Ask Me Help Desk - Sudden change in cat.

Hi everyone,

I have an 7 y/o tuxedo cat, short hair. He's an active cat, usually runs around the place and is chatty. However, when my husband and I came home from work, we found a few places he had thrown up. This isn't really... uncommon with our cat as he sometimes eats too fast and gets sick from it. Our vet knows about this and says as long as it isn't violent and often, then he's OK. He usually gorges himself 1-2x a month. But today, we found a few spots where he did get sick, and one of them had a pinkish tint to it. He's been acting very lethargic since we got home. I haven't seen him eat, but he has been drinking some water since we came in. He hasn't gone to the bathroom either, but, that could be because he doesn't have to go. When he does go, he doesn't have difficulty or pain.

We took him to the vet a couple weeks ago and he had a good check up. We took him to the vet to deal with a tapeworm situation and he has fully expelled the worm. We have another cat who is acting normal. Does anyone have any clues? He is on an indoor formula for indoor cats as well.

Thanks!

Small update: He has eaten a couple of treats in the past hour or so, and has gone to the bathroom (urinated). He also walked around a bit more, but is still not his usual self.

Hi, iDuckie!

Well obviously, the best advice would be that from a veterinarian. However, having had cats all of my life, I know that certain types of changes in the environment can bring about changes in the behavior of a cat.

Anything new or different happening in your household lately? Also, has there been a recent change in the type of food that he's given?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, iDuckie!

Well obviously, the best advice would be that from a veterinarian. However, having had cats all of my life, I know that certain types of changes in the environment can bring about changes in the behavior of a cat.

Anything new or different happening in your household lately? Also, has there been a recent change in the type of food that he's given?

Thanks!

No change in food... we actually wouldn't change it since it would send a shock through their system since both cats have been on the same food since we got them. There has been an extra amount of stress this month since Christmas is not a good time for either my husband or I, but this is the first year the cat has acted oddly and we've had him around 6 years now. The only difference between this year and say, for example last year, is that we are at home for Christmas instead of out of town.

This morning he had a little more pep to him, but it still a bit out of place. I'm going to observe him a bit more as much as I can today and see if it was just a fluke.

Animals can sense when we're upset or stressed. It could be just his sensing of the stress you and your husband have right now.

OK, he's 7. Did your vet run bloodwork to detect his kidney and liver function? Elevations in these enzymes causes nausea and vomiting. If all within normal limits, you have a good baseline to fall back on if he does become ill. Another reason for vomiting is ingesting odd things: bugs, plants, string, tinsel. If he was acting lethargic, that suggests the formentioned or a foreign body present. If no improvement, seek vet attention again. It's always a bad thing if vomiting persists and/or becomes worse. A foreign body present in his colon can cause obstruction of his bowels, infection, localized tissue death. Not trying to freak you out, just don't let it continue thinking it might get better! We perform exploratory surgeries in December on cats in our practice more than any other time-not all with good outcomes. Good luck!