats with similar reactions. You need to call the vet and let them know what's going. She MUST eat, though. Ask the vet for some Science Diet a/d to see if she'll eat that. You can get some plain meat baby food and offer that as well. Sometimes the Fancy Feast classics warmed up a little bit will also entice them to eat. Otherwise, you're going to have to assist feed her.
I just want to add that if you feed baby food you have to be absolutely sure that there's no garlic in it, as that's poisonous to cats. Has she been drinking? It's important that she doesn't get dehydrated, it would probably be beneficial to give her water through a syringe if she hasn't been drinking. It is VERY important, as stephanietx stephanietx said, to let your vet know what is going on.
 

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jesscarlett jesscarlett ...Because you mentioned that your cat had a fever, she could also not be feeling well, until the fever comes down.
Originally, the sub-q fluids may have helped her feel better.
Make sure that she does get enough water, even if you have to syringe it into her, (like abyeb abyeb mentioned above) and like stepanietx mentioned, try any type of warmed up cat food, to get her to start eating again.

Having a fever, though, usually makes a cat not want to eat, so hopefully the antibiotics will kick in, and reduce her fever.
 
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jesscarlett

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One of the biggest side effects of Convenia is excessive lethargy. I have a cat who was given that and the only times she moved for TWO WEEKS was to eat and to potty. Otherwise, she was sleeping. This is one of the reasons I advise against it. I've had 2 cats with similar reactions. You need to call the vet and let them know what's going. She MUST eat, though. Ask the vet for some Science Diet a/d to see if she'll eat that. You can get some plain meat baby food and offer that as well. Sometimes the Fancy Feast classics warmed up a little bit will also entice them to eat. Otherwise, you're going to have to assist feed her.
I will try giving her some water through a syringe. About the baby food I don't have currently and it's late so I will have to wait until tomorrow and also I only have frisky cans not the fancy feast. Can I still warm up one of those?

I didn't know anything about the convenia! I will call tomorrow morning to tell her what is going on and hopefully she can advise me what to do. Thank you for your reply!
 
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jesscarlett

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20170508_223749.jpg
Thank you for your responses. Although I don't know what may be wrong with my baby I will try warming up the canned food and give her water by syringe. It's worrying me she has not used the litter box still! This is how she is looking right now. It breaks my heart!
 

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Aww, Salem is beautiful. And yes, you can warm up the Friskies, or any wet cat food that you think she will eat.
I usually just use the kettle, and add a little warm water to the food, but make sure that it is not too hot, blending it to make it into a smoothy, or thick-soupy-like consistency.
This Article has some more ideas: How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again
 

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She's really pretty! My cat got a shot of convenia. I read horror stories and was scared. I'm sure she appreciated me constantly checking on her and interrupting her sleep (i panic). She slept like 1-2 days but here's the key she drank ate and used the litter box. I think it knocks my cat to sleep. Keep kitty hydrated, she's going to be tired as the fever comes down and do what the wonderful people have recommended. It is shedding season so maybe that's the fur and dandruff. Most of the time you can call your vet in the morning and freak out. Convenia did make mine sleep a lot. She didn't really do much other than eat, drink and sleep. I of course just panicked. The science diet a/d (think that's the stinky one to help them eat ) smells and looks nasty but isn't a bad idea. If it's a respiratory infection there could be smelling problems so it helps them eat. Hopefully she'll feel better soon.

Nothing is wrong with calling the vet in the morning and going over all your concerns.
 
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jesscarlett

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Aww, Salem is beautiful. And yes, you can warm up the Friskies, or any wet cat food that you think she will eat.
I usually just use the kettle, and add a little warm water to the food, but make sure that it is not too hot, blending it to make it into a smoothy, or thick-soupy-like consistency.
This Article has some more ideas: How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again
Thank you so much for your reply. It is now 2:57am over here and at 2:05am she used the litte box finally! She peed and pooped well. Now at 2:30 she went and ate a little bit and right now she finished eating a bit more! She is back on my bed now and laid next to me. She is still purring non stop, which I don't think it's good. She might be in pain or discomfort. But at least she went to eat on her own! Earlier around the time I last replied I gave her some water through a syringe and she wasn't happy about it but she drank. I also warmed up a bit of the wet food but to no avail. I am so glad she ate on her own at least it makes me feel a bit.more relaxed. She still seems pretty lethargic but hopefully when I wake up (if I get some sleep) she will be acting more like her usual self. Once again thank you for the tips!
 
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jesscarlett

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She's really pretty! My cat got a shot of convenia. I read horror stories and was scared. I'm sure she appreciated me constantly checking on her and interrupting her sleep (i panic). She slept like 1-2 days but here's the key she drank ate and used the litter box. I think it knocks my cat to sleep. Keep kitty hydrated, she's going to be tired as the fever comes down and do what the wonderful people have recommended. It is shedding season so maybe that's the fur and dandruff. Most of the time you can call your vet in the morning and freak out. Convenia did make mine sleep a lot. She didn't really do much other than eat, drink and sleep. I of course just panicked. The science diet a/d (think that's the stinky one to help them eat ) smells and looks nasty but isn't a bad idea. If it's a respiratory infection there could be smelling problems so it helps them eat. Hopefully she'll feel better soon.

