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Cating behaving sickly, what to think?

About a week or so ago, we found a tick on him and pulled it. Then about 4 days ago, we found a second one and pulled it. At least, I believe it was a different (different location). We made sure it was gone. About 18 hours later he began to behave sickly. He's on the second and a half day of this behavior. Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, and slow movement. He has eaten only small portions of canned food, because he doesn't not seem interested in dry. He drinks still, but not much. When he's awake, he just sits and stares. Then he sleeps for long periods.

I have not noticed any trouble with his breathing, or any vomiting. No other strange behaviors aside from this, which I know could mean a lot of things. His bowel movements are still relatively normal. However, we did notice his ears have black gunk inside of them. Also, we did notice a strange odor (similar to the smell of dead rodents) on him a week prior to discovering the ticks and the current situation. I was trying to check him for inflamed joints (symptom of tick infection) and accidentally discovered a very tender place on his hind leg that may him very upset at me. I haven't figured out how exactly to check lymph nodes on him.

I know that I am not a vet, and that is what he needs. But, my situation comes right in the middle of the weekend, which means emergency calls only. Examinations fees are tripled, which is a scary thing financially if he needs scans and bloodwork and overnight stays and everything else on top of that. It's a very stressful dilemma either way. I don't want him to suffer, I don't want him to reach a point of no return, and I don't want to spend a fortune to find out I have to loose him.

Given the info here, what do you think is more likely. Did he quickly fall to an infection due to the ticks? Or is coincidental, and he more likely ingested poison at the same time? What does the tender place on his leg indicate? What would you do in this situation that is now coming up on Sunday with no open vets?

Any kind of input is appreciated.
21 Responses
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Thanks for getting back to us and good luck at the Vets. Maybe since she has to go downstairs to pee, she cannot make it, so she pees on the floor she is already on rather than go upstairs or downstairs. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.LOL  UTI"s are just like we humans.
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Avatar universal
So I'll be making a vet appointment this week. I forgot I mention one thing. I like in a basement apartment and both kitty litters are downstairs. My cat loves going upstairs and she spends most of her time up there she only comes down or pee or eat.
I know some of you think there is something wrong with my cat and I will her her checked out
But I think it's also Behavioural because she only pees on the floor or our sofa but she has never peed upstairs
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi lin,

Just checking in. How is the wound doing. Have you seen a doctor.? Reposted you question, but we do not give out advice on medication amounts or what king. Doctor needs to SEE the wound.

Please get to a Doctor before it causes complications!Thanks,
CM
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7052683 tn?1392938795
I am going to re-post your question for better answers. Hope that is ok?
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Lin17can,

I think you would get a better response if you put this under a new post heading. Like: Need advice on wound dressing my cat?

Next I am not really an expert in taking care of fight wounds. there will be many more here that can help on that front once you re-post this.

Right now I would ask is it a puncture wound or surface bit/scratch. Immediately if it is a puncture wound I would think he NEEDS an antibiotic.

I would call a vet, explain the situation and see if they can tell you what antibiotic, or how to clean the wound.

Since this is weekend you will have to call an emergency clinic. It is worth a try, until you get some better answers.
If you need me to re-post this for you I will be happy to.
CM
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Avatar universal
I'm on a really tight budget . I'm on disability so I really cannot afford a vet .I was wondering if I can give my cat a mild antibiotic . He is a 6 year old fixed male .Now I want to have him as a totally indoor cat, but he has gotten out due to company . I blame no one but myself .Try as hard as I can (but he's way faster then I am ) and although he is nuetured he likes to fight this upsets me so much it drives me to tears . I love this cat and sometimes he gets wounds hence the question Can I give him some weak antibiotic for his wound. Very rare but any help I can give him would be a major stress relief> Thank you for your time and any help you might be able to give.. Lin17can
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Happy to hear you got to the vet. It will ease your mind. Wishes for continued improvement.

CM
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Avatar universal
See the post above your question. We just returned home a few hours ago.
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi,

Just wondering if you have an update from the vet yet?

CM
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Avatar universal
The vet only found that the one rear leg had a swollen node, but no obvious reason why. Not bites, or scratches. They didn't seem to think the tick has much to do with it. Gave him fluids, pain meds, and antibiotics and we are to see if he improves in the next couple of days.

