Pls help! Kitty not eating, hiding, not herself!!

[NoAngel]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi All, my 13 year old female calico mix kitty (cutest kitty in the world) has stopped eating and is acting rather strangely. She is hiding under the desk, refuses all food, including tuna and catnip, and wants to be left alone.

She did meow and complian a little bit when I picked her up, but she didn't want to be held. I put her down and she's been under the desk since then.

She's had her regular food and was acting typically throughout the morning. She didn't come to greet my husband but she did greet me tonite.

Her brother is on Tapazole for overactive thyroid, and I'm wondering if she could be feeling ill from accidentely getting some of that. Otherwise she's an indoor kitty and in perfect health.

Does is go without saying she's my favorite?

 

[UCFGrad]

I am not a vet student, but I did have a cat for 21 years before he passed away. At about 18 yrs. old, my cat refused to eat anything and wanted to be left alone. This was very unlike his typical behaviour. After a day or two with no food or water, I began to give him Pedialyte and also took him to a vet for subcutaneous fluid injections. He still would not eat, until I tried giving him Chicken flavour Gerber Baby food, heated slightly. I found out later that it was his teeth that were the culprit. Because I had not given him dental cleanings (i did not know to do so), he had multiple abcesses in his mouth. By then he was too old to get a dental cleaning, but an antibiotic called Clavomax would always boast his desire to eat. So he lived many years on the soft food diet of meat baby food, and shredded chicken. He finally died of bloating caused by internal hemorrage. I recommend to everyone to get their animals dental cleanings regularly. I grew up with that cat, and had him for most of my life. It was devastating to lose him...

 

[Biogirl361]

Hi, I am a predental student (the irony) can i brush my cat's teeth myself, or is that something the vet normally does at routine checkups, or do you have to ask them to? i don't think my cat will sit still for a prophy...

 

[medtechv79]

You can brush yer cats teeth yerself...thanks for reminding me all! I need to keep doing that daily. I'm bad with that....I use a cleaning solution from the vet...I just drop it in...and his own saliva is supposed to help cleanse the teeth with the solution. Or you can use a toothbrush and some type of toothpaste!

 

[VeganSoprano]

She has to go to the vet NOW. Cats hide illness - when they act a little sick, they may be very sick. Hiding and refusing food are both very serious symptoms.

Find the location of the nearest emergency vet and take her there.

 

[lookingforluck]

....i second the motion of taking her to the vet... NOW!!!

also, i really wouldn't recommend starting a teeth cleaning routine that is not directly by your vet! And at 13, its a little late to begin just by brushing...she probably needs a full cleaning first. (if thats even the problem, which i doubt..)

anyway, I hope shes doing better, but please take her to see someone!

 

[!dr_nick!]

My cats do not tolerate invasion of their mouths. As I live by myself, I cant restrain them AND brush at the same time, so any tips on how to clean their teeth? Or do i just need to take them to the pros? I would be a bit nervous to sedate my own animals just to brush their teeth

 

[NoAngel]

Hi everyone,

I spoke to the Emergency Vet and told them what I posted about. She isn't hiding anymore; has more of an appetite and is acting more like herself. She will be going to the vet on Monday for a check up. At times she refuses food, but the hiding behind the desk thing scared me. her stomach isnt' bloated, she drinking normal water and doesn't appear in acute distress now. She's playful and affectionate.

Should I add that her Mom and Dad have been under a great deal of stress lately?

FIY -- she does get regular dental cleanings. She's gotten them since she was five years old and her vet did her last this spring.

Thanks to those who posted. Any ideas on what could be causing her to eat less than normal? Urine output normal, stools normal color, form and consistency, belly soft and nondistended, acting appropriately.
Again, many thanks for your help.