Nothing is wrong with calling the vet in the morning and going over all your concerns.
Thank you for all the tips and support! I have been checking on her the whole day (I freak out quite easily when any of my babies start acting different or become ill) I even had a breakdown at some point thinking the worst! But good news for now! It's 2:57am and at 2:08 she used the litter box finally, peed and pooped. At 2:30 she ate on her own! And a little bit more again now as I type this.

She still looks sad and is lethargic but her going on her own to eat and do to potty has relieved me a bit. I will wake up at 9:30 and check on her as soon as I open my eyes, if she is still acting ill I will call the vet and let her know. Probably take her in because I don't like to wait! But I am hoping she will go back to her old self by the morning. I worry way too much for all my fur babies (I have 5 and fostering 3 at the moment). Once again, thank you for the tips, I was feeling very lost and hopeless with this situation. I am glad you guys took the time to reply. Hope you're all having a good night/day.

I will update you guys on her condition during the morning!
 
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jesscarlett

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Hello everyone. I took Salem to the vet and her temperature was in 102! So she said everything seemed fine for now and no need for other tests unless she starts acting and looking ill once again. She has eaten, pee and pooped. Hasn't been in the mood for play and has been resting for the most part but she looks more lively, I can see it in her eyes. Hopefully everything keeps going well.
 

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With her fever as high as it was, I'm sure she just felt terrible and who wants to move around when you feel bad?? Glad you got her to the vet quickly and that her temperature is coming down. Also good to hear that she's eating on her own and using the box!! That's when you know they're feeling a bit better. Of course, she's a tortie, so I'm sure you're expecting a little bit more sass from her. Gotta love those tortie girls!
 
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jesscarlett

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With her fever as high as it was, I'm sure she just felt terrible and who wants to move around when you feel bad?? Glad you got her to the vet quickly and that her temperature is coming down. Also good to hear that she's eating on her own and using the box!! That's when you know they're feeling a bit better. Of course, she's a tortie, so I'm sure you're expecting a little bit more sass from her. Gotta love those tortie girls!
Yes she must have been feeling awful. I am just wondering where did her fever came from? What could have possibly caused it? It remains unknown but I am just glad she is fine now. She has been eating during the day, has been much more active although she hasn't been interested in playing and has been resting quite a bit, but I can see it in her eyes she feels more lively. I have snuggled her and been giving her kisses all day. I love my tortie, she is the best. Very loving and cuddly. All my experiences with torties so far have been pawsome! Even the stray ones are friendly. Thank you everyone for your good wishes! ^_^
 

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Hello everyone. I took Salem to the vet and her temperature was in 102! So she said everything seemed fine for now and no need for other tests unless she starts acting and looking ill once again. She has eaten, pee and pooped. Hasn't been in the mood for play and has been resting for the most part but she looks more lively, I can see it in her eyes. Hopefully everything keeps going well.
Excellent update, jesscarlett jesscarlett . The fever coming down, and Salem eating, peeing and pooping is all good. Playing would be expending too much energy, right now, so Salem will be using that energy for healing...in time, she'll be back to her old self.

I did want to ask you about the part where you said 'constant purring'. Is purring not a normal thing for Salem, or did you just mean that it was non-stop? Sometimes cats do self-soothe, while purring.
Don't have to answer this question, tonight, but rather I hope you catch up on all the sleep you missed last night, and have a better sleep tonight, as well. Continued Health vibes for Salem are being sent your way. :bluepaw:
 

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Yes she must have been feeling awful. I am just wondering where did her fever came from? What could have possibly caused it? It remains unknown but I am just glad she is fine now. She has been eating during the day, has been much more active although she hasn't been interested in playing and has been resting quite a bit, but I can see it in her eyes she feels more lively. I have snuggled her and been giving her kisses all day. I love my tortie, she is the best. Very loving and cuddly. All my experiences with torties so far have been pawsome! Even the stray ones are friendly. Thank you everyone for your good wishes! ^_^
(just saw this latest update. I think we're posting near the same time, and I've been ignoring my 'alerts'. I have to stop that. :rolleyes2:)
I don't know, sometimes we never find out what caused our cats to get sick. Was it food, an infection of some sort, an URI, allergies, etc. :dunno: Like you said, sometimes it remains unknown.
But I do think the most helpful thing is getting them to a Vet quickly, so that treatment is started quick. They bounce back faster that way.
 

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I'm so glad she is feeling better. As far as playing? I wouldn't encourage it right now. Like a sick kid I would just over dote on her. You did a great job of getting her to the vet and following up. So glad she's on the mend.
 
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