He was more himself coming home. He wanted to eat. Not sure how long the pain meds will last, but the antibiotic is good for a week or more.
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Avatar universal
Hi- I'm sorry he has a fever. I would not risk the aspirin though. I would wrap him in cool, wet towels and see if you can lower it.
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Avatar universal
I keep hearing conflicting info about the baby aspirin (1/4th of one ). Some people here suggest never to do it. Elsewhere people say that it is done all of the time. So it's confusing.

I took his temperature, and unfortunately it's 104.8. It's a fever for sure, caused by what kind of infection I don't know. I sort of suspected tooth, because his breath is that same odor, but then he has the leg thing, so that doesn't add up. He has ate and drank today, probably going to give him another drink right now.
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4190741 tn?1370177832
Never Ever Ever Never give an aspirin to a cat.  MewMew almost died from eating 1 aspirin I had dropped on the floor and couldn't  find.  She found it real fast, swallowed it and started foaming at the mouth immediately.  It was the scariest thing I have ever gone through.  
She spent 3 days in Kitty Hospital and now I only take aspirin over the sink so that if by some chance I would drop one, down the drain it will go....

Our vets are closed on weekends, but we have an emergency center 7 miles away.  The cost is the same except that you usually have to wait to have your baby seen, much like the emergency room at the People hospital.  

My girls and boys are all indoor pets, there is no telling what an animal is going to pick up or get into outside the house...That in itself is just too scary to think about...

Good luck with your vet visit in the morning.
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874521 tn?1424116797
I strongly agree with angiesmom.....I would never ever give aspirin of any strength to a cat!!!!! NO matter what the Vet tells you. they also prescribe other NSAIDS and none are safe for cats!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I have heard not to give aspirin or tylenol to cats- it can be toxic. I would use the thermometer to see what his temp really is and then just use wet towels etc. if it isn't really high or if it is high take him to the dvm. They can become dehydrated pretty quickly with a fever.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/a/cats-aspirin.htm
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Avatar universal
That is a sad story. What is the troubling in bringing a cat's temperature down if they're still holding out? I don't understand things like that.
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Avatar universal
Also, if his ears and head are cool, does that mean he doesn't have a fever or is there no way to tell without a thermometer?
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Avatar universal
I talked to a vet on the phone today, and they said possibly give him baby aspirin if he has a fever. But, I don't have a thermometer and haven't taken his temp to know. Could giving him baby aspirin interfere with the examination? Possibly delay bloodwork, or other things he needs done?
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Avatar universal
I forgot, you can take his temperatures also: over 102.5 is a fever for a cat. You can use a digital thermometer with a lubricant. If he has a high fever he needs to be seen right away and he will need fluids etc. You can wrap him in towels dunked in ice water to cool him also.
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Avatar universal
It sounds like he may have a cut on his leg, I would inspect and cleanse and apply antibiotic ointment if so. You can clean his ears with a cotton ball and warm water and a little hydrogen peroxide, or get an ear cleaner at petco. I hope he is not too sick. Keep a close eye on him as advises and bring him in tomorrow morning.Good luck!
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
Hi, ok. It's Sunday. So based on you taking kitty to the vet tomorrow here's a few things I'd do until Monday morning.
   Please keep kitty inside.  The black gunk in the ears may be ear mites. Since it's so late in the game, leave the ears alone. The Vet will show you how to clean ears with swabs on the outer parts only.
    It may be a good idea to isolate kitty in your extra bath room or small room away from busy parts of the house. That way you can make sure kitty is drinking & monitor how much eating.
     I'd go in with kitty. Comb fur if kitty likes it. If you find another tick,save it in a glass jar with a lid, & bring to Vet tomorrow.
    Or, just spend time with kitty today.
     I had a kitten that by the time the vet could see her, he said, her temperature was so high, there was no way she should be alive. She was hanging on because I refused to stop holding her, taking to her, & in general the adorable darling was staying alive for me. It was sooo sad.
      I hope your kitty is not that sick. Keep us posted.      Pamela
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