- Joined
- Dec 3, 2016
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My cat, Henry, has always been full of energy, with a big appetite, one so big that I've had to be careful he does not gain weight. In mid-May there were a few days when his appetite and energy were low and he was licking his lips, not at all in relation to his having eating. I got worried and called the vet (he'd already been seen in mid April for hot spots and "fur mowing" on his stomach and had an exam) and I was able to get an appointment within the week, despite their having restrictions on appointments and a wait time. Two days before the appointment Henry started heartily eating again and seemed back to himself so I decided to cancel the appointment and wait for his annual physical exam, which is every June and will take place tomorrow (Monday).
This past Thursday, he started having a low appetite again, though I'm not sure if this is because he's not very hungry or because I made the huge mistake of giving him treats on Wednesday. Since then he will not touch his dry food, only some of his wet food and his treats. (I only gave him more treats because he was eating so little of anything else). He also is back to not being his usual chirpy, vibrant self and has returned to licking his lips. I am so upset with myself that I cancelled the appointment in May. Normally, I err on the side of extra caution instead of casual when it comes to going to the vet. But back in May I was thinking he was better. Now I wish I hadn't. I am wracked with guilt that I may have made a poor decision. His hot spots are gone and he still self grooms daily and is affectionate with me and still visits the window he likes to look out, but his energy is not the kitten-like it usually is and I cannot stop thinking about his decrease in appetite. Today (Sunday) he has been especially low energy.
My concerns and questions are mainly these: is there any chance it's because Henry has had to adjust to having me home 24/7 and that I experience anxiety that I was getting help for before the lockdown? I've read that cats can pick up on their human's emotions, no matter how subtle and how much their human tries to hide their feelings, and that this can affect cats, physically and emotionally.
As much as I do not want to be the cause of any pain or discomfort for Henry, I also do not want to think there is a much more serious, physical problem going on. Has anyone else second-guessed themselves on calling or cancelling the vet, especially these past few months with safety measures in place at vets and restricted types of appointments? Can the time I lost when I cancelled be made up for or have I waited too late? Licking of the lips, I know, can be indicative of dental pain, but can it be of anything else?
As so many, many cats are to their human, Henry is the dearest, sweetest cat and companion and everything to me.
Any thoughts or feedback is very much appreciated!
Henry's human
This past Thursday, he started having a low appetite again, though I'm not sure if this is because he's not very hungry or because I made the huge mistake of giving him treats on Wednesday. Since then he will not touch his dry food, only some of his wet food and his treats. (I only gave him more treats because he was eating so little of anything else). He also is back to not being his usual chirpy, vibrant self and has returned to licking his lips. I am so upset with myself that I cancelled the appointment in May. Normally, I err on the side of extra caution instead of casual when it comes to going to the vet. But back in May I was thinking he was better. Now I wish I hadn't. I am wracked with guilt that I may have made a poor decision. His hot spots are gone and he still self grooms daily and is affectionate with me and still visits the window he likes to look out, but his energy is not the kitten-like it usually is and I cannot stop thinking about his decrease in appetite. Today (Sunday) he has been especially low energy.
My concerns and questions are mainly these: is there any chance it's because Henry has had to adjust to having me home 24/7 and that I experience anxiety that I was getting help for before the lockdown? I've read that cats can pick up on their human's emotions, no matter how subtle and how much their human tries to hide their feelings, and that this can affect cats, physically and emotionally.
As much as I do not want to be the cause of any pain or discomfort for Henry, I also do not want to think there is a much more serious, physical problem going on. Has anyone else second-guessed themselves on calling or cancelling the vet, especially these past few months with safety measures in place at vets and restricted types of appointments? Can the time I lost when I cancelled be made up for or have I waited too late? Licking of the lips, I know, can be indicative of dental pain, but can it be of anything else?
As so many, many cats are to their human, Henry is the dearest, sweetest cat and companion and everything to me.
Any thoughts or feedback is very much appreciated!
Henry's human