Upset over Runt (cat)

[sfreeman8]

She ate last night. We gave her milk, too, hoping she would poop. No such luck yet with that. She's acting a bit strange, as if she couldn't see or hear for a day or two, but she seems to be coming around. We've been keeping her outside in a large carrier because she was so weak, she couldn't make it back to the litter box in the house. We had one put in the carrier. We would cover it with a blanket at night so night animals wouldn't know she's there.

Today, she is following me around, but she won't come past the living room into the hallway or into my office like she used to. For a while, she was hiding her head in any corner she could find. i took her back to show her the litter box and put her on the floor. All she did was walk around in circles until i left the room, and she followed.

She's stronger now that she's eating. Hubby bought milk for Momma and her but it turned out to be fat free (he doesn't read containers, just grabs) and Runt is acting her picky self. She won't drink it. But she is eating mackeral and I gave her a tbsp. of dry food. She ate that, too. She's meowing too. I think she's on the road to recovery.

To be on the safe side, I cleaned the dog carrier (it's been outside for 4 months) and brought it back inside for her with litter box and her bed. She will be inside tonight. Hopefully, she won't meow all night.

[kaat1220]

Contrary to popular opinion, milk is not good for cats. Most cats are lactose intolerant. They have what is called KMR (kitty milk replacement), but milk is not necessarily going to help her poop; she needs water for that. However, I would get her on some wet food so she does not become dehydrated. Wet food is cheap, and it's 70% water so it will give her some calories while also hydrating her enough to poop.

The truth is that there are too many illnesses that present with the same symptoms. She could have eaten something she shouldn't have; it could be neurological; there is simply no way to know what is wrong with her without taking her to the veterinarian. If you know of any animal groups in the area, they may help you with her symptoms, and guide you on what to do.

If you have a good friend that will lend you money for the vet, I'd do that.

Better that, than have something happen to her, then you will always wonder what you could have done to save her, and you will beat yourself up over it.

I hope she makes it.

My cats are my family . . .

[swell455]

Their instinct does do that to their owner's on occasion. Try to get rest and let people who live around you know, and cross your fingers. I hope they return.

[sfreeman8]

Contrary to popular opinion, milk is not good for cats. Most cats are lactose intolerant. They have what is called KMR (kitty milk replacement), but milk is not necessarily going to help her poop; she needs water for that. However, I would get her on some wet food so she does not become dehydrated. Wet food is cheap, and it's 70% water so it will give her some calories while also hydrating her enough to poop.

I hope she makes it.

My cats are my family . . .

I know milk isn't good for cats, but for so long, A long time ago, I read that they can get diarrhea from the milk. No problem. Hubby bought fat free milk instead of whole milk and she definitely didn't like it!  She wouldn't drink just water. We tried chicken broth, too, without results.

Yesterday, i had taken her into the back room where her litter box is, put her down by it, but all she did was walk in circles. So, I left the room and she followed. For the rest of the day, she stayed in the living room/kitchen area. I thought maybe she had an eye problem because she looked at our shoes and followed them as we walked around. It bothered me but....

Today, she is eating well. First it was a tablespoon, then 2, and now she's eating everything we give her. We're giving her canned fish and I mixed a little chicken broth with dry cat food. She is starting to feel better. She's walking a lot more and she's back to talking to us. I brought the large carrier in the house and made it up with a small litter box and her bed and last night, she automatically went in it when hubby told her to! This morning, she ate really good and followed me to the back room but still didn't use the litter box there. She's now taking her morning nap.  She still didn't poop but like hubby said, she had no food in her stomach for 4 days so it may take a day or two for "stuff" to get moving again.

Whatever it was, I think she survived and is over it. I can't feel every bone in her body like I could a couple days ago when she first got sick. She is the first cat we've had since my Patches II died 17 years ago (she was 16), so I am a little rusty in their care.

Thank you, everyone for suggestions and caring. it meant a lot.

[kaat1220]

Have you tried making tuna water? It looks disgusting to us, but she may drink it. Also, if she will not drink, get a syringe (not the needle kind), and gradually give her around 5 cc of water a few times per day. Do it slowly so she does not aspirate. Sometimes, you have to gently make them eat/drink. I am dealing with two cats with kidney issues, and I am having to force-feed one, and give him water through a syringe. I put a bit of wet food on my finger and he licks it off. If he doesn't, i gently pry open his mouth and swipe a small bit on his tongue (only if he is not a biter though). Be careful not to give too much at once, allow the cat to swallow and do another.

I would check your yard and nearby properties for plants that can kill or make cats sick. It sounds as if she may have gotten into something.

Is it possible to keep her in the house from now on?

I know it's great to let cats out to feel fresh air on their face, but there are so many things out there that can harm them.

As long as they are fed, have a litter box, have toys, and windows, they will adjust.

Please keep us updated as to her progress.