Cat boarding aftermath

[Elvey]

Hi,
So I boarded my indoor outdoor cat… really i force this cat in at nights and he isnt happy. That all said, I brought him back from 4 nights of boarding and he was a bit out of it and confused. He just went into his bed and stayed there until late noon the next day. I decided to carry him into the Catio to get some sun and freshair. I wasn't going to let him out in his state. He was pretty much a wet noodle. Didnt perk him up much. He isn't eating or drinking, and the not drinking concerns me.
i get that he went from high daily activity to a confined room for 4 days (5x8 room with a view-nice place) so sure he needs time, however at what point do I take him to the vet for dehydration?
i put a couple droppers of water in his mouth because it seemed dry. Is this how cat depression looks? Any ideas. I tried some fresh cat nip, he barely sniffed it. Just leave him be? Much appreciated.

 

[Norachan]

That is kind of worrying. Did the boarding place say he`d been eating and drinking as normal while he was there? Any outbreaks of sickness at the kennels?

If it`s been over 24 hours and he`s still lethargic and not eating or drinking I think you need to call your vet now

 

[Elvey]

They said he had been eating some food until the day prior of when i picked him up. And claimed there were a number of urine clumps in litter box the last night of his stay. That said he was boarded with my other cat who is fine. It’s a small facility, no reports of illness, they are strict with shots and all that.

 

[iPappy]

They said he had been eating some food until the day prior of when i picked him up. And claimed there were a number of urine clumps in litter box the last night of his stay. That said he was boarded with my other cat who is fine. It’s a small facility, no reports of illness, they are strict with shots and all that.

I would definitely call the vet ASAP, and call the facility and tell them how he's acting. Did they specify how much "some food" is? Did they mention if he hid the entire time, or if he was up and active?
The fact that he's out of it is concerning. I would also ask what cleaners they used in or around his boarding space. Some cats are much more sensitive than others.
(FWIW, I'm not blaming the facility AT ALL, as it sounds like a very nice place! I have a boarding place myself that boards cats, and if a cat went home and acted like this, I would want to know so I could work with the owners and their veterinarian to determine if there was anything we could do to help avoid this in the future.)

 

[Kris107]

With not eating and drinking, I'd get him to a vet. Not eating can be as much of an emergency as not drinking. I could see having a good sleep and maybe being a little different after all the change/stimulation at the kennel, but this sounds like more than that.

 

[neely]

I agree with all the above members that this is very concerning and you should have him examined by your vet. It's also possible the anxiety of being away from home and confined was too stressful for him. Cats are territorial and sometimes when taken out of their daily environment they can become ill. I hope he feels better soon but please call your vet and keep us posted on his progress.

 

[Elvey]

hi all thanks for replying. Just a follow up. So Sat night I drove an hour away to get to a 24 hr vet. I called, they said bring him. Turns out there was a 6 plus hour wait time before he was even seen. I decided to go back home since it would be almost morning and I could get to a closer vet and a less stressful wait. However I was pretty stressed. So Sun they kept him all day with slow drip fluids. He had a very high fever. With a sensitive abdomen. However, after a battery of tests that would pay for a new appliance, they didn't find anything conclusive. He received antibiotics and his fever finally came down toward end of day Sun. I brought him back home where he is recuperating. Unsettling not knowing what it is. Anyway, He started pawing at all the exits last night, although still kind of out of it and weak on his feet. Hoping he continues to improve. Yes, going to keep him inside. He looks a little more bright eyed this AM

 

[iPappy]

Despite the stress, I'm glad he's improving. I hope the fluids and antibiotics are all it takes to get him back on his feet for good!

 

[Norachan]

I`m glad to hear he`s doing better. Was he on his regular food while he was being boarded?

 

[Elvey]

I`m glad to hear he`s doing better. Was he on his regular food while he was being boarded?

Yes he was. Seems he has made a full recovery.
I had them scheduled for another boarding in Dec but honestly I am unsure what I am going to do now. While I think the facility is fine, I do wonder how much he hadn't been eating or drinking since my other cat was with him, and for how long. She might have eaten enough of his food to make it seem like he was eating. I warned them to watch her with that. Guessing he may have been too stressed to eat. I just don't know what happened. They said he would sit quietly and l look out window with my other cat.
i’d love to find a sitter to come for visits to my house but anyone I have found that looks legit, the drive is too far. Anyway I am going to keep trying to figure out an alternative.