Cat acting odd and not eating

[SarahBee]

Hi,

I'm new on here and have just come on for a bit of help. My little cat is acting really odd today. The last few days he's not been eating as normal. He's still been eating, but has just been leaving the last little bit in his bowl. Normally he wolfs his food down, so I thought it was a little odd, but put it down to him going off his food as sometimes he does this, and he's also been eating my other cats food, so wasn't that worried. Today, he's not eaten at all and is acting very very strange. On a whole, he's acting normal other than a little subdued, but every time a fly goes anywhere near him, he bolts it with his tail between his legs and gets as far away as he can. He then starts grooming himself quite an anxious way. I'm taking him to the vets this evening, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything like this. He's never had a fear of flies before - normally he chases them, so I'm wondering if he may have been stung by something and it's created this anxiety?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Sarah

[Jacks]

Sounds like he's been stung, and it may not be easy to see where. Have you noted where he's grooming?

[SarahBee]

He's not grooming in one specific place. It's almost as it's an anxiety response whenever he sees a fly or hears the buzzing. He just runs off and then starts grooming himself in a way I've never seen him do it before

[meriad]

agree with Jacks - sounds like he's been stung by a bee or wasp. Poor boy, but if that is the case and he's now weary of all things flying then probably not a bad thing.

Will be interesting to see what the vet says this evening; please would you let us know?

thanks

[SarahBee]

Vet couldn't find anything wrong with him at all! Temperature was fine, no stings, no nothing. He's hydrated and looks healthy. Vet gave us some feliway to try and ease his anxiety and I'm going to feed him tuna to see if he'll eat that. If he does we'll stick with some kind of food we'll know he'll eat for a couple of days then re-assess. Don't think I'd have taken him to the vets today if it was mid week, think I'd have given him another day or two, but given it's the weekend just wanted to double check it was nothing serious

[bobbys girl]

Did the vet check his mouth for stings? Purdy once got stung on the side of her mouth. It was difficult to see, but we saw it happen and knew where to look. It happened at the weekend and we had to call the emergency vet. She was very subdued for 48 hrs. but it hasn't stopped her chasing bees!

I think you were right to see the vet. Hope your little man is feeling better soon.

[Crewella]

I would have thought it was a sting too - I hope he's feeling better soon.

[SarahBee]

Hi all,

Yes vet checked inside his mouth twice, and under his tongue. Absolutley nothing. Vet said just to keep a close eye on him. Given him tuna this morning to try and get him to eat something and he hasn't touched his food. He's still really subdued I'm so worried, especially as vet couldn't find anything wrong

[Jacks]

It does sound a worry - is he drinking at all? Can you get some cat milk from the supermarket and see if he'll drink? If he's really not eating anything it's a worry and I would take him back. Keep a close eye over the weekend and if he gets lethargic as well or starts hiding you'll need to find a vet who is open I think...

[SarahBee]

He's drinking a bit but not much. He really really struggled to drink this morning which is making me still wonder if it's a sting and the vet just missed it. He's gone outside as normal today. He's subdued but still wants to be out exploring and doing things

[greenkitty]

I wonder if you gave him half a Piriton just in case it is a sting that would help and certainly wouldn't do any harm... It must be Piriton though and not any other antihistamine, they can half a tablet 3 times a day.

[bobbys girl]

That sound like a good idea. If it is a sting and it's in his mouth/throat that might explain his reluctance to eat or drink. The Piriton will help with any swelling. Does he seem like he is having problems swallowing?

[SarahBee]

Okay I may try that. He seems to be having trouble when he does try and eat. He are the tuna last night but much slower than he'd normally eat anything. Just find it odd this is still going on and seemingly getting worse as he's gradually taken a drop over the last few days. Surely if it was a sting he'd be picking up, not getting worse?

[Grace56]

Could it be his teeth. That might cause him to have trouble eating.
I hope you find an answer soon. Do let us know how your boy gets on.

[SarahBee]

Samson seemed to pick up a bit over the weekend. He still wasn't eating properly, but Saturday night and all of yesterday he ate more, played and seemed considerably brighter in himself. Today he's gone back to being really subdued and hasn't touched his food. I don't get it. Vet is saying he's fine and he looks healthy, but I know my cat and he isn't. I don't know what to do. I'm starting to worry it's something serious

[greenkitty]

I think I'd be inclined to take him back again, the vet may have missed something and as he's not showing much sign of improvement I think it would be wise to get him checked again.

[Crewella]

I agree with Greenkitty. As you say - you know your cat. I hope you can get to the bottom of it and help him.

[SarahBee]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thank you to you all for your help last week. Samson is now back to his normal self, and we didn't end up needing to take him back to the vet again. He gradually started to pick up late Monday and was fully back to his normal greedy self by Wednesday. Can only think it must have been a sting of some sort given his behaviour last week. Very relieved!

Sarah x

[Jacks]

Great news, SarahBee - really difficult to see something like a sting on a cat - I'm sure you're right and just happy that he's back to normal x

[bobbys girl]

That's great news Sarah! Glad he is feeling better, bet you are too!

[Crewella]

So glad he's feeling better.