You people are driving me crazy!
I have just replied to FOUR postings by people with obviously very sick cats who are asking board members – who are NOT vets – what they should do!
For God’s sake, take your sick animals to the vet!
Don’t ask us, we don’t know what’s going on!
A CAT IS SICK & SHOULD SEE THE VET WHEN IT:
-suddenly stops eating.
-suddenly loses weight.
-suddenly gets a pot-belly, esp. if the bulge is hard.
-has any open wounds or lumps.
-mopes around and hides.
-suddenly starts piddling outside the box even when it’s clean.
-has any discharge at its nose.
-has dark/black blood in the stool.
-can’t urinate at all & strains at the box.
-loses fur all over its body.
-has a change in eating habits, i.e. a nibbler suddenly bolts its food or a cat that eats in one sitting suddenly starts picking at its food.
-staggers, shakes or falls down.
-twists into a pretzel shape.
-has convulsions.
-can’t be woken up.
And that’s just the most obvious symptoms!
You MUST remember that cats hide illness for long periods of time, and only show symptoms when they’re too weak to put up a front anymore. Once a cat shows strong medical symptoms, it may be too late.
Learn your cat’s behavior so that you notice changes in its attitude or behavior. If any behavior change persists for 48 hours, it may be a sign of illness.
Even if it means an emergency-hospital visit in the middle of the night, for God’s sake, take it there!
PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!