Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 7/12/2009

Question
I have a stray cat that i have been feeding and caring for the best I can for 3 years, he suddenly developed diarrhea about 10-11 days ago , he was very very sick and ate very little if any, he drank some, he slept alot, he didnt look good at all, WE CANNOT CATCH HIM< he is a nice cat but we tried everything , even a trap! I stopped due to stressing him while he was sick and thought he was going to die, Suddenly one day he came to eat and I had been putting dishes of several items out to see if he would eat, he ate them all and waits now for the last 3 days to eat. eats good, looks good, had eye discharge that is better, I got antibiotics for him as my vet does have record on him for worming, I am giving these now but this is not when he started eating better, he still has diarrhea (soft kind, not watery) the only thing now is he has stiffness when getting up or walking, I dont know what to think about this, it worries me as now he looks so much better from whatever was ailing him, We do know he has been killing baby rabbits before he got sick, I give him pedialyte but dont know how much to give him, I read where low pottasium can make then stiff, wouldnt he be by now getting that back due to eating alot better? Please let me know and thanks in advance, Again we cant catch him and he is a nice cat. He looks so good now except for the diarrhea and stiffness, Cathy


Answer
Cathy -

Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what is going on with your kitty because I do not have the benefit of a physical exam.  Lack of potassium can cause them to have a very stiff neck but I do not think that is the reason why the cat is sick.  I understand that he may be difficult to catch, but without a physical exam, no one will be able to help him.


Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM